Benefits • Single unwed mums and their children need fairer treatment

I refer to the article “About 745 children born out of wedlock annually to Singaporean mothers in past 5 years” (Oct 15), which said the Government does not differentiate benefits that support children's growth and development based on their parents’ marital status.

- Lam Yi Lee

On paper, that may sound fair. In reality, single unwed mothers - the sole caregivers and breadwinners - face structural and financial penalties at every turn, and when the caregiver is disadvantaged, the child inevitably is too.

Single unwed mothers are excluded from key tax benefits such as the Parenthood Tax Rebate (up to $20,000 per child) and Working Mother's Child Relief ($8,000 to $12,000 yearly). A married mother with the same income can offset thousands in tax each year.