Why is MCYS so 'sexist' in offering childcare subsidies ?

[kelamel]

You know i have some clients whom are single mothers and they do not even get any subsidy because they are unmarried but are working.


Each time they seek help, they were asked to get married to get the grant…

[ChiefKiasu]

kelamel:

You know i have some clients whom are single mothers and they do not even get any subsidy because they are unmarried but are working.


Each time they seek help, they were asked to get married to get the grant.....

Now, that's tough. I didn't know that marriage is a pre-requisite for childcare subsidy. I've always thought that the goal of the childcare subsidy is to encourage women, married or not, to return to the workforce.

[GarangMama]

ChiefKiasu:

kelamel:

You know i have some clients whom are single mothers and they do not even get any subsidy because they are unmarried but are working.


Each time they seek help, they were asked to get married to get the grant.....

Now, that's tough. I didn't know that marriage is a pre-requisite for childcare subsidy. I've always thought that the goal of the childcare subsidy is to encourage women, married or not, to return to the workforce.

Actually single mothers have it real tough - they don't get the full maternity benefits (4 months leave, cash bonus, childcare subsidies, maid levy, etc etc). That's why there's been a debate in Forum about granting the same entitlements to these individuals since they are also 'doing their NS' , despite out of wedlock.

[hihimummy]

GarangMama:

Actually single mothers have it real tough - they don't get the full maternity benefits (4 months leave, cash bonus, childcare subsidies, maid levy, etc etc). That's why there's been a debate in Forum about granting the same entitlements to these individuals since they are also 'doing their NS' , despite out of wedlock.

I agree the subsidy shd be extend to single mothers too... this kind of policy is quite unfair to working single mothers who really need all the help they can get. Single mothers pay taxes too and their children are Singaporeans too.

[tamarind]

I don't think you should be blaming MCYS. Actually MCYS is only following policies set by the government


The government probably thinks that since mommy is not working and staying at home, then she should be taking of the kids at home, right ? Why does she need to put her kids in childcare centres ? Isn't mommy the best person to care for the kids ?

Childcare centres are supposed to be for kids whose mommies are working full time. A childcare centre principal once told me, that I should keep my kids at home, unless I really have no choice.

Of course, the government do not understand that not all mommies are able to take care of 2 or more young children at home single-handedly, and do all the housework, cooking, etc. Remember that most of the MPs and ministers are male, and all those female MPs definitely have maids at home. Then perhaps the solution is to lower the salary of maids and levy, so that non-working mommies can employ maids to help out at home. Better still, provide free maids

[ChiefKiasu]

tamarind:

... Better still, provide free maids

Hmm... I remember there's a phrase to describe this... oh yes... \"wait long long\".

[GarangMama]

tamarind:

I don't think you should be blaming MCYS. Actually MCYS is only following policies set by the government


The government probably thinks that since mommy is not working and staying at home, then she should be taking of the kids at home, right ? Why does she need to put her kids in childcare centres ? Isn't mommy the best person to care for the kids ?

Childcare centres are supposed to be for kids whose mommies are working full time. A childcare centre principal once told me, that I should keep my kids at home, unless I really have no choice.

Of course, the government do not understand that not all mommies are able to take care of 2 or more young children at home single-handedly, and do all the housework, cooking, etc. Remember that most of the MPs and ministers are male, and all those female MPs definitely have maids at home. Then perhaps the solution is to lower the salary of maids and levy, so that non-working mommies can employ maids to help out at home. Better still, provide free maids

Actually I'm referring to single moms who are also working full time, facing the same kind of family-work life balance issues like those who are married (in fact they have it worse...) The greatest dichotomy is that even though they are contributing to the economy, they are not enjoying the fruits of it!

I can understand if the benefits are not extended to single moms for fear that this will 'encourage' more babies out of wedlock, thus threatening the very social fabric that this society is made of (ie family units), but given the ever-increasing costs of raising a kid (or more) these days, shouldn't there be a helping gesture for this group of women too?

[RRMummy]

ChiefKiasu:

tamarind:

... Better still, provide free maids

Hmm... I remember there's a phrase to describe this... oh yes... \"wait long long\".

ChiefKiasu, I think there is an extension to your phrase... \"wait long long - also dun have ah!!\"