Family Matters – Report of the Public Education Committee on ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Learning to stay married <strong>–</strong> and enjoying it Getting married is one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important decisions in life, yet many do not invest time and energy to learn to build a happy and lasting marriage. Couples must view marriage as lifelong and work towards keeping this commitment. The environment should be conducive for this to occur. While most Singaporeans still desire marriage as ‘part and parcel <strong>of</strong> life’, some have problems getting a life partner. Dating opportunities should be provided for such singles through <strong>the</strong> Internet, and with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> major sources <strong>of</strong> influence such as tertiary institutions and employers. To streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>se efforts, matchmaking should be re-positioned as socially acceptable and made available to <strong>the</strong> willing. Marriage preparation programmes are important to help newly-weds get used to married life. Such programmes should be made easily available in <strong>the</strong> community, such as through religious groups and 6 Reinforcing marriage as a lifelong commitment family service centres. These organisations must be identified and supported with resources and expertise to conduct <strong>the</strong> programmes. To encourage couples to attend, community groups can work with wedding-related businesses to give suitable incentives and packages. Marriage enrichment should continue throughout <strong>the</strong> different stages <strong>of</strong> a marriage. Different enrichment schemes can be developed, for example, milestone ‘marriage renewal celebrations’, and ‘couples only’ community work. Older couples should not be left out <strong>–</strong> <strong>the</strong>re should be programmes designed to help <strong>the</strong>m face <strong>the</strong> added challenges in <strong>the</strong>ir golden years. These programmes and activities will equip couples with skills and a positive mindset to manage different types <strong>of</strong> stress throughout <strong>the</strong>ir married life. Special events and efforts in <strong>the</strong> mass media can help to promote and celebrate marriage as an institution. 18
Summary <strong>of</strong> PEC recommendations Facilitate socialisation 16. Set up a 1900-ROMANCE hotline and a Romance.net website. and interaction 17. Organise a Valentine Gala/National Matchmaking Day. among singles 18. Set up a network <strong>of</strong> ‘People Connectors’. 19. Hold a Romancing Singapore Festival. Promote marriage 20. Design a pre-marriage resource kit. preparation 21. Promote marriage preparation programmes by partners. 22. Promote mentoring programmes for newly-weds. 23. Engage wedding-related businesses to encourage marriage preparation. Promote marriage 24. Promote continuous marriage enrichment. enrichment 25. Develop marriage enrichment programmes specially for older couples. Promote <strong>the</strong> institution 26. Expand Marriage Specials. <strong>of</strong> marriage 27. Engage media to promote <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> ‘Power <strong>of</strong> Two’ in marriages. 28. Set up a Marriage Exhibition. 29. Customise marriage certificates and marriage vows. Research 30. Conduct a study on divorce in Singapore. 31. Conduct a survey on marriage preparation and marriage enrichment. 19
Page 1 and 2: Family Mat
Page 3 and 4: Family Mat
Page 5 and 6: Family matters <st
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTS PAGE 1 Introduction 7 2 Ba
Page 9 and 10: 1 Introduction Do we know how our y
Page 11 and 12: Men and women are sometimes faced w
Page 13 and 14: 2 Back to basics Even as th
Page 15 and 16: 4 Public education
Page 17 and 18: 5 Imbuing the youn
Page 19: Mrs. Michele Seth with her children
Page 23 and 24: 7 Promoting family life and <strong
Page 25 and 26: Mrs. Alice Chew, a retiree, dishes
Page 27 and 28: Summary of PEC rec
Page 29 and 30: 9 Family matters I
Page 31: Family Mat

Family Matters – Report of the Public Education Committee on ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?