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Social Challenges. Early Singapore. Singapore’s Social Landscape over Time. Exploring the Challenges and Overcoming them!. 1950s-1960s. Rapid population growth Post-war baby boom Peace & stability Economic recovery Norm 6-7 children! 1.02 million (1950) 1.64 million 1960
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Social Challenges Early Singapore
Singapore’s Social Landscape over Time Exploring the Challenges and Overcoming them!
1950s-1960s • Rapid population growth • Post-war baby boom • Peace & stability • Economic recovery • Norm 6-7 children! • 1.02 million (1950) 1.64 million 1960 Challenges! KKH record for the world’s busiest maternity hospital in 1966! 39,835 babies!
Some Problems • Unemployment • Shortage of housing • Strain on healthcare services • Insufficient education
Population vs Developmental Goals Needs of Citizens vs Needs of the State
1966-1981 • SFPPB - Singapore Family Planning & Population Board (1966) • 3 5-year plans introduced • 1966 need for smaller families • 1971 Encouraged married couples to ‘stop at two’ • 1976 To maintain the replacement level at 2.1 children How did you think this was achieved?
Some measures • Contraception was legalized • Voluntary sterilization was legalized in 1969 • For women who had completed family formation • 1974 for anyone who wants it • 1969 Abortion Act • Up to 16th week of pregnancy • 1974 amended Abortion Act – up to 24th week • No paid maternity leave for 3rd & subsequent children • No priority in allocation of government flats • No income tax relief for 4th & subsequent children • Delivery charges to increase with additional child To what extent do you think the state should influence individual choices?
Compelling campaigns? Individual choice? Were the 5-year plans successful?
More recently… • SFPPB was dissolved in June 1985 • Family planning now under the Ministry of Health • 1987 pre-sterilization counseling made compulsory for couples with < 2 children • 1987 pre & post-abortion counseling made compulsory for women with < 3 children