Multigenerational Families In Singapore

Multigenerational Families in Singapore

Introduction

In Asian culture, close relational ties within multigenerational families is important to maintain. “Traditional contract” and “Filial piety” had been discussed commonly when it comes to intergenerational relationships. And “Filial piety” is commonly used in Singapore, especially in Chinese culture, filial piety would be built in the minds of Chinese people, however, in reality, there are still some problems. Thus, further researches have to be done to explore the Singaporean reality regarding multigenerational relationships.A qualitative study was done to discuss on grandparenting in Singapore society and to evaluate the intergenerational relationships. Followings are the findings and discussions.

Findings and discussion

An exploration of the “Practice” of “Interdependence” In Singapore, “filial piety” is well known, as an exchange of reciprocal ties takes place over the lifespan of two generations. The exchanges occur every day via various forms. Elderly is not only the recipient also provider in certain periods. However, due to different values and cultures, Singapore is dealing with the aging population with specific strategies. Interdependence is highly valued in Singapore. In Singapore culture, physical and financial interdependence have a time lag, E.g., the grandparents taking care of grandchildren when they are young, and parents taking care of the grandparents when they are old.

The same concept is used in the financial aspect as well. Grandparents provide financial support for parents when they were young and parents provide financial support when the grandparents are old. This situation may due to “filial piety” or continuations of the traditional contract between generations. And lack of pension may be another reason for financial interdependence. Another interdependence showed in this study is transmitting of values and cultures from grandparents to grandchildren.The findings from this study also show the emotional satisfaction of grandparents are enhanced by the success of grown-up grandchildren or activities they are doing together.

Factors affecting the extent of interdependence

Living arrangement is one of the factors. It is commonly showed that those who stay together in the same household with older generations have a closer relationship. The government had developed policies to promotes interdependence, such as encouraging young couples to buy the house that near to their parents by providing funds, developed new types of three generations flat and Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, which encourages families to stay within the same area with their parents. All generations are playing an important role regarding interdependence. Middle generations are providing the link for all generations. They help in and offering more opportunities for the alternate generations to communicate and also guiding for the younger generation while middle generation interacts with the older generation. Grandchildren are the magnets drawing together link parents and grandparents.

Social and cultural changes and future trends

With swift social changes, Singapore has experienced drastic changes in the past decades, including the increasing number of nuclear family, highly competitive work culture. Grandparents have less time to interact with grandchildren. Some of them may have inadequate capabilities and skills to participate in grandchildren’s activities.But future cohorts of elders are better educated. Not like the current cohort, the future cohorts of the elderly are likely to have enhanced language, capacities, computer, and IT skills to participate in a wider activity with their grandchildren. However, with better education and financial preparation, future grandparents may need less financial support from their children, and they may refuse to involve in caring for grandchildren. And some of the future cohort grandparents may have their retirement plans, such as traveling, working on a freelance basis. So, there may be tensions in future intergeneration relationships due to the expectations and needs of each generation.

Another challenge that we may face in the future is that more adults are working overseas and make it difficult to maintain the emotional ties within three generations. From the sociological viewpoint, the cyclical nature and timing of care are predicted. When the middle generation gets married and moved out from the older generation’s house, the relationship getting the distance. When grandchildren arrive, the relationships are getting closer. When the older generation getting older and middle generation start to take care of their parents, the relationship getter closer or distance due to the burden of caregiving. However, the cyclical may be interrupted due to migration, the sudden death of older or middle generation, terminal illness.The study suggests that we should expect changes in the nature of independence and its practice.

In future, intergenerational programs may be needed when they are the caregiver of grandchildren.Asian cultures tend to idealize the multigenerational family, because of the benefits for all generations. Singapore society is one of the versions of “ideal of multiple modernities” which combine traditions and modernization. Tensions and strains are unpreventable. So, we have to find ways to face future challenges.Reference Mehta, Kalyani K and Thang Leng Leng. 2006. Multigenerational families in Singapore