Encourage gender equality and the babies will come

The Straits Times, www.straitstimes.comPublished on Jan 22, 2011
Encourage gender equality and the babies will come
LITTLE attention has been paid to the fact that greater gender equality will yield better results in reversing the declining birth rates ('More couples saying no to having kids', last Friday; and 'Why 'Stop at two' still makes sense to me', Sunday).

Women still shoulder the brunt of childbearing responsibilities.
Empirical evidence gathered in Norway and Sweden has proved that when public policies focus on gender equality and fathers are able to help out at homes, women are more willing to have more than two children. Sweden's public policies which redressed its falling birth rate did not directly stress childbearing but strengthened a woman's attachment to the workplace and encouraged gender equality.
The Swedes introduced gender-neutral paid leave of 13 months of which at least two months must be taken by the father.
Norwegian dads are asked officially to take at least four weeks of paternity leave.
Singapore has no such leave for fathers; only childcare leave. Even so, fathers are reluctant to use them for fear of jeopardising their careers.
Without doubt, there are limitations to the Nordic model as it would mean taxpayers have to contribute more to enjoy generous childcare leave.
Meanwhile, fathers must be persuaded to participate more actively at home, instead of merely taking on roles such as playing with and disciplining the children.
For this to happen, boys have to be educated on gender equality before they become men.
Laurelle He (Ms)
Copyright © 2010 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.
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22Jan2011: Encourage gender equality and the babies will come