More getting divorced, fewer getting married in Singapore
Posted 13 Jul 2016 11:12 Updated 13 Jul 2016 23:27
SINGAPORE: More couples ended their marriages while fewer tied the knot last year, according to Department of Statistics (Singstat) data released on Wednesday (Jul 13).
The number of divorces and annulments rose 2.9 per cent, with 7,522 marriages dissolved, up from the 7,307 dissolutions in the previous year.
A total of 28,322 couples tied the knot last year, down from the 28,407 marriages registered in 2014. The number of Muslim marriages rose from 5,544 to 5,778, helping to mitigate the decline in the number of civil marriages from 22,863 to 22,544.
MORE OLDER COUPLES DIVORCING
Between 2005 and 2015, there was a “significant shift” in the age profile of divorcees, with an increase in the number of older couples getting divorced, Singstat said.
Among men, the proportion of divorcees aged 45 years and above rose from 30 per cent in 2005 to 42.4 per cent last year. For women, the proportion rose from 20.1 per cent to 27.5 per cent.
The median age at divorce was 42.9 for men and 38.8 for women, up from 39.1 years and 35.4 years, respectively, in 2005.
Marriages also did not last as long, with the median marriage duration for divorces in 2015 at 10 years, slightly shorter than the 10.4 years in 2014.
Among civil divorces, the largest group was couples who were married for five to nine years (31.5 per cent). This was followed by those who were married for 20 years or longer, accounting for 21.3 per cent of all civil divorces.
For Muslim divorces, couples who were married for less than five years, and between five and nine years formed the largest groups in 2015, each accounting for 26.8 per cent. Next were the couples who were married for 20 years or longer at 18.3 per cent.
More than half (53.7 per cent) of plaintiffs in civil divorces cited “unreasonable behaviour” as the main reason for divorce, while 42.6 per cent cited “having lived apart or separated for three years or more”. In 61.6 per cent of the cases, the divorce was initiated by the woman.
Among Muslim divorces in 2015, “infidelity or extra-marital affair” was the top reason for divorcing, accounting for more than one in five divorces. The second-most common reason for divorce was “desertion” for male plaintiffs, and “financial problems” for female plaintiffs.
MORE MARRYING LATER
Many are choosing to marry later, with the median age for marrying rising from 29.8 years old in 2005 to 30.3 years old for grooms in 2015, and from 26.9 years old to 28.2 years old for brides.
Among first marriages, those with grooms older than brides were still the norm. However, the proportion had dropped to 66.8 per cent in 2015 from 73.7 per cent a decade ago.
Inter-ethnic marriages have become more common, making up 21.5 per cent of marriages last year, up from 14.9 per cent in 2005. Such marriages made up a larger proportion among Muslim marriages (33.8 per cent) than among civil marriages (18.4 per cent) last year.
More men are also marrying women with equal or higher educational qualifications. The proportion of university-educated grooms marrying brides with the same qualification rose from 71.1 per cent in 2005 to 80.3 per cent in 2015 for civil marriages, and from 46.2 per cent to 59.9 per cent for Muslim marriages.
Marriages involving minors – those aged below 21 years – remained uncommon, making up 0.2 per cent of grooms and 1.1 per cent of brides in civil marriages. For Muslims, the proportions declined to 1.5 per cent of grooms and 4.2 per cent of brides in 2015, from 3.5 per cent and 12.9 per cent, respectively, in 2005.
PARENTING PROGRAMME FOR DIVORCING PARENTS
To protect children whose parents are going through a divorce, the Mandatory Parenting Programme will be launched at the end of the year, Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said in a blogpost on Wednesday.
“The programme will give them time and space to think deeply about issues they will face, both during and after divorce, and how they can protect their children's interests will be emphasised in all they do,” he said.
He also pointed out that the Ministry of Social and Family Development and its partners run marriage preparation and enrichment programmes for couples who run into marriage problems.
“These programmes will help us, as husbands and wives, to better understand and communicate with each other. It will give us skills to resolve conflicts when they arise,” Mr Tan said.
“A good marriage brings joy and deep fulfilment. But it will require our dedication and constant effort to maintain it. As much as we can, let's commit to our spouses and our marriage,” he added.
- CNA/cy
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Thursday, July 14, 2016
新加坡统计局：本地去年结婚率持平 离婚率微升
新加坡统计局：本地去年结婚率持平 离婚率微升
13/07/2016 16:01
新加坡统计局：本地去年结婚率持平 离婚率微升
?
本地去年的结婚率，和2014年基本持平。而离婚率则略微上升。社会及家庭发展部长陈川仁表示，当局注意到这个变化，将进一步为离婚夫妇提供辅导和帮助，尤其是有年幼孩童的家庭。
新加坡统计局今天发布的数据显示，本地去年共有2万8322对新人注册结婚，比2014年略少了85对，基本持平。另外，离婚的夫妻则有7522对，和前年相比增加了215对，也就是略微上涨了2.9%。
社会及家庭发展部长陈川仁通过博客表示，去年的结婚和离婚数据和往年相比，没有太大的变化。但是注意到了离婚率略微上升。他表示，离婚对任何夫妻都不容易，尤其是一些家庭还有孩子牵扯其中。
当局将在今年年底推出强制性育儿辅导计划，为有年幼孩童的离婚夫妻提供帮助。社会及家庭发展部也将在社区，继续推出多种婚姻辅导项目，以协助夫妻更好地进行交流，解决纠纷。
- CH8/YW
- wong chee tat :)
13/07/2016 16:01
新加坡统计局：本地去年结婚率持平 离婚率微升
?
本地去年的结婚率，和2014年基本持平。而离婚率则略微上升。社会及家庭发展部长陈川仁表示，当局注意到这个变化，将进一步为离婚夫妇提供辅导和帮助，尤其是有年幼孩童的家庭。
新加坡统计局今天发布的数据显示，本地去年共有2万8322对新人注册结婚，比2014年略少了85对，基本持平。另外，离婚的夫妻则有7522对，和前年相比增加了215对，也就是略微上涨了2.9%。
社会及家庭发展部长陈川仁通过博客表示，去年的结婚和离婚数据和往年相比，没有太大的变化。但是注意到了离婚率略微上升。他表示，离婚对任何夫妻都不容易，尤其是一些家庭还有孩子牵扯其中。
当局将在今年年底推出强制性育儿辅导计划，为有年幼孩童的离婚夫妻提供帮助。社会及家庭发展部也将在社区，继续推出多种婚姻辅导项目，以协助夫妻更好地进行交流，解决纠纷。
- CH8/YW
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
More getting married, fewer getting divorced in Singapore
More getting married, fewer getting divorced in Singapore
However, many are choosing to marry later, with 30-34 years old now the peak age group for marriages, according to the annual Department of Statistics report on statistics on marriages and divorces. One in five marriages is now inter-ethnic.
POSTED: 29 Jul 2015 10:54 UPDATED: 29 Jul 2015 15:04
SINGAPORE: The number of marriages in Singapore rose 8.2 per cent last year compared to 2013, while the number of divorces and annulments fell 2.9 per cent, according to Department of Statistics (Singstat) data released on Wednesday (Jul 29).
However, many are choosing to marry later, according to the annual report on statistics on marriages and divorces. One in five marriages conducted is now inter-ethnic.
Singstat said a total of 28,407 marriages were registered in 2014, comprising 22,863 civil marriages and 5,544 Muslim marriages. This was up from the 26,254 total marriages registered the previous year.
Still, many are choosing to marry later, with marriage rates among those below 30 years old lower in 2014 compared to a decade ago, while the opposite trend was observed for those aged 30 years and above.
The peak age group for females marrying has shifted from 25-29 years old in 2004 to 30-34 years old in 2014, according to the data. For males, the peak age group remained unchanged at 30-34 years old.
The median age for marrying rose from 29.4 years old in 2004 to 30.2 years old for grooms in 2014, and from 26.7 years old to 28.2 years old for brides.
Inter-ethnic marriages have become more common, making up 20.4 per cent of marriages last year, up from 13.1 per cent in 2004.
More men are also marrying women with equal or higher educational qualifications. The proportion of university-educated grooms marrying brides with the same qualification rose from 71.9 per cent in 2004 to 80.9 per cent in 2014 for civil marriages, and from 48.9 per cent to 57 per cent for Muslim marriages.
FEWER DIVORCES, ANNULMENTS
A total of 7,307 marriages were dissolved last year, either through divorces or annulments – down 2.9 per cent from the 7,525 dissolutions in the previous year.
The decline was mainly due to a drop in the number of civil marital dissolutions from 5,863 in 2013 to 5,618 in 2014. The number of Muslim divorces remained comparable during the same period at 1,662 and 1,689, respectively.
The median age at divorce rose in the last 10 years, with males getting divorced at the median age of 42.6 and females at 38.4 last year, up from 39 years and 35.3 years, respectively, in 2004.
The median marriage duration for divorces in 2014 was 10.4 years, up from 9.2 years in 2004. Among civil divorces, couples who were married for 5 to 9 years consistently accounted for the largest group (30.5 per cent) in 2014, followed by those who were married for 20 years or longer (21.2 per cent).
Among civil divorces in 2014, the top two main reasons for divorce were “unreasonable behaviour” (51.9 per cent) and “having lived apart or separated for three years or more” (44.8 per cent). Female plaintiffs constituted the majority (62.9 per cent) of civil divorces last year.
Among Muslim divorces, “infidelity or extra-marital affair” (21.9 per cent) was the top reason given for divorce in 2014. This was followed by “financial problems” (15.7 per cent) and “desertion” (11.8 per cent).
In 2014, there were 446 annulments, up from the 392 annulments in 2013 (13.8 per cent increase). The median duration of marriages that were annulled in 2014 was 1.9 years, a marginal increase from 1.8 years in 2011 to 2013.
- CNA/cy
- wong chee tat :)
However, many are choosing to marry later, with 30-34 years old now the peak age group for marriages, according to the annual Department of Statistics report on statistics on marriages and divorces. One in five marriages is now inter-ethnic.
POSTED: 29 Jul 2015 10:54 UPDATED: 29 Jul 2015 15:04
SINGAPORE: The number of marriages in Singapore rose 8.2 per cent last year compared to 2013, while the number of divorces and annulments fell 2.9 per cent, according to Department of Statistics (Singstat) data released on Wednesday (Jul 29).
However, many are choosing to marry later, according to the annual report on statistics on marriages and divorces. One in five marriages conducted is now inter-ethnic.
Singstat said a total of 28,407 marriages were registered in 2014, comprising 22,863 civil marriages and 5,544 Muslim marriages. This was up from the 26,254 total marriages registered the previous year.
Still, many are choosing to marry later, with marriage rates among those below 30 years old lower in 2014 compared to a decade ago, while the opposite trend was observed for those aged 30 years and above.
The peak age group for females marrying has shifted from 25-29 years old in 2004 to 30-34 years old in 2014, according to the data. For males, the peak age group remained unchanged at 30-34 years old.
The median age for marrying rose from 29.4 years old in 2004 to 30.2 years old for grooms in 2014, and from 26.7 years old to 28.2 years old for brides.
Inter-ethnic marriages have become more common, making up 20.4 per cent of marriages last year, up from 13.1 per cent in 2004.
More men are also marrying women with equal or higher educational qualifications. The proportion of university-educated grooms marrying brides with the same qualification rose from 71.9 per cent in 2004 to 80.9 per cent in 2014 for civil marriages, and from 48.9 per cent to 57 per cent for Muslim marriages.
FEWER DIVORCES, ANNULMENTS
A total of 7,307 marriages were dissolved last year, either through divorces or annulments – down 2.9 per cent from the 7,525 dissolutions in the previous year.
The decline was mainly due to a drop in the number of civil marital dissolutions from 5,863 in 2013 to 5,618 in 2014. The number of Muslim divorces remained comparable during the same period at 1,662 and 1,689, respectively.
The median age at divorce rose in the last 10 years, with males getting divorced at the median age of 42.6 and females at 38.4 last year, up from 39 years and 35.3 years, respectively, in 2004.
The median marriage duration for divorces in 2014 was 10.4 years, up from 9.2 years in 2004. Among civil divorces, couples who were married for 5 to 9 years consistently accounted for the largest group (30.5 per cent) in 2014, followed by those who were married for 20 years or longer (21.2 per cent).
Among civil divorces in 2014, the top two main reasons for divorce were “unreasonable behaviour” (51.9 per cent) and “having lived apart or separated for three years or more” (44.8 per cent). Female plaintiffs constituted the majority (62.9 per cent) of civil divorces last year.
Among Muslim divorces, “infidelity or extra-marital affair” (21.9 per cent) was the top reason given for divorce in 2014. This was followed by “financial problems” (15.7 per cent) and “desertion” (11.8 per cent).
In 2014, there were 446 annulments, up from the 392 annulments in 2013 (13.8 per cent increase). The median duration of marriages that were annulled in 2014 was 1.9 years, a marginal increase from 1.8 years in 2011 to 2013.
- CNA/cy
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Men dare not date her
Men dare not date her
Ng Ping Ping, 37, says part of the reason she is single is because she is tall, especially in heels, and guys have told her they feel scared to approach her.
The number of singles, aged 35 and older, has spiked in the past 10 years. Life asks singles such as Ms Ng Ping Ping, 37, about their dating lives
By Venessa Lee
Ms Ng Ping Ping, 37, says that among other things, men are most intimidated by her height.
At 1.71m tall, the Asia-Pacific sales manager for a haircare range is usually in five-inch heels.
"Heels make me feel more well-dressed. It's a bit of a power thing for me," she says, adding that she feels she has a palpable presence when she walks into a meeting or makes a presentation in heels.
"I'm quite an alpha female: I'm confident, assertive," she says. "Very seldom does anyone come up to talk to me when my friends and I go out for drinks."
Her guy friends have told her they would be afraid to approach her.
"A male friend told me, 'I feel sorry for people like you. You're good- looking, with a good career. Our egos are too big to approach someone like you, we don't want to be rejected,'" she says.
A male friend told me, 'I feel sorry for people like you. You're good-looking, with a good career. Our egos are too big to approach someone like you, we don't want to be rejected.'''
MS NG PING PING, 37, who has been single for about three years
Although she has been single for about three years, being "old school", she does not actively look for dates and prefers to be introduced to friends of friends who can verify if anyone has a bad track record in relationships.
She finds it hard to meet men through work as most of her career has been in retail, especially in women-dominated fashion retail.
Although she does not "need a guy to pay for me because I can pay for myself", she would like him to share similar interests.
"He should be able to enjoy the kind of lifestyle I lead and make me laugh," she says.
"I eat well, drink well and travel well."
She appreciates fine tipples such as 18-year-old Glenfiddich whisky, and enjoys staying at "good resorts" where she is particular about how comfortable the bed and sheets are.
Because she "doesn't want to be running after kids at 50", she is glad to play with her four-year-old nephew for half an hour each time, before returning him to her elder sister, 40, who works in the conventions and exhibitions industry.
Her last relationship of seven years with an Australian oil and gas executive, who was based in Kuala Lumpur like she was in recent years, ended because "our characters were too strong".
She is looking for mutual strength and support in a relationship, where she and her partner can "take turns to be alpha".
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/men-dare-not-date-her#sthash.fQQFE9CI.dpuf
- wong chee tat :)
Ng Ping Ping, 37, says part of the reason she is single is because she is tall, especially in heels, and guys have told her they feel scared to approach her.
The number of singles, aged 35 and older, has spiked in the past 10 years. Life asks singles such as Ms Ng Ping Ping, 37, about their dating lives
By Venessa Lee
Ms Ng Ping Ping, 37, says that among other things, men are most intimidated by her height.
At 1.71m tall, the Asia-Pacific sales manager for a haircare range is usually in five-inch heels.
"Heels make me feel more well-dressed. It's a bit of a power thing for me," she says, adding that she feels she has a palpable presence when she walks into a meeting or makes a presentation in heels.
"I'm quite an alpha female: I'm confident, assertive," she says. "Very seldom does anyone come up to talk to me when my friends and I go out for drinks."
Her guy friends have told her they would be afraid to approach her.
"A male friend told me, 'I feel sorry for people like you. You're good- looking, with a good career. Our egos are too big to approach someone like you, we don't want to be rejected,'" she says.
A male friend told me, 'I feel sorry for people like you. You're good-looking, with a good career. Our egos are too big to approach someone like you, we don't want to be rejected.'''
MS NG PING PING, 37, who has been single for about three years
Although she has been single for about three years, being "old school", she does not actively look for dates and prefers to be introduced to friends of friends who can verify if anyone has a bad track record in relationships.
She finds it hard to meet men through work as most of her career has been in retail, especially in women-dominated fashion retail.
Although she does not "need a guy to pay for me because I can pay for myself", she would like him to share similar interests.
"He should be able to enjoy the kind of lifestyle I lead and make me laugh," she says.
"I eat well, drink well and travel well."
She appreciates fine tipples such as 18-year-old Glenfiddich whisky, and enjoys staying at "good resorts" where she is particular about how comfortable the bed and sheets are.
Because she "doesn't want to be running after kids at 50", she is glad to play with her four-year-old nephew for half an hour each time, before returning him to her elder sister, 40, who works in the conventions and exhibitions industry.
Her last relationship of seven years with an Australian oil and gas executive, who was based in Kuala Lumpur like she was in recent years, ended because "our characters were too strong".
She is looking for mutual strength and support in a relationship, where she and her partner can "take turns to be alpha".
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/men-dare-not-date-her#sthash.fQQFE9CI.dpuf
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Nearly 14,700 foreign spouses on long-term visit passes in Singapore
Nearly 14,700 foreign spouses on long-term visit passes in Singapore
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave this update, after NCMP Gerald Giam asked in Parliament how many foreign spouses of Singapore citizens have social visit passes, Long Term Visit Passes and an immigration status.
SINGAPORE: As of Dec 31, 2014, there were 14,694 foreign spouses in Singapore on a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or a Long Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+).
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave this update in written parliamentary reply on Thursday (Jan 29) to a query from Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam. Mr Giam had asked about the number of foreign spouses who have social visit passes, LTVP and an immigration status which makes them ineligible to work in Singapore.
Mr Teo, who is also the Home Affairs Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, said details on the number of foreign spouses who enter Singapore as social visitors is not available. He said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not track this statistic.
- CNA/xk
- wong chee tat :)
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave this update, after NCMP Gerald Giam asked in Parliament how many foreign spouses of Singapore citizens have social visit passes, Long Term Visit Passes and an immigration status.
SINGAPORE: As of Dec 31, 2014, there were 14,694 foreign spouses in Singapore on a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) or a Long Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+).
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave this update in written parliamentary reply on Thursday (Jan 29) to a query from Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam. Mr Giam had asked about the number of foreign spouses who have social visit passes, LTVP and an immigration status which makes them ineligible to work in Singapore.
Mr Teo, who is also the Home Affairs Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, said details on the number of foreign spouses who enter Singapore as social visitors is not available. He said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority does not track this statistic.
- CNA/xk
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, March 24, 2014
Monday, January 21, 2013
More than S$8.3b disbursed in tax rebates to encourage procreation
More than S$8.3b disbursed in tax rebates to encourage procreation
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 20 January 2013 1802 hrs
SINGAPORE: The government last year gave out more than S$8.3 billion in tax rebates and reliefs aimed at encouraging procreation in the Year of Assessment 2012.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore also told Channel NewsAsia that more than 850,000 working mums and dads enjoyed such tax breaks in 2012.
Thirty-six-year-old assistant marketing manager Lum Sook Fong collected nearly S$27,000 in child tax reliefs last year.
Together with other rebates, the working mother of two ended up not paying any taxes to the government at all.
Madam Lum said: "I know there should be some kind of relief but exactly what amount, I didn't know until I get the statement, so I was kind of surprised because the amount is quite substantial."
Currently, there are three kinds of rebate and reliefs aimed at supporting working mums with children.
They are: Parenthood Tax Rebate of up to S$20,000 per child; the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Reliefs; and the Working Mother Child Relief.
Both the Parenthood Tax Rebate and the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Relief can be claimed by both mums and dads.
Sums worked out by tax consultant Ernst & Young show that working mums earning about S$94,500 to S$351,000 a year don't have to pay any taxes after taking into account the Parenthood Tax Rebate, the Working Mother Child Relief, and other tax breaks like the Foreign Maid Levy Relief.
This applies to a Singaporean tax payer aged 55 and below, married, with three children.
There are various monetary incentives to support families, including cash gifts like the Baby Bonus.
Those Channel NewsAsia spoke to say while such incentives can ease the financial burden of bringing up baby, money isn't everything.
It may encourage those who already have children to have more but it may not change the minds of couples who don't want any children in the first place.
Joni Ong, president of advocacy group I Love Children said: "I agree that money is useful but money isn't everything. I believe if you love children and you want to have children to complete your family, no matter how much money is there or not there, you will proceed to have the babies anyway."
Experts said what is needed is a supportive environment at home and at work, among other things.
"For my case, I would think it would be useful as well if the Baby Bonus is higher because what we have, could only tied us for the first few years. After that, I have to start paying cash for their childcare," said Madam Lum.
She added: "Another part is also the family support like maybe having grandparents to be there to take care of the kids. As a working mum, I would say that the environment is very important and also the work-life balance that we have."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 20 January 2013 1802 hrs
SINGAPORE: The government last year gave out more than S$8.3 billion in tax rebates and reliefs aimed at encouraging procreation in the Year of Assessment 2012.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore also told Channel NewsAsia that more than 850,000 working mums and dads enjoyed such tax breaks in 2012.
Thirty-six-year-old assistant marketing manager Lum Sook Fong collected nearly S$27,000 in child tax reliefs last year.
Together with other rebates, the working mother of two ended up not paying any taxes to the government at all.
Madam Lum said: "I know there should be some kind of relief but exactly what amount, I didn't know until I get the statement, so I was kind of surprised because the amount is quite substantial."
Currently, there are three kinds of rebate and reliefs aimed at supporting working mums with children.
They are: Parenthood Tax Rebate of up to S$20,000 per child; the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Reliefs; and the Working Mother Child Relief.
Both the Parenthood Tax Rebate and the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Relief can be claimed by both mums and dads.
Sums worked out by tax consultant Ernst & Young show that working mums earning about S$94,500 to S$351,000 a year don't have to pay any taxes after taking into account the Parenthood Tax Rebate, the Working Mother Child Relief, and other tax breaks like the Foreign Maid Levy Relief.
This applies to a Singaporean tax payer aged 55 and below, married, with three children.
There are various monetary incentives to support families, including cash gifts like the Baby Bonus.
Those Channel NewsAsia spoke to say while such incentives can ease the financial burden of bringing up baby, money isn't everything.
It may encourage those who already have children to have more but it may not change the minds of couples who don't want any children in the first place.
Joni Ong, president of advocacy group I Love Children said: "I agree that money is useful but money isn't everything. I believe if you love children and you want to have children to complete your family, no matter how much money is there or not there, you will proceed to have the babies anyway."
Experts said what is needed is a supportive environment at home and at work, among other things.
"For my case, I would think it would be useful as well if the Baby Bonus is higher because what we have, could only tied us for the first few years. After that, I have to start paying cash for their childcare," said Madam Lum.
She added: "Another part is also the family support like maybe having grandparents to be there to take care of the kids. As a working mum, I would say that the environment is very important and also the work-life balance that we have."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
调查：八成单身国人 想婚和多生育
Thursday, 03 January 2013 22:45
调查：八成单身国人 想婚和多生育
.
国家人口及人才署的最新调查显示，多数单身人士希望结婚，也希望生育至少两个孩子。
国家人口及人才署委托的调查是以4500名年龄介于21到45岁的国人作为研究对象。调查发现，83%的单身人士想要结婚，和2007年的调查结果相似。单身人士没有结婚的三大理由是，找不到合适的伴侣，想要专注于事业和学业，以及没有足
够的钱。
有交往对象却没有结婚的人，则是因为要筹钱买房子和准备婚礼，以及年纪太轻而延迟结婚。
调查也发现，80%的单身人士和84%的已婚人士想要生育至少两个孩子。那些不愿再生育孩子的受访者表示，经济能力和缺乏托儿安排是最大阻力。
大约七成接受调查的单身和已婚人士认为，过了35岁生育不会有问题，当局表示，这显示很多人不知道随着年龄的增长，生育能力会下降。
在工作与生活平衡方面，八成单身人士认为他们的工作与生活达到平衡，不过一些方面有待改进。而八成的女性受访者希望兼顾家庭和工作，选择部分时间工作或全职工作的女性则不相上下。
- wong chee tat :)
调查：八成单身国人 想婚和多生育
.
国家人口及人才署的最新调查显示，多数单身人士希望结婚，也希望生育至少两个孩子。
国家人口及人才署委托的调查是以4500名年龄介于21到45岁的国人作为研究对象。调查发现，83%的单身人士想要结婚，和2007年的调查结果相似。单身人士没有结婚的三大理由是，找不到合适的伴侣，想要专注于事业和学业，以及没有足
够的钱。
有交往对象却没有结婚的人，则是因为要筹钱买房子和准备婚礼，以及年纪太轻而延迟结婚。
调查也发现，80%的单身人士和84%的已婚人士想要生育至少两个孩子。那些不愿再生育孩子的受访者表示，经济能力和缺乏托儿安排是最大阻力。
大约七成接受调查的单身和已婚人士认为，过了35岁生育不会有问题，当局表示，这显示很多人不知道随着年龄的增长，生育能力会下降。
在工作与生活平衡方面，八成单身人士认为他们的工作与生活达到平衡，不过一些方面有待改进。而八成的女性受访者希望兼顾家庭和工作，选择部分时间工作或全职工作的女性则不相上下。
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
S'pore rocked by spate of sex scandals in 2012
S'pore rocked by spate of sex scandals in 2012
By Claire Huang | Posted: 31 December 2012 1754 hrs
SINGAPORE: 2012 has been a year of sex scandals in Singapore.
In April, 44 men were charged with having sex with the same underage girl.
The number of men implicated in the online vice ring case swelled to 51 after some time.
The lack of details in the charges drew barbs.
"How is anybody going to know what he is charged for when you don't know who the girl is, you do not know what her age is? We just can't accept the word of the prosecution isn't it?" said lawyer Subhas Anandan.
"Well, we are going to ask the prosecution, the DPP, to give us further particulars. If they do not give us the further particulars, we will take it up in the High Court."
This was resolved later when certain details were disclosed to the defence.
As at mid-Dec 2012, more than 15 men have been dealt with.
The first was former principal of Pei Chun Public School, Lee Lip Hong. He pleaded guilty in April, and was sentenced to nine weeks' jail.
Following him was former executive director of the Singapore Environment Council, Howard Shaw, who was sentenced in July and aborted his appeal.
The saga is far from over as many have claimed trial, so there will be a spillover to 2013.
Outside of courts, the state of affairs was equally dramatic.
An apology came because of the indiscretion of the former Speaker of Parliament, Michael Palmer.
Mr Palmer's year-long affair with People Association's (PA) Laura Ong led to his resignation.
He said: "I have resigned to take full responsibility for a grave mistake that I have committed. I had a relationship with a member of the PA staff working in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. While the individual did not work with me directly, Punggol East used to be part of the GRC and continues to work with it. My conduct was improper and it was a serious error of judgement. I have resigned in order to avoid further embarrassment to the PAP and Parliament."
Former Hougang MP Yaw Shin Leong was also expelled from the opposition Workers' Party in February for alleged extra-marital affairs, nine months after he was elected.
Come January, three heavyweights will be jostling for the spotlight in courts.
Professor Tey Tsun Hang will start the ball rolling with his sex-for-grades trial on 10th January.
Then in January, ex-Civil Defence Force top gun, Peter Lim, will be in court for corruption charges. His trial is slated to end in late February.
In late January, the sex-for-contracts case against former Central Narcotics Bureau chief Ng Boon Gay, will be mentioned again.
In September, Ng's corruption trial took Singapore by storm, as he and key prosecution witness Cecilia Sue, gave graphic accounts of their relationship.
The judiciary looks set to get busier in the new year, when City Harvest Church's six core members return to court, on accusations of misappropriating funds.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Claire Huang | Posted: 31 December 2012 1754 hrs
SINGAPORE: 2012 has been a year of sex scandals in Singapore.
In April, 44 men were charged with having sex with the same underage girl.
The number of men implicated in the online vice ring case swelled to 51 after some time.
The lack of details in the charges drew barbs.
"How is anybody going to know what he is charged for when you don't know who the girl is, you do not know what her age is? We just can't accept the word of the prosecution isn't it?" said lawyer Subhas Anandan.
"Well, we are going to ask the prosecution, the DPP, to give us further particulars. If they do not give us the further particulars, we will take it up in the High Court."
This was resolved later when certain details were disclosed to the defence.
As at mid-Dec 2012, more than 15 men have been dealt with.
The first was former principal of Pei Chun Public School, Lee Lip Hong. He pleaded guilty in April, and was sentenced to nine weeks' jail.
Following him was former executive director of the Singapore Environment Council, Howard Shaw, who was sentenced in July and aborted his appeal.
The saga is far from over as many have claimed trial, so there will be a spillover to 2013.
Outside of courts, the state of affairs was equally dramatic.
An apology came because of the indiscretion of the former Speaker of Parliament, Michael Palmer.
Mr Palmer's year-long affair with People Association's (PA) Laura Ong led to his resignation.
He said: "I have resigned to take full responsibility for a grave mistake that I have committed. I had a relationship with a member of the PA staff working in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. While the individual did not work with me directly, Punggol East used to be part of the GRC and continues to work with it. My conduct was improper and it was a serious error of judgement. I have resigned in order to avoid further embarrassment to the PAP and Parliament."
Former Hougang MP Yaw Shin Leong was also expelled from the opposition Workers' Party in February for alleged extra-marital affairs, nine months after he was elected.
Come January, three heavyweights will be jostling for the spotlight in courts.
Professor Tey Tsun Hang will start the ball rolling with his sex-for-grades trial on 10th January.
Then in January, ex-Civil Defence Force top gun, Peter Lim, will be in court for corruption charges. His trial is slated to end in late February.
In late January, the sex-for-contracts case against former Central Narcotics Bureau chief Ng Boon Gay, will be mentioned again.
In September, Ng's corruption trial took Singapore by storm, as he and key prosecution witness Cecilia Sue, gave graphic accounts of their relationship.
The judiciary looks set to get busier in the new year, when City Harvest Church's six core members return to court, on accusations of misappropriating funds.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
40 couples start new year by renewing marriage vows
40 couples start new year by renewing marriage vows
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 01 January 2013 2200 hrs
SINGAPORE: Forty couples chose to ring in the New Year with a difference.
They renewed their marriage vows in the presence of family and friends.
For the oldest couple of the night - it has been 60 years of marriage.
The event, "PAssionate Love by the Lake", aims to celebrate marriage and to bring families closer together.
It is organised by the Family Life Champions of Boon Lay, Clementi, Pioneer, Yew Tee and Yuhua divisions.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 01 January 2013 2200 hrs
SINGAPORE: Forty couples chose to ring in the New Year with a difference.
They renewed their marriage vows in the presence of family and friends.
For the oldest couple of the night - it has been 60 years of marriage.
The event, "PAssionate Love by the Lake", aims to celebrate marriage and to bring families closer together.
It is organised by the Family Life Champions of Boon Lay, Clementi, Pioneer, Yew Tee and Yuhua divisions.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, December 14, 2012
More Supplementary Retirement Scheme accounts opened at year-end
More Supplementary Retirement Scheme accounts opened at year-end
By Linette Lim | Posted: 13 December 2012 1928 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) accounts are opened in the month of December each year, according to banks in Singapore.
The SRS is a voluntary savings scheme and administered by three local banks.
OCBC Bank said SRS account openings this month can be more than five times that of other months.
As the year comes to a close, financial advisors said more clients are topping up SRS accounts in order to qualify for tax savings.
Launched by the government in 2001, the scheme encourages people to put aside money for their retirement. This is over and above what they have in their mandatory CPF accounts.
The money can only be withdrawn at retirement age, which currently stands at 62, but only half of it will be taxed upon withdrawal.
Wong Sui Jau, General Manager of Fundsupermart.com, said: "It works based on a deferred tax scheme, so for monies that you actually put into the SRS, it will not count towards your chargeable income. I think the biggest benefits is for people in high-income tax brackets, because it allows them to reduce their chargeable income for tax."
The number of SRS account holders is growing at above 10 per cent each year since the scheme began.
The take-up rate for the scheme is modest, relative to the size of the taxable population.
There are more than a million taxable individuals in Singapore as at 2010, according to official statistics.
However, not everyone pays tax as their income could be too low.
Assuming only those with an annual income above $40,000 pays tax, there are around 720,000 tax-paying individuals. Out of this, only slightly more than 70,000 are SRS account holders.
This means only 10 per cent of people who are eligible to open an SRS account have done so.
Wong Sui Jau added: "SRS is not like your CPF ordinary account or special account where you have special interest rates you will receive. The interest rate is no different from what you get if you put it in a bank which almost definitely mean you will really need to invest it because this is money that is going to be locked up for the long term."
Money in SRS accounts can be used to invest in stocks and insurance, and the investment returns are accumulated tax-free.
Still, experts say the SRS is not for everyone. For example, it may not be appropriate for those with many dependents under their charge.
Chew Hock Beng, Associate Director of Financial Advisory Group, Financial Alliance, said: "They probably have to take care of four parents for a married couple, and two to three kids, so a lot of money have been used for expenses."
According to DBS, SRS contributors should make sure that they have adequate disposable income and emergency funds, because premature withdrawals will incur a 5 per cent penalty and will be 100 per cent taxed.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Linette Lim | Posted: 13 December 2012 1928 hrs
SINGAPORE: More Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) accounts are opened in the month of December each year, according to banks in Singapore.
The SRS is a voluntary savings scheme and administered by three local banks.
OCBC Bank said SRS account openings this month can be more than five times that of other months.
As the year comes to a close, financial advisors said more clients are topping up SRS accounts in order to qualify for tax savings.
Launched by the government in 2001, the scheme encourages people to put aside money for their retirement. This is over and above what they have in their mandatory CPF accounts.
The money can only be withdrawn at retirement age, which currently stands at 62, but only half of it will be taxed upon withdrawal.
Wong Sui Jau, General Manager of Fundsupermart.com, said: "It works based on a deferred tax scheme, so for monies that you actually put into the SRS, it will not count towards your chargeable income. I think the biggest benefits is for people in high-income tax brackets, because it allows them to reduce their chargeable income for tax."
The number of SRS account holders is growing at above 10 per cent each year since the scheme began.
The take-up rate for the scheme is modest, relative to the size of the taxable population.
There are more than a million taxable individuals in Singapore as at 2010, according to official statistics.
However, not everyone pays tax as their income could be too low.
Assuming only those with an annual income above $40,000 pays tax, there are around 720,000 tax-paying individuals. Out of this, only slightly more than 70,000 are SRS account holders.
This means only 10 per cent of people who are eligible to open an SRS account have done so.
Wong Sui Jau added: "SRS is not like your CPF ordinary account or special account where you have special interest rates you will receive. The interest rate is no different from what you get if you put it in a bank which almost definitely mean you will really need to invest it because this is money that is going to be locked up for the long term."
Money in SRS accounts can be used to invest in stocks and insurance, and the investment returns are accumulated tax-free.
Still, experts say the SRS is not for everyone. For example, it may not be appropriate for those with many dependents under their charge.
Chew Hock Beng, Associate Director of Financial Advisory Group, Financial Alliance, said: "They probably have to take care of four parents for a married couple, and two to three kids, so a lot of money have been used for expenses."
According to DBS, SRS contributors should make sure that they have adequate disposable income and emergency funds, because premature withdrawals will incur a 5 per cent penalty and will be 100 per cent taxed.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Commitment triumphs over divorce despite stress factors: survey
Commitment triumphs over divorce despite stress factors: survey
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 11 December 2012 1437 hrs
SINGAPORE: Nearly half of the respondents surveyed in a recent marriage study have considered divorce at some point.
But all stuck it out due to a sense of commitment to marriage, the influence of family, friends and religious advisers, and as they worry that their children may be negatively affected in a divorce.
Professional counselling was also found to be useful.
Over 450 married individuals were surveyed in the study commissioned by Marriage Central.
The study, conducted from February to May this year, aims to identify resilience factors that can mitigate marriage crises.
It revealed the common stress points in a marriage include infidelity, interference by in-laws and differences in aspirations.
Principal investigator Dr Mathew Mathews, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, said: "It shows that there are different agents which are acting in that process -- family, the community, broader messages around and notions of commitment are all there, and I think these things help to keep couples wanting to walk through their relationship rather than giving up."
Marriage Central - a workgroup under the National Family Council - said the findings indicate that there is hope for troubled marriages in Singapore.
Marriage Central chairperson, Anita Fam, said: "I think what came through very, very clearly, was the idea of commitment - that no matter how things are, if you decide to stick it through, there's more than a fighting chance."
The workgroup intends to share the findings with voluntary welfare organisations and other stakeholders so that they may develop more resources and programmes for building resilient marriages in Singapore.
It was also well corroborated in the study that early intervention to marital problems had great merit. Hence it has been recommended that marriage preparation programmes, which target soon-to-be-married couples, incorporate a complementary post-marriage counselling session to encourage couples to discuss teething problems in their relationship early and build resiliency.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 11 December 2012 1437 hrs
SINGAPORE: Nearly half of the respondents surveyed in a recent marriage study have considered divorce at some point.
But all stuck it out due to a sense of commitment to marriage, the influence of family, friends and religious advisers, and as they worry that their children may be negatively affected in a divorce.
Professional counselling was also found to be useful.
Over 450 married individuals were surveyed in the study commissioned by Marriage Central.
The study, conducted from February to May this year, aims to identify resilience factors that can mitigate marriage crises.
It revealed the common stress points in a marriage include infidelity, interference by in-laws and differences in aspirations.
Principal investigator Dr Mathew Mathews, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, said: "It shows that there are different agents which are acting in that process -- family, the community, broader messages around and notions of commitment are all there, and I think these things help to keep couples wanting to walk through their relationship rather than giving up."
Marriage Central - a workgroup under the National Family Council - said the findings indicate that there is hope for troubled marriages in Singapore.
Marriage Central chairperson, Anita Fam, said: "I think what came through very, very clearly, was the idea of commitment - that no matter how things are, if you decide to stick it through, there's more than a fighting chance."
The workgroup intends to share the findings with voluntary welfare organisations and other stakeholders so that they may develop more resources and programmes for building resilient marriages in Singapore.
It was also well corroborated in the study that early intervention to marital problems had great merit. Hence it has been recommended that marriage preparation programmes, which target soon-to-be-married couples, incorporate a complementary post-marriage counselling session to encourage couples to discuss teething problems in their relationship early and build resiliency.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, December 10, 2012
12 December a popular date to get hitched
12 December a popular date to get hitched
By Melody Chan, Karen Ng | Posted: 09 December 2012 2055 hrs
SINGAPORE: 12 December this year will hold a special significance for some 540 couples.
Many couples have picked the date 12-12-12 to tie the knot.
Couples say the repetitive numbers make it easier for them to remember the date of their wedding anniversary.
Also, such a special date will not come by for another century.
Based on statistics on the Registry of Marriages website, the number of couples that chose to get hitched this coming Wednesday is about four times more than the usual number seen in a weekend in December.
The auspicious date is also driving up demand for car rentals.
Some car rental companies say there is a 30 per cent increase in bookings for 12 December, compared to a regular weekday.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Melody Chan, Karen Ng | Posted: 09 December 2012 2055 hrs
SINGAPORE: 12 December this year will hold a special significance for some 540 couples.
Many couples have picked the date 12-12-12 to tie the knot.
Couples say the repetitive numbers make it easier for them to remember the date of their wedding anniversary.
Also, such a special date will not come by for another century.
Based on statistics on the Registry of Marriages website, the number of couples that chose to get hitched this coming Wednesday is about four times more than the usual number seen in a weekend in December.
The auspicious date is also driving up demand for car rentals.
Some car rental companies say there is a 30 per cent increase in bookings for 12 December, compared to a regular weekday.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
社交发展网出新招 “约会礼券”助升结婚率
社交发展网出新招 “约会礼券”助升结婚率
.
记者：吴俍祥
新闻视频
为提升结婚率，社会及家庭发展部属下的社交发展网首次推出约会礼券，希望单身人士的亲友在帮忙拉红线时能出一份力。
这些面值10元的约会礼券，要买几张不受限。社交发展网指出，单身男女更容易受亲友影响。因此当局希望鼓励亲友购买约会券送给单身的亲人，好让他们参加更多联谊。
礼券只能在11家通过当局鉴定的红娘公司消费，限用于新加坡公民和永久居民。约会礼券可在网上购买，或拨打当局热线询问。红娘公司的活动收费一般介于10元到1000元不等。
另外，当局将会在这个月29日到明年2月2日，一连五个星期举办约会节，举办天数比去年多了一倍。约会节期间也将举办一个速配晚宴，当局希望能够打破435名单身人士参与的南非世界纪录，或是改写52人的新加坡纪录大全。参加活动的单
身人士都能获得100元的津贴，比去年的25元多。
不过，社会及家庭发展部代部长陈振声也表示，津贴的多寡并不是重点，这些活动的重点，是要让国内的年轻单身人士，有更多机会来认识其他的朋友，或是扩大他们的社交圈子。
- wong chee tat :)
新闻视频
为提升结婚率，社会及家庭发展部属下的社交发展网首次推出约会礼券，希望单身人士的亲友在帮忙拉红线时能出一份力。
这些面值10元的约会礼券，要买几张不受限。社交发展网指出，单身男女更容易受亲友影响。因此当局希望鼓励亲友购买约会券送给单身的亲人，好让他们参加更多联谊。
礼券只能在11家通过当局鉴定的红娘公司消费，限用于新加坡公民和永久居民。约会礼券可在网上购买，或拨打当局热线询问。红娘公司的活动收费一般介于10元到1000元不等。
另外，当局将会在这个月29日到明年2月2日，一连五个星期举办约会节，举办天数比去年多了一倍。约会节期间也将举办一个速配晚宴，当局希望能够打破435名单身人士参与的南非世界纪录，或是改写52人的新加坡纪录大全。参加活动的单
身人士都能获得100元的津贴，比去年的25元多。
不过，社会及家庭发展部代部长陈振声也表示，津贴的多寡并不是重点，这些活动的重点，是要让国内的年轻单身人士，有更多机会来认识其他的朋友，或是扩大他们的社交圈子。
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, October 27, 2012
New marriage & parenthood measures to be announced
New marriage & parenthood measures to be announced
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 26 October 2012 1844 hrs
SINGAPORE: New pro-family and pro-baby initiatives are expected to be announced early next year, in conjunction with the release of the White Paper on Population.
They will cover a wide spectrum of areas, including support for housing, medical costs and childcare.
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Chan Chun Sing, said beyond monetary incentives, the key is in getting Singaporeans to give as much priority to starting a family as they do to their careers.
He was speaking to the media, sharing priorities for the new Social and Family Development Ministry, which he will helm from November 1.
Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2 is a far cry from the replacement level of 2.1.
The government recently set a new target -- to raise the TFR to 1.4 or 1.5.
Mr Chan admitted it is "a stretch target", but not impossible to achieve.
"If you look at the other equivalent Asian societies, I think quite a number of (their TFRs) are below 1," said Mr Chan.
"If we can encourage and help our people to settle down earlier, and if we can encourage those who have settled down to have their first baby earlier, then it is possible."
He explained: "If you look at it at a very mathematical or mechanical sense, a birth (takes place with) about a two-year interval on average, so if people settle down a bit earlier and have their first child a bit earlier, then they won't run up the biological clock of both the male and the female, and then you will have the chance to reach the stretch target."
The decision to get married and have children is deemed as a personal one, and that is a challenge which the government has to overcome in encouraging Singaporeans to settle down early.
The government intends to promote the joys of family among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan said his ministry will work with agencies such as the National Population and Talent Division as well as the Education Ministry to strengthen the transmission of such values.
He also stressed that families play a crucial role in encouraging marriage and parenthood.
"You give up something, perhaps your ability to travel a few weeks overseas to an exotic place, you may give up some of the other (lifestyle) patterns but you gain something else," he said.
"I always remember this advice, from one of my seniors: there is never a perfect time to get married or to have a child because all conditions are right, but the perfect time is when you have made the commitment to overcome life's challenges with your partner to build a family."
Heeding practical concerns, the government will also roll out new measures under the Marriage and Parenthood package.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned some of them during his National Day Rally Speech in August.
Some measures include more help with housing for young couples, subsidies for infant care and childcare as well as a Medisave account for every child at birth.
Mr Chan said details will be revealed by the individual ministries-in-charge.
- CNA/xq
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 26 October 2012 1844 hrs
SINGAPORE: New pro-family and pro-baby initiatives are expected to be announced early next year, in conjunction with the release of the White Paper on Population.
They will cover a wide spectrum of areas, including support for housing, medical costs and childcare.
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Chan Chun Sing, said beyond monetary incentives, the key is in getting Singaporeans to give as much priority to starting a family as they do to their careers.
He was speaking to the media, sharing priorities for the new Social and Family Development Ministry, which he will helm from November 1.
Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2 is a far cry from the replacement level of 2.1.
The government recently set a new target -- to raise the TFR to 1.4 or 1.5.
Mr Chan admitted it is "a stretch target", but not impossible to achieve.
"If you look at the other equivalent Asian societies, I think quite a number of (their TFRs) are below 1," said Mr Chan.
"If we can encourage and help our people to settle down earlier, and if we can encourage those who have settled down to have their first baby earlier, then it is possible."
He explained: "If you look at it at a very mathematical or mechanical sense, a birth (takes place with) about a two-year interval on average, so if people settle down a bit earlier and have their first child a bit earlier, then they won't run up the biological clock of both the male and the female, and then you will have the chance to reach the stretch target."
The decision to get married and have children is deemed as a personal one, and that is a challenge which the government has to overcome in encouraging Singaporeans to settle down early.
The government intends to promote the joys of family among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan said his ministry will work with agencies such as the National Population and Talent Division as well as the Education Ministry to strengthen the transmission of such values.
He also stressed that families play a crucial role in encouraging marriage and parenthood.
"You give up something, perhaps your ability to travel a few weeks overseas to an exotic place, you may give up some of the other (lifestyle) patterns but you gain something else," he said.
"I always remember this advice, from one of my seniors: there is never a perfect time to get married or to have a child because all conditions are right, but the perfect time is when you have made the commitment to overcome life's challenges with your partner to build a family."
Heeding practical concerns, the government will also roll out new measures under the Marriage and Parenthood package.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned some of them during his National Day Rally Speech in August.
Some measures include more help with housing for young couples, subsidies for infant care and childcare as well as a Medisave account for every child at birth.
Mr Chan said details will be revealed by the individual ministries-in-charge.
- CNA/xq
Monday, June 27, 2011
ROM and ROMM resume operations at new building
ROM and ROMM resume operations at new building
By Riz Sunawan | Posted: 14 June 2011 1915 hrs
SINGAPORE : The newly-renovated Registry of Marriages (ROM) and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) resumed operations on Tuesday, and 23 couples solemnised their marriages on the first day.
The first couple to walk through the spanking-new doors at the Registry of Muslim Marriages were 27-year-old Irfan Tan Jun Sheng and his bride, 21-year-old Nurulhuda Jamal.
Their marriage was solemnised just after 9am.
They were solemnised by Deputy Registrar, Nor Razak Bin Bakar, witnessed by close family members and friends.
The solemnisation rooms open into a landscaped garden that blends with the Fort Canning Park. It's to reinforce the "Wedding in the Park" concept.
When renovations were going on, the two Registry of Marriages operated out of a temporary office at Maxwell Road.
The upgraded premise also houses Marriage Central's third resource point which provides marriage-related resources, information and programmes for soon-to-wed and married couples, with the aim to strengthen all marriages.
The new building was renovated at a cost of about S$4.2 million.
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
By Riz Sunawan | Posted: 14 June 2011 1915 hrs
SINGAPORE : The newly-renovated Registry of Marriages (ROM) and Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) resumed operations on Tuesday, and 23 couples solemnised their marriages on the first day.
The first couple to walk through the spanking-new doors at the Registry of Muslim Marriages were 27-year-old Irfan Tan Jun Sheng and his bride, 21-year-old Nurulhuda Jamal.
Their marriage was solemnised just after 9am.
They were solemnised by Deputy Registrar, Nor Razak Bin Bakar, witnessed by close family members and friends.
The solemnisation rooms open into a landscaped garden that blends with the Fort Canning Park. It's to reinforce the "Wedding in the Park" concept.
When renovations were going on, the two Registry of Marriages operated out of a temporary office at Maxwell Road.
The upgraded premise also houses Marriage Central's third resource point which provides marriage-related resources, information and programmes for soon-to-wed and married couples, with the aim to strengthen all marriages.
The new building was renovated at a cost of about S$4.2 million.
- CNA /ls
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Year of the Rabbit could be year of 'love cheats'
Year of the Rabbit could be year of 'love cheats'
HONG KONG : The Chinese calendar may be set to welcome in the 'Year of the Rabbit' but the new year could be auspicious for love cheats, astrologers predict, and those who want a younger partner.
China celebrates the first day of the Lunar New Year on Thursday and many Chinese people are keen on using the occasion to get a glimpse of what might be in store next year.
"The 'Year of the Rabbit' will see a lot of unusual romantic relationships," Hong Kong astrologer Anthony Cheng told AFP. "Including extra-marital affairs and relationships with huge age differences."
Cheng said husbands and wives should keep watch for wandering eyes as their trusted partners look for stimulation elsewhere, although the coming year will also be lucky for couples planning to tie the knot.
"The Year of the Rabbit is an auspicious time for marriages, so I would expect to see a lot of people taking the plunge, including famous people," he added.
"Those who are single are likely to find girlfriends or boyfriends, those who are in relationships are likely to get married, while those who are married are likely to have babies," Cheng predicted.
But women could see more health problems than usual, astrologers say, and should place a yellow gourd on their desks at work to ward off pesky colds and other ills -- no matter what bemused colleagues might think.
The predictions are made by analysing a person's birth date as shown in the Chinese Solar Calendar, one of the most keenly-watched methods for laying out one's destiny among Chinese communities around the world.
In Chinese culture, many people take the predictions seriously and even adjust their lives accordingly.
The Chinese calendar moves in 60-year cycles, meaning the world will experience similar events to those seen 60 years in the past.
In the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit is fourth in a cycle of 12 animals that represent each Chinese New Year, with the Year of the Rabbit falling between February 3, 2011 to January 22, 2012.
But seismic events aren't just reserved for matters of the heart. Weird weather patterns and natural disasters are also in the offing.
"Countries like the US, Canada and Taiwan will probably suffer from natural disasters or accidents," astrologer Alion Yeo told AFP.
"The weather will oscillate between the extremes -- it will either be extremely cold or extremely hot."
North and South Korea will continue to exchange hostilities, but the hardline Stalinist state should be more concerned about a disastrous epidemic.
"North Korea will likely witness an epidemic that would require assistance from the international community," said Peter So, a prominent Hong Kong astrologer and television personality.
Major accidents including train wrecks, fires, falling buildings or bridges are likely in Korea, India, Pakistan and throughout Africa, said Cheng, adding that Russia and China's Inner Mongolia province will experience large-scale earthquakes, with magnitudes of five or higher on the Richter Scale.
And it'll be a mixed bag for some of the world's political leaders.
China's president Hu Jintao will have luck on his side but his US counterpart Barack Obama has a so-so year in store based on the Chinese fortune-telling system, known as the Four Pillars of Destiny.
"Lady Luck will continue to shine on (Hu)," Peter So, a prominent astrologer and TV personality, told AFP. "Obama, on the other hand, would find this year very average for him, where there are many things he wants to achieve but it is unlikely that he would be successful."
- AFP /ls
Posted: 03 February 2011 0120 hrs
HONG KONG : The Chinese calendar may be set to welcome in the 'Year of the Rabbit' but the new year could be auspicious for love cheats, astrologers predict, and those who want a younger partner.
China celebrates the first day of the Lunar New Year on Thursday and many Chinese people are keen on using the occasion to get a glimpse of what might be in store next year.
"The 'Year of the Rabbit' will see a lot of unusual romantic relationships," Hong Kong astrologer Anthony Cheng told AFP. "Including extra-marital affairs and relationships with huge age differences."
Cheng said husbands and wives should keep watch for wandering eyes as their trusted partners look for stimulation elsewhere, although the coming year will also be lucky for couples planning to tie the knot.
"The Year of the Rabbit is an auspicious time for marriages, so I would expect to see a lot of people taking the plunge, including famous people," he added.
"Those who are single are likely to find girlfriends or boyfriends, those who are in relationships are likely to get married, while those who are married are likely to have babies," Cheng predicted.
But women could see more health problems than usual, astrologers say, and should place a yellow gourd on their desks at work to ward off pesky colds and other ills -- no matter what bemused colleagues might think.
The predictions are made by analysing a person's birth date as shown in the Chinese Solar Calendar, one of the most keenly-watched methods for laying out one's destiny among Chinese communities around the world.
In Chinese culture, many people take the predictions seriously and even adjust their lives accordingly.
The Chinese calendar moves in 60-year cycles, meaning the world will experience similar events to those seen 60 years in the past.
In the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit is fourth in a cycle of 12 animals that represent each Chinese New Year, with the Year of the Rabbit falling between February 3, 2011 to January 22, 2012.
But seismic events aren't just reserved for matters of the heart. Weird weather patterns and natural disasters are also in the offing.
"Countries like the US, Canada and Taiwan will probably suffer from natural disasters or accidents," astrologer Alion Yeo told AFP.
"The weather will oscillate between the extremes -- it will either be extremely cold or extremely hot."
North and South Korea will continue to exchange hostilities, but the hardline Stalinist state should be more concerned about a disastrous epidemic.
"North Korea will likely witness an epidemic that would require assistance from the international community," said Peter So, a prominent Hong Kong astrologer and television personality.
Major accidents including train wrecks, fires, falling buildings or bridges are likely in Korea, India, Pakistan and throughout Africa, said Cheng, adding that Russia and China's Inner Mongolia province will experience large-scale earthquakes, with magnitudes of five or higher on the Richter Scale.
And it'll be a mixed bag for some of the world's political leaders.
China's president Hu Jintao will have luck on his side but his US counterpart Barack Obama has a so-so year in store based on the Chinese fortune-telling system, known as the Four Pillars of Destiny.
"Lady Luck will continue to shine on (Hu)," Peter So, a prominent astrologer and TV personality, told AFP. "Obama, on the other hand, would find this year very average for him, where there are many things he wants to achieve but it is unlikely that he would be successful."
- AFP /ls
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Marriage Is Good for Physical and Mental Health, Study Finds
Marriage Is Good for Physical and Mental Health, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (Jan. 28, 2011) — The 'smug marrieds' may have good reason to feel pleased with themselves as experts now confirm that long-term committed relationships are good for mental and physical health and this benefit increases over time.
In an editorial published by student BMJ, David and John Gallacher from Cardiff University say that on average married people live longer. They say that women in committed relationships have better mental health, while men in committed relationships have better physical health, and they conclude that "on balance it probably is worth making the effort."
Men's physical health probably improves because of their partner's positive influence on their lifestyle and "the mental bonus for women may be due to a greater emphasis on the importance of the relationship," they write.
But the journey of true love does not always run smoothly, maintain the authors, pointing to evidence that relationships in adolescence are associated with increased adolescent depressive symptoms.
And not all relationships are good for you, they add, referring to evidence that single people have better mental health than those in strained relationships.
They also confirm that breaking up is hard to do, saying "exiting a relationship is distressing" and divorce can have a devastating impact on individuals. Having numerous partners is also linked with a risk of earlier death.
They conclude that while relationship failures can harm health this is not a reason to avoid them. A good relationship will improve both physical and mental health and perhaps the thing to do is to try to avoid a bad relationship rather than not getting into a relationship at all.
- wong chee tat :)
ScienceDaily (Jan. 28, 2011) — The 'smug marrieds' may have good reason to feel pleased with themselves as experts now confirm that long-term committed relationships are good for mental and physical health and this benefit increases over time.
In an editorial published by student BMJ, David and John Gallacher from Cardiff University say that on average married people live longer. They say that women in committed relationships have better mental health, while men in committed relationships have better physical health, and they conclude that "on balance it probably is worth making the effort."
Men's physical health probably improves because of their partner's positive influence on their lifestyle and "the mental bonus for women may be due to a greater emphasis on the importance of the relationship," they write.
But the journey of true love does not always run smoothly, maintain the authors, pointing to evidence that relationships in adolescence are associated with increased adolescent depressive symptoms.
And not all relationships are good for you, they add, referring to evidence that single people have better mental health than those in strained relationships.
They also confirm that breaking up is hard to do, saying "exiting a relationship is distressing" and divorce can have a devastating impact on individuals. Having numerous partners is also linked with a risk of earlier death.
They conclude that while relationship failures can harm health this is not a reason to avoid them. A good relationship will improve both physical and mental health and perhaps the thing to do is to try to avoid a bad relationship rather than not getting into a relationship at all.
- wong chee tat :)
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