Introduction
Recent years have witnessed reduced birth rates in Singapore. Government studies point out that by the year 2005, the birth rate in the country had gone well beyond the internationally acknowledged replacement level of 2.1 children in every household. Several factors contribute to this. First, the diversion of focus from family matters to other economic oriented activities like focus on careers. In addition, more people are increasing their focus on making more money through increased working hours per day. On the other hand, the attitude of Singaporeans towards marriage has hit the bottom with fewer and fewer citizens deciding to live a marriage life. Unlike 1994 when for every 1000 unmarried females were 100 married ones, the figure had dropped to 42 married females for every 1000 unmarried ones (United Nations,1992).
These, however, negatively impact the community. The future of the country in terms of labor might be at risk. The country will be forced to rely on imported labor when at some point they are faced by a demographic crunch. In addition, a graying population might pose heavy burdens on the society hence slowing the economic development. This means that Singapore needs to come up with a solution to ensure that the future is not jeopardized. One of these solutions is the reliance on technology. This involves the use of the internet and other forms of interactive media to provide matchmaking services (Morgan, 2003; Rowland, 1998).
Consequently, this paper seeks to explore the importance of match making on the Singaporean population and hence ascertain the vitality of the services to the society in terms of individual, family and societal welfare.
However, putting the contextual characteristics of Singapore and viewing the issue through the prism of demographic import, the paper seeks to argue that matchmaking services are a necessity in the context of the contemporary Singaporean society.
This topic is particularly important given the inarguably center role played by the family in the economic, social and political wellbeing of an economy. Socially, the family is the center pole of society’s socialization. Furthermore, the family plays the role of first tier of defense before the matter escalates to other levels of the society. In addition, engagement in other day to day activities is subjecting the society to increased rates of divorce while others extend their ages of marriage in order to take care of other needs. The negative impacts that this phenomenon might have on the future of Singapore are drastic hence calling for an intensive analysis (Lesthaeghe & Paul, 1999; Turner, 2003).
The economic and socio-political impacts that are associated decreased birth rate and decreased family union also point out another importance of the topic. The increased laxity in the formation of the family as a basic unit of the society could be a sign of breakdown in the societal norms and roles.
Research Methodology
For a qualitative approach which forms the basis of this paper, in-depth interview were carried out on eight respondents aged between 20 and 35 years. Like most social science researches, this paper involved the use of semi-structured interview approach where several questions were brought up as a result of the responses from the respondents. Despite the somewhat open approach, the objective of the research remained the point of focus. The respondents were chosen from both genders, specifically 4 women and 4 men. The respondents were from both sides of those who had used the match making services and those who had not engaged in the same.
The research focused on the 20 to 35 age group because this is the appropriate age that most people begin to contemplate on marriage. This means that their thought would reflect the mind of those of others of the same age and who are very likely to use the matchmaking services. The research also involved the use of both genders because the service provides services for both. It was therefore necessary to identify the perspective from directions. Furthermore, it was necessary to include both genders because the decision for marriage is an affair of mutual understanding between a man and a woman.
The research, like all others, had some shortcomings. First, the sample population which involves eight respondents is too small to represent the views of the whole population of Singapore. The individual thoughts of a person might differ from others given the family and economic backgrounds. One person might offer to use the matchmaking services as a result of his technological background. On the other hand, another respondent might be inclined towards religious matters as a result of his background. The ethical considerations imposed on the match making services by religious organizations might affect the individual’s response. In summary, the diversity in backgrounds might have impacted greatly on the responses and not an independent in-depth thinking (Douglas, 1976).
Literature Review
The topic of matchmaking is among the scantily researched topics. Scholarly studies carried out are few hence making the topic a bit obscure. However, the media has also played an important part in highlighting the happenings within this industry. This paper will identify the few scholarly researches together with media highlights starting from 1980 to the current (Frejka & Jean-Pierre, 2003). All this will be aimed at pointing out that Singapore needs a matchmaking service in order to assist them meet the current demographic problems. In the scholarly research, the most common research questions have been; what types of individuals participate in matchmaking activities? On what basis are the allegations that marriages that originate from on-line services are more problematic as compared to other forms of marriage founded? Does international matchmaking have anything to do with trafficking of women? Are there policy initiatives directed towards matchmaking?
Cahill (1990) carries out a study to point out on the type of women that participate in such services. His study’s main objective was to identify whether women who participated in such services were prostitutes and poverty stricken ones as alleged in the media. He also sought to ascertain the allegations that such marriages were characterized by loveless futures. His study was carried out on marriages between Filipina women who got married to Australian males. The conclusion was that most of the women were not prostitutes and that love existed. Most of the families were normal.
Cooke (1986) sought out to ascertain whether women who participated in the services were prostitutes. In his conclusion, he argues that a small minority of women who married through such matchmaking services was initial prostitutes or worked in bars and hospitality industries. However, most of the women in the study were found to have been engaged in clerical jobs. Another big percentage was made up of professional women.
Lin (1990) carries out study on the level of satisfaction in marriages that were originally from matchmaking services. His research that involved 163 Asian women and 178 men of American nationality was carried out in America. Lin finally concludes that the level of dissatisfaction found out in the marriages was characteristically low. In addition, the level of abuse within the families was reportedly low. However, the findings called for further research considering the limited findings.
The findings are reiterated by Samonte (1986). In his research on the level of satisfaction between women and men who married after matchmaking services introduced them. Similarly, he ascertained that the level of satisfaction in families whose relationships started from matchmaking services reported a predominantly extensive satisfaction level.
Jedlicka (1988) carries out a research study whose main objective was to find out whether men who participated in such services were aggressive and abusive. This was in response to the extensive belief that such services led to marriages characterized by domestic violence and wife bartering and abuse. In her conclusion, she argues that though the research was limited following the unwarranted data interpretations, a larger percentage of men who participated in matchmaking activities were above average. Particularly, the men had exceptional communication skills and desire for enduring marriages.
However, these perceptions are in opposition of other researchers including the media who view the issue of matchmaking as a form of social ill. The picture painted by the opponents show that women are being used as victims while men gluttonously perpetrators of this ill. The most vocal of the opposing views comes from the media. Several headlines can be identified in the mainstream media accusing matchmaking agencies as perpetrators of trafficking. A good example is Davies, Daily Telegraph (1997) who’s headline screamed, “Buying wife ‘cheaper than a Ford Fiesta’ the business of finding spouses for men who want someone erotic is booming.” He further argues that men seeking women through internet sources are lacking in character and their social ability is flawed hence looking for a way they can bridge this deficit.
Donna Hughes a reputable professor in Women’s studies argues that trafficking in women is highly promoted through matchmaking and other on-line dating agencies. In one of their reports, they argue that, “…pimps who engage in trafficking in women for the purpose of sexual exploitation have developed common methods of operation…method of recruitment is marriage agencies” (Hughes, 2000: 6-7).
Data Analysis
From the data collected, it is arguable that most women and men in the Singaporean economy have sidelined the issue of marriage in order to improve their career paths and to make more money. 25 year old Kuan Lew, one of the respondents working in a small company in Bamboo Grove argues, “Marry now? Not when my career is this young. I will wait until I have climbed my career ladder.” This argument clearly portrays that some young people have placed the issue of career ahead of marriage which is given a secondary position. With career and economic stability taking the best of the Singaporeans of marriageable age, it is necessary that a facilitating technology comes to their rescue.
With the increased sense of career development and economic sense of money making, it becomes clear that people will think about how they can increase their money and raise in the career level. This leaves no room for association. As a result, it calls upon a way of facilitating the individual’s juggling between the two. Considering that the individuals spend most of their time in the office, the only way they can be helped is by allowing them to interact while in office. This can only be achieved through technological approaches like the internet. As a result, it is important that matchmaking services are promoted to help career oriented people to get their right spouses (Hirchman, 1994).
Education level is another factor that leads to problematic social set up in Singapore. 27 year old Lee Chang, a master’s student from Tengeh points out that before completing his studies, he could not marry. He says, “No master’s, no marriage.” With increased levels of education, the age of marriage is elevated. By design, very few people will get married while still in school. This means that most scholars will wait until they are through with school before contemplating on marriage. In addition, higher levels of education lead to high career expectations that impact negatively on the family institution. As mentioned earlier, career expectations are given primacy by most youth.
With increased education levels, most of the educated people will spend many years in school. Furthermore, their expectations for the future are higher than their less educated counterparts. Their interaction with technology also assumes a higher dimension. This means that the expected gains in terms of career also go higher. Consequently, the cycle continues. The elevated expectations put the issue of marriage at bay. With marriage given a peripheral position due to lack of time for interaction. It is therefore important that their technological orientation is capitalized. With matchmaking services available, the technologically averse group of learned youth will have a chance to juggle between work and interaction (Jedlicka & William, 1988).
The societal inclination towards individualism forms the third aspect towards declination of the importance of the family unit. Talking about why he remains single at age thirty, Chu Long, a resident of Tengeh working in one of the companies around said, “I was born alone and I have to look after my own life. I find it unreasonable adding more burdens on myself through marriage and family.” This indicates that most Singaporeans find marriage as an increase of burdens. Some citizens want to live alone considering that the current capitalistic society puts a lot of weight on the issue of individual growth and development.
Individualistic approaches to life can be very detrimental to the overall development. For instance, viewing a wife and kids as an economic burden could lead to forfeited marriages and no children eventually reducing beyond the replacement rate. However, this concept can be reversed if the perception that a wife is a burden is replaced by the concept that a wife is an economic assistant who brings about her economic power to put together with the husband for a better future. This can only be achieved through accurate and careful analysis of the wife one intends to marry. Unlike traditional ways of matchmaking, technologically facilitated matchmaking services allow a person to identify the most favorable woman or man through physiological and economic information given. This shows that matchmaking services will allow young people to choose wives or husbands that are economically stable and hence individualistic approaches that hinder people from marrying will be avoided (Kohler & Jose, 2003; McDonald, 2001).
Our contemporary lifestyles could be blamed for the decreasing rate of population growth. For instance, it is increasingly common to find children in Singaporean families to be sheltered by their parents for a very long time. Eventually, such children would want to have spouses that look and behave like their parents with whom they have stayed for a very long time. A good example was Tang Chi, a 26 year old lady who could not get married unless he had an understanding spouse like his father. She clearly expressed that, “I can’t just get a man who is loving, trustworthy, understanding and handsome like my father. Immediately I find one, I will marry him.” Given opportunity to stay in the house, Chi would most probably stay in the house until she finds the person who fits her expectations.
With such expectations like Tang Chi’s, it is important that getting such a spouse is facilitated. With the internet based matchmaking services, the information required allows a person interested in a relationship to know the kind of person one is. For instance, Chi can find a lover who has or inclines towards characteristic resemblance of her father if she browsed through available databases or engaged a matchmaking service. It is arguably easier done that way as opposed to physically looking for a husband. Therefore Singapore needs matchmaking services to help people like Chi to get the appropriate husbands. Lin (1990) points out that the level of satisfaction in families that initially started from matchmaking services were predominantly high. This means that Lin is very likely to get satisfaction in her family life.
The people’s attitude towards matchmaking also impedes on the development of matchmaking services. For instance, the general belief in Singapore and the rest of the world is that women who engage in on-line dating are prostitutes and gold diggers. On the other hand, some people believe that men who look for partners through such services have some defects and that they cannot interact normally. They tend to have a questionable character. “How can I look for a husband from the internet? What will my friends and family think of me? A whore?” this is what Mong, a 32 year old business lady had to say. According to her, anyone who looked for a husband from matchmaking sources was a prostitute. She further points out, “…and what kind of husband will I get? Those are the kinds of people who cannot even interact with others. They resort to dating on-line so that they eventually mistreat and misuse the woman.”
These notions have led to engaged studies to ascertain such allegations. However, it has been established that the women engaged in matchmaking services are not prostitutes or gold diggers as opposed to general views. Cahill (1990) argues that most of women engaged in matchmaking services are professional women and those holding clerical positions in their place of work. Accordingly, it is necessary that a sensitization campaign is carried out to reverse the strongly held tenets so that more and more professional look for spouses from the internet. Jedlicka (1988) also refutes the claim that men acquired from the matchmaking services are likely to be social misfits. This means that Mong’s allegations are not founded.
Religious beliefs have been among the greatest obstacles to using matchmaking services. Sadly, their basis for the opposition is not cemented because such services have been in existence for years. Tang chi further argues that only a devilish person who embraces no religion will engage in such practices. To her, the best person always comes from God and that using internet might even seem a way of making God unhappy. “I am a Christian. I cannot engage in such activities that associate me with prostitutes and other worldly people.”
Similarly, the religious beliefs that tend to campaign against matchmaking services are founded on the tenets that only prostitutes engage themselves in matchmaking services. Matchmaking services are not a transgression to God’s word. It is necessary that people are sensitized on the relationship between matchmaking and God’s teachings. It is necessary that they understand that this has been present since ages. Cahill (1990) and Cooke (1987) argue that women who participated in matchmaking are actually not prostitutes but professionals. It is therefore necessary for churches and other religious institutions to ensure that these services are not associated with social evil. This would eventually change their involvement.
Conclusion
With such belief patterns, it is very likely that the country’s fertility rate will go low. Consequently, the country is very likely to face certain challenges that would impact negatively on their competitive advantage. Chamie (2004) highlights the importance of a healthy and fertile population. In her argument, she points out that fertility of a country is centrifugal to virtually all aspects of national growth. National defense, economic vitality, health care and pension schemes all depend on the fertility of the nation. Jeopardized population growth means jeopardy to all these aspects of national development. This means that Singapore’s future is at a dangerous position unless measures are taken to control the birth rate (Davis & Edna, 1998).
The responses from respondents of the interview show that if nothing is done, the population of Singapore will continue decreasing even further. This poses great danger considering that the country is already operating below the replacement rate. While there are several other means of promoting fertility including incentives and some legislative measures, the most appropriate approach must put in consideration the fact that people in Singapore are not taking the first initiative which is formation of the family unit. For instance, putting incentives to women bearing a certain number of children could be good if the women were already in marriages. On the other hand, taking legislative measures like restricting contraceptives will work well on people that are already in the marriage institution. Sadly, the respondent in this study seem to be outside of the marriage institution. Putting such measures as mentioned will not make them change their conceived attitudes and ideas about marriage. However, facilitating the way they can come together is the best approach. And this can only be achieved through matchmaking services (De Groot, 2004).
Short comings
As mentioned earlier, the sample in this study involved only eight people. This is a very small sample that cannot be used to identify the thought pattern of the whole Singapore. The problem was as a result of the financial implications that would be associated with a large sample enough to represent the views of the whole country.
Also, the interviews were carried out in city regions only. A thorough study would entail finding views from remote areas of Singapore. The thought pattern could be different. Also, they could not understand the meaning of matchmaking.
Future Research
It is important that more research is carried out on how the use of matchmaking services can be facilitated. For instance, increased use of the internet to the remote regions could help the accessibility of more people towards internet related matchmaking services.
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