In a recent video from Babes, a support group for young mothers, psychiatrist Dr Ang Yong Guan talked about the challenges young mothers face and mentioned the different programmes and resources available to them.
He also said that online support groups can provide resources to teen mums, including the Family Support Group, Help Every Lone Parent (HELP), Single Parent Support Group, and Babes.
“They are there for you, to guide, encourage, and give hope. Don’t ever think you are alone. There are people out there in the same boat. Together, you can learn and encourage each other and move forward together… and overcome whatever obstacles there are,” he added.
The video where Dr Ang spoke was produced by Babes, which has been providing “A Helping Hand for Pregnant Teens” as well as their families since 2005.
Babes also offer a 24-hour hotline at 1800-TeenMom (1800-833-6666) and 8111-3535.
The nearly 15-minute video begins with the story of Kalamera, who got pregnant at 20. She now has a 7-month-old baby and receives no support from the father of her child.
Kalamera’s former boyfriend denied that he was her child’s father, and asked her to take a DNA test. She refused, as it costs over $1000 and carries the risk of miscarriage.
When she was at a point of “physical and emotional collapse,” a friend referred her to Babes, which offered her support.
Following Kalamera, a young girl named Shahira, who got pregnant at 14, told her story.
Now 16, Shahira said her world turned upside down when she got pregnant. Like Kalamera, Shahira’s boyfriend also left her. She confirmed his paternity via a DNA test, but said she decided to raise her daughter on her own.
Babes offered her moral support and taught her how to prepare for motherhood, as well as gave her supplies for the baby. She also got to meet other young pregnant girls, which helped end her loneliness.
Shahira is currently at school and getting very good grades, despite the challenges she faces daily.
She also said that Babes offers a bursary of about $100 monthly to single mums who would like to finish their studies.
Ms Siti, a social worker with Babes, spoke on the video after Shahira. She explained that the group provides emotional support and resources to young pregnant girls 21 years old and below “to empower them to make responsible decisions for their pregnancy.”
One of the most important things Dr Ang pointed out is that single mums should enjoy the same rights as married women, and they can ask for the same support and privileges.
He noted that recently, the rights of single mothers have been improving, but added that single mums can also advocate for themselves.
“If you feel that as a single mother you are not enjoying the same rights as a married mother, then you can voice it to your respective authorities, and they may want to do something for you.”
For instance, married mums used to have a maternity leave of 16 weeks, and single mums did not have the same privilege.
“But as a result of some changes,” Dr Ang said, single mothers now also have the same amount of maternity leave.
“This is an example of not being shy to speak up,” he added.
“As a single mum, you have every right to ask for proper and fair treatment from the government. As a single mum, you should also enjoy the same rights.”
He also mentioned the Child Development Account, which took effect from Sept 1, 2016. Every child is entitled to a CDA, including the children of single mums, with a starting sum of around $3,000.
He encouraged everyone to find out more about the CDA, if they have not yet done so.
In addition, Dr Ang, a retired army colonel and a member of the opposition Progress Singapore Party (PSP) also talked about how important it is for young pregnant girls to practice self-care, adding that four simple ways to do this are exercise, sleeping well, proper nutrition and taking care of the spiritual aspect of life. /TISG
Young citizen who is not yet able to vote personally thanked Dr Ang Yong Guan for contesting GE2020