Never-married women and the pressure to conform : exploring the experience of never-married women in Singapore in relation to their marital status

Abstract

Despite having progressed socioeconomically, empowered women in Singapore are still expected to subscribe to the cultural ideals of marriage. In light of this contradiction between trends and expectations, this study aims to understand the experience of never-married women in Singapore in relation to their marital status. Never-married women are found to possess a negative outlook of their status, resulting from social settings and interactions where the ideology of marriage is manifested. They also report being ‘stuck’ upon deviating from the ‘traditional’ route of marriage. Through Foucauldian’s conception of governmentality, this study discusses the government’s role in shaping the experience of never-married women. Ultimately, this study seeks to improve the quality of life for never-married women in Singapore and provide necessary insights into their ideals as we pave the future of Singapore, one laden with population issues waiting to be solved.