"Many helping hands": a study on volunteerism and the family in anti-welfare Singapore

Abstract

The Singaporean state eschews traditional forms of welfare, choosing instead to place the individual and the family at the centre of care provision. Even when these individuals and their families are unable to provide for themselves, the ‘Many Helping Hands’ policy adopted by the state places the onus of care-work on non-state actors such as Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs). Despite this dependence on VWOs to supplement care, Singapore’s volunteerism rate is considered low on both a regional and international level. Using an intersection of Normative Theory, Social Practice Theory and the Social Capital Model, this research sheds light on the numerous factors which may promote volunteerism in this island-nation which relies on such pro-social behaviour to supplement care the state and families are unable to deliver. Based on insights gathered from a series of in-depth interviews with volunteers, this research then makes recommendations on ways to increase volunteerism in Singapore and galvanize positive social change. Ultimately, schools should consider improving mandatory community involvement projects to provide participants with a higher sense of engagement, reciprocity and ownership than those currently in existence.