Malay Muslim Low-Income Households in Singapore: Gender Ramifications and Policy Challenges

Abstract

This chapter is based on an analysis of multiple interviews and a survey of 25 low-income Malay Muslim households in Singapore over 18 months in 2013–2014. The detailed narratives illustrate the types of crises, challenges, and coping strategies developed by households in the lower income range. Among the gendered aspects highlighted in the study are the low levels of education, the challenges of single-headed of households and of older generations taking care of their grandchildren. The most important concern for Malay Muslim low-income households in our sample is related to health, which illustrates the high level of vulnerability of low-income households to health crises, leading to potential lack of income. Second, lack of stable employment surfaces as another important vicious cycle. Third, stress related to raising children and the difficulties in supporting children in their education. There is undoubtedly a lack of voice for low-income households in Singapore, especially those headed by single females and by elderly individuals and having major responsibilities such as taking care of grandchildren, sometimes referred to as the “skip generation” households. Identifying and removing the fundamental bottlenecks that prevent low-income households in Singapore from moving upwards socioeconomically is a long-term process, because it involves fundamental institutional and social changes.