<\/p>\nan average of 745 children<\/p>\n
<\/a> a year were born out of wedlock to Singaporean mothers here from 2020 to 2024, a reply to a parliamentary question on Oct 15 revealed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of this group of children, 12 were subsequently adopted by their biological parents within the same five-year period.<\/p>\n
Under the Legitimacy Act 1934, a child whose parents are not legally married to each other when the child is born is considered illegitimate. This remains so unless the parents subsequently marry or adopt the child.<\/p>\n
Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said in his response that the Government does not differentiate benefits that support Singaporean children\u2019s growth and development based on their parents\u2019 marital status.<\/p>\n
These benefits include subsidies for education, healthcare, childcare and infant care, and the migrant domestic helper levy concession.<\/p>\n
Single unwed parents do not need to adopt their own children to qualify for these government benefits, he added.<\/p>\n
However, unwed parents do not get the Baby Bonus cash gift and tax benefits such as the Working Mother\u2019s Child Relief and Parenthood Tax Rebate, as they are meant to encourage parenthood within marriage, Mr Masagos had said in previous parliamentary replies.<\/p>\n
Lawyer Dorothy Tan said that one reason why unwed parents adopt their own child is to sever the legal parent-child relationship with the other parent, such as the legal rights to custody and access to the child in the future.<\/p>\n
The senior associate director at the family law and probate department at PKWA Law Practice said: \u201cFor example, if the biological parent is not fulfilling his or her responsibilities towards supporting the child, the other parent may wish to make it clear that he or she is the sole legal parent and the other parent cannot demand any visitation rights in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eden Law Corporation managing director June Lim said that based on the cases she has handled, it is usually the unwed mothers who adopt, given the maternal bond between mother and child.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cIt is usually the fathers who abandon the mother and child.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ms Gloria James-Civetta, head lawyer at Gloria James-Civetta and Co, said some parents adopt their illegitimate child as adoption gives the child the right to inherit from their estate.<\/p>\n
Without a will, an illegitimate child has no automatic right to inherit from his or her father\u2019s estate and may only inherit from their mother if she has no legitimate children, she said. <\/p>\n
She added that the stigma surrounding illegitimacy, rooted in both law and social norms, also motivates some parents to adopt, to confer legitimacy on their child.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cStigmatisation may arise from being raised in an unconventional family structure, especially in Singapore\u2019s predominantly conservative society.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Parenthood within marriage is viewed as the prevailing social norm, and the key to strong families. Consequently, the label of illegitimacy carries implications implying the opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Natalie, the adoption process, which she began in January, is still ongoing.<\/p>\n
This decision came after a pivotal moment a year ago when her daughter was hospitalised for a lung infection. She texted her former boyfriend to inform him, but he never replied. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt became very clear to me that I\u2019m the only parent,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Her former boyfriend had earlier asked her to terminate the pregnancy, but she refused, believing that children are a blessing. Besides, she had always wanted to be a mother. <\/p>\n
Shortly after the child was born, he ended their relationship.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI asked him if he would do anything for our child. He said he wanted a clean break for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has not even met her before. He did not even want to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before she is allowed to adopt her own daughter \u2013 like others who want to adopt someone\u2019s else child \u2013 she has to get a favourable assessment evaluating her readiness and suitability to adopt a child.<\/p>\n
For the adoption suitability assessment report, she went through interviews with a social service professional on areas such as her family background, employment history and parenting style.<\/p>\n
There were also multiple background checks, such as on her mental health history and any child abuse or family violence records.<\/p>\n
She expects to spend about $6,000 for the adoption, which includes legal fees and the adoption assessment fee.<\/p>\n
Natalie said that having to prove that she could care for her own daughter was \u201cemotionally taxing\u201d, but the process helped her reflect on her parenting journey and reminded her that she is \u201ccapable and deserving\u201d of being a mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I\u2019m not proud of being a single unwed mother, I\u2019m also not ashamed of it because at the end of the day, I\u2019m the one who chose to take responsibility, to love and show up for my child wholeheartedly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cBy legally cutting ties with the father, I was able to release the anger, hurt and resentment tied to the past. Adoption gave me a sense of closure and healing, allowing me to move forward and focus fully on building a peaceful and happy life with my daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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