The Role of Women in Food Provision and Food Choice Decision-Making in Singapore: A Case Study

Abstract

As countries develop economically and increasing numbers of women enter the workforce, children are partly being cared for by someone other than their mother. Little is known about the impact of this shift in child-care provider on children’s nutrition. This study presents findings from a case study of Singapore, a small country that has experienced phenomenal economic growth. Focus groups were conducted with 130 women of varying educational levels and ethnicities to learn about food decisions in their families. The findings showed that Singaporean working women cook infrequently, families eat out frequently, and children exert considerable influence on food choices. Implications for work–family policies and child health are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• family
• food decisions
• child nutrition
• Singapore
• urbanization

Notes

¹ Singapore generally follows the British educational system. “O” level is a standardized examination, jointly administered by the Ministry of Education, Singapore and the Cambridge University International Examinations, taken after 10 years of schooling (normally, from ages 7–16). Over 90% of students entering school (at age 7) do well enough on the “O” level examination to be admitted to post-secondary educational institutions, with the highest percentage observed among Chinese (95%) and the lowest among Malay (85%); http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2011/12/performance-by-ethnic-group-in-2011.php.

² “A” level is an advanced standardized examination usually taken by students who intend to enroll in a university.

³ As described under Methods, participants were assigned to focus groups of similar ethnicity and educational level: “C” refers to Chinese, “I” refers to Indian, and “M” refers to Malay; “H” and “L” refer to higher or lower education. The numeric suffix refers to the actual focus-group session.

⁴ A hawker center is an open-air conglomeration of many small food stalls that sell inexpensive dishes which are usually cooked only when ordered.

⁵ A coffee shop serves foods similar to those served at a hawker center food stall, but it is located in a space smaller than a hawker center.