Sociology and Social Science Marriage and Religion

Question: Discuss about theSociology and Social Sciencefor Marriage and Religion. Answer: Couples Having Children without First Having a Flat in Singapore The analysis of the three articles brings the housing policy in Singapore into the limelight. The argument of which should come first between a baby and the flat seem to receive divergent views from the concerned stakeholders. Besides, Josephine Teo's statement on "Someone don't need much space to have sex" seems not to go well with the majority of the Singaporeans (Tai, 2016). The issue of prioritizing between a house and a baby which should come first has been a subject of different of debate for many years. This has not only happened in Singapore but also in other many Western nations. However, in West acquiring a flat before a baby is not a government policy but an individual choice. The difference between Singapore and other nations is that in Singapore the flats are subsidized by the government and one condition to be able to access the same is to motivate people to give birth to more children. The Singaporean government is using this approach to counteract the declining population in the country where the population is dominated by the senior citizens(Chen, 2016). This government strategy seems to attract a lot of criticisms of the Singaporean people who are the major stakeholders(Yap, 2008). Therefore, it is the right time for the Singaporean government to review its policy and come up with a more friendly approach which will not make the private lives of the Singaporean people uncomfortable. For example, in one of the articles, a citizen explains how the life was unbearable when he managed to have two kids while still living under his parents roof(Zannia, 2016). He goes further to illustrate how it was difficult for eight people to share four room flat. This illustration represents the problems and challenges that majority of the Singaporeans go through in the efforts of conforming to the government policy of having a baby to qualify for a flat. Josephine Teo's remarks seem to lack the support of many Singaporeans. Despite the issue of having a baby first before a house being a government policy, Teo should have won a human face and discuss the issue from the majority affected Singaporeans point of view. This paper neither supports nor disputes Teo's remarks as every situation is completely different, as well as everyone, is different. However, the paper opines that the issue under discussion should not be a government policy, but rather it should be a personal decision as it is in many of the Western countries. This is an individual decision, and the Singaporeans should be left to make it by themselves(Thang, 2005). This is because there are various issues to put into consideration before deciding it is either a baby or a house which should come first. In the following paragraph, this paper discusses the critical questions that one should ask before making a decision. The first question should be whether the relationship between the couples is solid. This is because those who in a relationship or married can decide to have a baby first. However, things may change and end up filing for a divorce. The question raises who will qualify for the flat, father or mother? The second questions highlight the issue of the age. Some people may opt to wait a bit longer before having a baby. It should either because of the studies or other personal reasons(Chan, 2007). This paper offers a suggestion that these people should be allowed to acquire a flat first before having a baby. However, the challenges come in whether they will be able to have a baby in future. To address, the government should undertake all the Singaporeans who wish to acquire a house before a baby through fertility test. The last question goes to the Singaporean government and seeks to ask how someone will be able to offer a comfortable accommodation to his or her family without a house. Even though the family is founded on love but not housing, a proper housing will be an influencer of the happy family. The Singaporean government policy brings it clear that it has not understood the social problems facing the people of Singapore. This paper recommends that the adoption of the Grand theory will help the government understand the social processes and the social difficulties facing people regarding concepts and ideas instead of a specific case evidence. The adoption of this theory will help the government understand social exchange among the people, societal interaction as well as how society functions and how to solve conflicts within the society. The appreciation of the Grand theory by the Singaporean government will facilitate to a greater change in its approach to encouraging people to have babies through unimpressive approach. The decision whether to have a baby before having a flat should be strictly a personal and individual affair but not a government indirect coercive approach. How Religious Groups View the Notion of Sex Before Marriage Various religious groups have different perceptions about the notion of sex before marriage(Baker, 2010). For example, each group has established more codes that govern the issues of ethics, morality, and sexuality. Bearing this is sensitive topic it may be difficult for the various religious group to discuss it freely. Therefore, a researcher will be required to devise appropriate methods that will ensure that the intended information for the study is obtained. Methods of collecting differ and vary under different disputes. However, the researcher will go for the approach which suits his or her context best. This paper chooses questionnaire as the best approach to obtaining perceptions on the notion of sex before marriage from different religious groups. The questionnaire should be designed in a manner that it resembles the common religious teachings. This will enable the targeted group to offer their notions freely. However, just like any other data collection technique, this techn ique will have the following strengths and weaknesses(Finn Jacobson, 2008). Strengths It will be easy and cheap to gather data from large numbers of people. People will feel more comfortable when expressing their perceptions through questionnaire rather than interviews. Minimizes the biasness of the researcher. Many people may be familiar with questionnaires. Weaknesses The respondents may not complete the survey. Words may have different meanings from respondents point of view. It is difficult to know who completed the survey due to lack of contact with the respondent. Designing a good questionnaire may be difficult. References Baker, B. (2010). Same-Sex : An Inappropriate Relationship. A Journal of Undergraduate Work, 1(3), 189-205. Chan, A. (2007). Singapore's Changing Structure and the Policy Implications for Financial Security, Employment, Living Arrangements and Health Care. Asian Metacentre Research Paper Series, 1-26. Chen, H. (2016, October 13). What should come first, a baby or a flat? Retrieved from The BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37627269 Finn, J., Jacobson, M. (2008). Just Practice: A Social Justice Approach to Social Work. Peosta: Eddie Bowers Publishing. Tao, J. (2016, 12 October). You don't need much space to have sex: Josephine Teo on no flat, no child belief. Retrieved from Singapore Press Holdings Ltd: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ministers-rejoinder-to-no-flat-no-child-belief Thang, L. L. (2005). Private Matters, Public Concern: Procreation Issues in Singapore. The Japanese Journal of Population, 3(1), 76-108. Yap, M. T. (2008). Fertility and Population Policy: the Singapore Experience. Journal of Population and Social Security (Population), 643-658. Zannia, N. (2016, October 14). Netizens on Josephine Teo's remarks on having babies before flats. Retrieved from The Online Citizen 2015: https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2016/10/14/netizens-on-josephine-teos-remarks-on-having-babies-before-flats/