 Conventional families under more stress: MCYS
SINGAPORE: The conventional family is coming under greater stress than it had been 60 years ago.
And more programmes will be directed to help vulnerable Singaporeans, says the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was speaking to Channel NewsAsia at an event to celebrate his Ministry's 60th anniversary.
It was the official opening of MCYS' Heritage Gallery.
But fittingly, for a Ministry tasked with community development, it felt like a family carnival.
And staff cheered on as their colleagues received the Long Service Award.
"I've been to MND, MINDEF and then MCYS. But I prefer MCYS, because we deal with people and we help people. This is a very orientated Ministry. You feel happy when you help people," said Florence Ong who has been with MCYS for 35 years.
The Heritage Gallery traces the history of how the Ministry started as the Social Welfare Department in 1946 to become the Ministry of Social Affairs.
It also showcases the nation's resilience in dealing with some challenges.
And much credit goes to dedicated staff - like those pioneer social workers - who still keep in touch with former juvenile delinquents whose lives they have reformed.
"They were, at times, difficult. But we've got girls going to school where they're educated. Some of them finished their Cambridge; they're working quite well, as teachers," said 86-year-old Mrs Yap Chwee Lin, a retired social worker who was Housemother at Toa Payoh Girls' Home.
"After I was retired, I was re-employed for 3 years! So, you can imagine. I still love the job, I still want to go on!" said 81-year-old Lian Kooi Lean, one of the pioneer social workers.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "This is a Ministry in which we will not leave big monuments behind. Our impact will be on the lives of ordinary Singaporeans. And I hope in 10, 20, 30 or 40 years' time, when I come back as an ex-member of this Ministry, I'll be able to look back and say, yes, some people have benefited, some lives have been touched. And the future generations would have benefited from it. That really is the story of MCYS."
And Dr Balakrishnan has his work cut out for him.
Some of the challenges that could potentially strain the social fabric of the nation include falling fertility rates and more complex family structures which Dr Balakrishnan said are placing more stress on the family compared to 60 years ago.
Another challenge - an ageing population. Dr Balakrishnan said his Ministry will be working closely with the Ministerial Committee on Ageing Issues to work out effective programmes.
The Heritage Gallery is located at the lobby of the MCYS Building, and admission is free. | 
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