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Perceptions of remarriage by widowed people in Singapore

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Abstract

A study of attitudes to remarriage in later life among different ethnic groups in Singapore provides a counterpoint to studies in the West and illustrates the importance of cultural attitudes and religious beliefs. A survey of elderly Chinese, Malay, and Indian widows and widowers shows them overwhelmingly negative or indifferent to ideas of remarriage, although there are some variations by ethnic group and gender. There is a strong tradition in Asia of incorporating the widowed parent into a multigenerational family household, and views of adult children towards remarriage, presumed to be hostile to the remarriage of a parent, are given considerable salience. It is not generally thought appropriate for elderly people to have or express sexual needs and a marriage partnership may not be seen as ended by the death of a partner.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work and Psychology, National University of Singapore, Block AS 6 # 04-00, 11 Law Link, 117570, Singapore

    Kalyani K. Mehta Ph.D. (Associate Professor)

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  1. Kalyani K. Mehta Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kalyani K. Mehta Ph.D..

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Her research interests include social policies affecting older people, cross-cultural patterns of ageing, dynamics of caregiving for older kin, and grandparenting.

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Mehta, K.K. Perceptions of remarriage by widowed people in Singapore. Ageing Int. 27, 93–107 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-002-1017-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-002-1017-x

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