Most young adults in S’pore surveyed want to have children, but many lack fertility knowledge: Study
Among childless adults who may want to have kids one day, 43% answered correctly for less than half of basic fertility literacy questions.
In a recent survey conducted by Thomson Medical and the National University of Singapore (NUS), it was found that most young adults in Singapore desire to have children, yet a significant number lack basic knowledge about fertility. The study, which polled 1,035 individuals aged 18 to 39, revealed that only one in ten respondents correctly answered basic fertility questions, despite the majority of them believing they were well-informed about the topic.
Despite this knowledge gap, an overwhelming majority of the respondents, 84%, aspired to become parents, with an ideal desire for at least one child. However, there was a discrepancy between the respondents' ideal timeline for starting a family and their current life stage. For instance, the most common age range for women to start trying for children was 27 to 29, while for men, it was 30 to 32.
Yet, some respondents, particularly those who were already childless, were already older than the upper end of their desired age range.
Awareness of fertility services was found to be uneven, with egg or sperm freezing being the most recognized, followed by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, awareness of earlier interventions like fertility screening and surgical treatments such as polyp or cyst removal was relatively low, with only 54%, 31%, and 28% of respondents, respectively, being aware of these services.
The study also highlighted the evolving nature of parenthood aspirations. Among respondents who were initially neutral about having children, 83% later expressed a desire for at least one child, while half of those who initially did not want children now do. This suggests that people's views on parenthood can change over time, influenced by factors such as life changes, relationships, and social context.
The researchers emphasized the need for early fertility education and support, suggesting that fertility conversations should start earlier and be accessible through various platforms like schools, workplaces, homes, and clinics. They also recommended that healthcare providers make screening and care options more understandable before individuals actively seek to have children.
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