Malaysia a great country to raise children, study shows

Malaysia – Malaysia has long been a country where family and children have played an integral role in shaping its culture. While the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of this country may differ, when it comes to their children, Malaysian parents share similar views and concerns regarding their wellbeing and future. A new study conducted by Ipsos Asia Pacific via an online survey provided by Toluna indicates that while the rapid economic and urban development has led to greater opportunities for Malaysia’s future, it has also increased parental anxieties about the life values that their children are learning that exposure to the outside world brings.

Parents in Malaysia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and South Korea, with children under the age of 21 that still resided with them were surveyed. The top 3 concerns for Malaysian parents were teaching my children life values (71%), (providing a) good fundamental education (60%) and (hoping they find a) good job and be financially independent (51%). Of a lesser concern to Malaysian parents are my children excelling in non-academic areas (9%) and I want my children to have a successful married life (18%).

This is similar to views of parents in the other Asian countries with slight variations, such as Hong Kong parents are not as concerned about (finding a) good job and be financially independent (23%), while South Korean parents place more importance on I want my children to have a successful married life (35%).

While Malaysian parents both agree that teaching my children life values (74% Dads, 68% Mums) is their top most concern, Dads prioritize (a) good fundamental education (64%) for their kids, while Mums are more concerned about them (finding a) good job and be financially independent (62%). This demonstrates the importance Malaysian parents place on passing down traditional life values such as filial respect, tolerance for other religions and cultures etc. that are the foundation of Malaysian society.

When asked to rate if they somewhat agreed or strongly agreed to several statements; 49% of Malaysian Dads believe that Considering the current reality in Malaysia, children will inherit their parents’ socio-economic status, but only 38% of Mums agree with them, signifying that Mums, in spite of their tendency to worry, tend to be more optimistic than Dads.

While 80% of mums say I am worried about the future of my child/children (versus only 66% of Dads), both strongly agree that this is a good country to raise children (76% Mums, 75% Dads). This is in contrast to other Asian countries like South Korea (17%) or even Singapore (49%).

“On the whole, parents here believe that Malaysia as a country provides a good environment for their children to grow up, a place where they can learn the right values and receive a strong education. It is natural for any parent to worry about the future for their children, regardless of where they are raised, so we have seen particular importance placed on their child’s studies, to help secure their child’s success and financial independence for tomorrow.” Steve Murphy, Managing Director, Ipsos Malaysia.

A few other highlights from the survey:

• 65% of Chinese parents are willing to let their child live by himself/herself before marriage. Only 32% of Malaysians agree with this.
• 42% of South Korean parents would agree to let their children have plastic surgery in the future, mostly supported by Mums.
• 65% of Singaporean parents admit that they are worried about the future of their children. 60% of South Korean parents admit the same.

About the Study

The figures shown are findings from a study conducted by Ipsos Asia Pacific via an online survey provided by Toluna, among a total of 916 parents across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, S. Korea and China. Qualified respondents are parents below the age of 50 who have children under the age of 21 still living with them. The fieldwork was conducted on 16 – 25 July 2013.