Discussion Forum

Main target: build a stronger foundation. Invent a strategy to encourage nourishment into our malnourished youths. We have lots to learn, but with few students.

Before prenatal, in many other Asian countries e.g., S.Korea, China, Japan, HK, Malaysia, Thailand nourishing the potential or current daughter-in-law has a set regime (tonics, herbal concoctions) from the groom's parents to promote virile children and robust bloodlines.  

Our older parents are ill equipped spiritually, mentally and physically and without such capacities on our island, could our undernourished young citizens automatically be stimulated to become potential couples and parents to produce healthy offsprings? 

Fit children reduces health care, frees time for mental growth and family bonding.

Therefore, before a romantic union, should we examine the foundation in boosting health of our youths inside/outside school?

I think this is one of the most impossible tasks ahead.

Here we have a Government that puts a market price sticker on anything and everything, opens the floodgates to foreigners and make Singaporeans paddle so hard to keep afloat in an ever more expensive city (thanks in no small part to the Government and its policies). It is simply counter intuitive for most to marry early and have plenty of kids in such an environment.

And forget about those ideas of 6 months maternity leave. I can hardly see how throwing even more money without fixing the above environment conditions is going to change anything. People hold off having kids because of environmental factors outlined in para 2 and because of lack of good and affordable child care facilities, not because maternity leave is too short. If the Government wants to emulate oil rich Nordic States, the Government can come up with the dosh to pay for this long maternity leave and business disruptions that will come with this.

From Todayonline:

Ms Grace Fu will also be Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources and Foreign Affairs, and will assist Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on population matters.

"She told Channel NewsAsia: "People are Singapore's greatest resource. I am very privileged to be given this opportunity in NPTD to look into our population issue, with its far-reaching impact that directly affects Singapore's make-up and economic competitiveness."

"I particularly look forward to having discussions with Singaporeans on marriage and parenthood policies and other important decisions relating to our population."

Who is doing what? If Grace Fu as a full minister is to assist DPM Teo on population issue, then Chan Chun Seng's duties has reduced to "Social Welfare" only. His other duties like Youth and Sports will be taken over by new MCCY. Is there a real need to split the two ministries into three.

My 2 cents worth for free.

1. With new ministry, comes additional cost of public administration. Are Singaporeans willing to pay?

2. From a helicopter view, where does this restructuring suppose to bring us to? Greater efficiency, deeper engagement, further specialization of ministerial functions? What are their goals, their programmes and their conviction to solve all that they have created?

3. "there is a need to look at family policies and issues “seriously”. Now we know, the PAP government has never been serious about their policies all this while. It takes an ex-military man to be serious this time round. Get it Singaporeans.  I am very very serious now. It is Singaporean families at stake. It is the elite's families at stake. It is Singapore's future leaders at stake. We deserve to be da.mn angry alright! 


Fat MaMa

To take care of getting our people to marry and have kids.
First, the people must see a steady bright future ahead.
Secondly, the people must feel that they are part of this country and belong here.
Thirdly, the people must be able to cope more than just 3 meals, financially.
Fourthly, the sense of job stability, to be able to plan their future.
Fifthly, lesser stress in their job, stress affects baby making.
Sixthly, have work life balance, that is what Singaporeans were taught to go for, but with their job at stake, it is just a dream to many.
Seventhly, have more care centers operating to midnight. This is unnecessary only if they can afford to leave for home from work, without stress by 5pm.
Eighthly, affordable home, home loans that can be settled within two decades.
Settle these seven needs, the chances will be improve greatly for Singaporeans to look forwards to marrying and setting up a family.
Take care of the people well enough, they will be happy enough to reproduce. With too many uncertainties in our future, who'll be dare enough to get marry and start a family, unless they are already loaded now.
Reduce pet license, people are turning to pets for life companion, they will replace human life partner, since it is so financial taxing to have a human life partner. Hee hee hee

With our high cost of living & job insecurity, can an average income man get marry and have more than one child?
Has anyone got any idea the financial layout to get married and setup a family of four, till the kids are able to earn their own income? Can an average income man meet that?