I was listening to the English speech given by the PM for the National Day Rally held at the UCC, NUS. The topic that really caught my attention (and I think everyone else's) was the birth rate issue. The ideal replacement rate is 2.1, one to replace each parent. Most developed nations have birth rate lower than ideal. I know SG was on the lower side but I did not expect it to be so low at 1.29. That's incredibly scary. This will definitely create a worse scenerio than it is now. Due to the decreasing population in SG, govt had to bring in more foreign workers into the country. This will inevitably create social problems. But I guess they have no choice right now cause if they dont do that, things may become worse. We already have an aging population. If this continues, our tax and social burden will definitely increase by the time my generation comes out into the society to work. Many people blame the govt for every small little thing, but most of the time, these people do not grasp the big picture nor have the foresight.

I was looking through the incentives that will be given to parents. Definitely alluring. The most debated policy is the extended 4 months maternity leave. I agree with most people that an extension is not the way to solve the issue. Yes, it is obviously an attractive incentive but in the long run, it may bring more harm than good. There have already been complaints that many companies asked their female interviewees if they have children or are expected to get married any time soon. This is obviously wrong, yet one cant blame these companies for doing such things. At the end of the day, they want to make big money as well. Mothers on maternity leave are a burden on companies' financies and workload. Though the govt is willing to fork out the money for the first 2 months of maternity leave, they cant reduce the workload that has been passed onto the other colleagues. My suggestion? 3 months of maternity leave is more than enough.

More money is going to be spend on the Baby Bonus Scheme. Though the money given at the end of the day is really huge, the amount of money spent in bringing up the child will be more than just that amount. However, how can parents rely on govt's money to raise their child all the way to adulthood? So I guess the amount given is more than enough.

Personally the most attractive change that the govt is doing, are the improvements at the childcare centres. If I am a working mother and I have to leave my child in the care of a childcare centre, I want to ensure that the teachers there are qualified professionals and the environment is conducive. Providing more bursuries and scholarships for teaching courses is a wonderful idea. The childcare centres must also be licensed by the govt to ensure that the environment is clean and safe for my child (recall: HFM disease!). Regular spotchecks must be done at these centres. If all these can be done, I will definitely put my child at the centre and go to work in peace.

I know the govt is trying to bring up the birth rate but I didnt know they were THIS desperate till I heard about this 2 policies. One: Co-funding for IVF. Two: Get parents to matchmake their kids. WTH?! I was totally shocked when I heard about the IVF policy. However after thinking about it for some time, I guess it makes sense. Some people really want to have children but cant afford IVF. Furthermore, IVF usually results in more than one child per birthing. So, that's like killing two birds with one stone. The second one was totally ludicrious. Are we going back to my grandparents' age? Imagine meeting your lifetime partner on the day of marriage!! Alright, I'm sure the PM didnt meant it this way. Most probably just introduce but whether it'll work out depends on the 2 young people. As 'stone age' as it may sounds, it may actually work for my family. You see, my parents are educated people and they are exceptionally critical when choosing their future son-in-law. My mum wants a man who sincerely cares and loves her daughter and can look after her. My dad wants an educated man who earns a substantial steady income and be able to provide for his daughter. So when you combine both of their expectations, the guy must basically be perfect. =)

My dad may seems unreasonable with his expectations, and he very well knows it. That's why he made it very clear to us that we are free to stay single all our lives. My mum on the other hand, cant wait to see her grandchild. I wonder how the both of them managed to stay married for so long. My dad always tells us that love and marriage aint that important in our lives. To be able to study well and get a professional career is more important. Sometimes I think he's just being selfish. I think he wants to be able to boast to people that his daughter is a so and so, not a housewife who stays at home to look after the kids. It's also possible that he cant bear to see us married off and belonging to another man. But I guess most dads feel this way and that's why it is usually harder for the father to accept the son-in-law. Maybe the govt should not only focus on the singles but parents like my dad too.

I read another article about how the govt is beginning to focus their attention on polytechnic, junior college and university students. They want to preach to them about how wonderful it is to be in a long term relationship. To encourage young people to engage in long term relationships that will most likely end up in an early marriage. This is how desperate the govt is. I can just imagine after being handed the graduation scroll, the only exit off the stage is the doorway to ROM.
















Of course, what else is better than pictures of my baby?











He was on my bed. Good life huh.















Mambo Night at Zouk with Yiling.

I was listening to the English speech given by the PM for the National Day Rally held at the UCC, NUS. The topic that really caught my attention (and I think everyone else's) was the birth rate issue. The ideal replacement rate is 2.1, one to replace each parent. Most developed nations have birth rate lower than ideal. I know SG was on the lower side but I did not expect it to be so low at 1.29. That's incredibly scary. This will definitely create a worse scenerio than it is now. Due to the decreasing population in SG, govt had to bring in more foreign workers into the country. This will inevitably create social problems. But I guess they have no choice right now cause if they dont do that, things may become worse. We already have an aging population. If this continues, our tax and social burden will definitely increase by the time my generation comes out into the society to work. Many people blame the govt for every small little thing, but most of the time, these people do not grasp the big picture nor have the foresight.

I was looking through the incentives that will be given to parents. Definitely alluring. The most debated policy is the extended 4 months maternity leave. I agree with most people that an extension is not the way to solve the issue. Yes, it is obviously an attractive incentive but in the long run, it may bring more harm than good. There have already been complaints that many companies asked their female interviewees if they have children or are expected to get married any time soon. This is obviously wrong, yet one cant blame these companies for doing such things. At the end of the day, they want to make big money as well. Mothers on maternity leave are a burden on companies' financies and workload. Though the govt is willing to fork out the money for the first 2 months of maternity leave, they cant reduce the workload that has been passed onto the other colleagues. My suggestion? 3 months of maternity leave is more than enough.

More money is going to be spend on the Baby Bonus Scheme. Though the money given at the end of the day is really huge, the amount of money spent in bringing up the child will be more than just that amount. However, how can parents rely on govt's money to raise their child all the way to adulthood? So I guess the amount given is more than enough.

Personally the most attractive change that the govt is doing, are the improvements at the childcare centres. If I am a working mother and I have to leave my child in the care of a childcare centre, I want to ensure that the teachers there are qualified professionals and the environment is conducive. Providing more bursuries and scholarships for teaching courses is a wonderful idea. The childcare centres must also be licensed by the govt to ensure that the environment is clean and safe for my child (recall: HFM disease!). Regular spotchecks must be done at these centres. If all these can be done, I will definitely put my child at the centre and go to work in peace.

I know the govt is trying to bring up the birth rate but I didnt know they were THIS desperate till I heard about this 2 policies. One: Co-funding for IVF. Two: Get parents to matchmake their kids. WTH?! I was totally shocked when I heard about the IVF policy. However after thinking about it for some time, I guess it makes sense. Some people really want to have children but cant afford IVF. Furthermore, IVF usually results in more than one child per birthing. So, that's like killing two birds with one stone. The second one was totally ludicrious. Are we going back to my grandparents' age? Imagine meeting your lifetime partner on the day of marriage!! Alright, I'm sure the PM didnt meant it this way. Most probably just introduce but whether it'll work out depends on the 2 young people. As 'stone age' as it may sounds, it may actually work for my family. You see, my parents are educated people and they are exceptionally critical when choosing their future son-in-law. My mum wants a man who sincerely cares and loves her daughter and can look after her. My dad wants an educated man who earns a substantial steady income and be able to provide for his daughter. So when you combine both of their expectations, the guy must basically be perfect. =)

My dad may seems unreasonable with his expectations, and he very well knows it. That's why he made it very clear to us that we are free to stay single all our lives. My mum on the other hand, cant wait to see her grandchild. I wonder how the both of them managed to stay married for so long. My dad always tells us that love and marriage aint that important in our lives. To be able to study well and get a professional career is more important. Sometimes I think he's just being selfish. I think he wants to be able to boast to people that his daughter is a so and so, not a housewife who stays at home to look after the kids. It's also possible that he cant bear to see us married off and belonging to another man. But I guess most dads feel this way and that's why it is usually harder for the father to accept the son-in-law. Maybe the govt should not only focus on the singles but parents like my dad too.

I read another article about how the govt is beginning to focus their attention on polytechnic, junior college and university students. They want to preach to them about how wonderful it is to be in a long term relationship. To encourage young people to engage in long term relationships that will most likely end up in an early marriage. This is how desperate the govt is. I can just imagine after being handed the graduation scroll, the only exit off the stage is the doorway to ROM.
















Of course, what else is better than pictures of my baby?











He was on my bed. Good life huh.















Mambo Night at Zouk with Yiling.