M Lee says his children have not yet expressed interest to join politics
POSTED: 01 Dec 2014 23:46
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an interview on Beijing Satellite TV.
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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said his children have not yet expressed an interest to enter politics. He was fielding a question on his family during an interview with Beijing Satellite TV last month, the second part of which was aired on Sunday (Nov 30).
When asked if he would influence or encourage his children to join politics, Mr Lee candidly shared that they would have find their own way of life.
"They will have to make choices," he said.
"Every child is different," said Mr Lee. "Of course parents would wish for their children to be successful but they all have different natures. Some may be more interested in arts while others could be keen on computing or science. This is something that will have to be developed based on their preferences."
GOVERNMENT WORKING TO BOOST POPULATION GROWTH
In the interview, PM Lee also shared Singapore's efforts to boost its birth rate.
The Government is "paying close attention" to early childhood education and childcare services in a bid to encourage Singaporeans to have children, he said.
Singapore's Total Fertility Rate dipped to 1.19 last year - from 1.29 in 2012.
Explaining the need to focus on childcare services, Mr Lee said: "This is because many women would like to continue working after they have children."
"But who will take care of the children when that happens? If you have elderly parents who are not that old, they can help you care for your children. But some grandparents may say 'I have fulfilled my responsibilities, I have no problems. But if you want me to take care of your kids, change their diapers, find someone else to do it'," he said.
Mr Lee added that the government can only go so far to encourage families to have children; couples have to make the decision themselves as it is ultimately a "very personal" one.
"We can only explain to them, make them understand," he said.
"You may be young now but one day you will grow old too. And when you do, you may feel that 'I should have given birth to more kids'. But it would have been too late for regrets then," Mr Lee said.
- CNA/dl
POSTED: 01 Dec 2014 23:46
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an interview on Beijing Satellite TV.
A
A+
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said his children have not yet expressed an interest to enter politics. He was fielding a question on his family during an interview with Beijing Satellite TV last month, the second part of which was aired on Sunday (Nov 30).
When asked if he would influence or encourage his children to join politics, Mr Lee candidly shared that they would have find their own way of life.
"They will have to make choices," he said.
"Every child is different," said Mr Lee. "Of course parents would wish for their children to be successful but they all have different natures. Some may be more interested in arts while others could be keen on computing or science. This is something that will have to be developed based on their preferences."
GOVERNMENT WORKING TO BOOST POPULATION GROWTH
In the interview, PM Lee also shared Singapore's efforts to boost its birth rate.
The Government is "paying close attention" to early childhood education and childcare services in a bid to encourage Singaporeans to have children, he said.
Singapore's Total Fertility Rate dipped to 1.19 last year - from 1.29 in 2012.
Explaining the need to focus on childcare services, Mr Lee said: "This is because many women would like to continue working after they have children."
"But who will take care of the children when that happens? If you have elderly parents who are not that old, they can help you care for your children. But some grandparents may say 'I have fulfilled my responsibilities, I have no problems. But if you want me to take care of your kids, change their diapers, find someone else to do it'," he said.
Mr Lee added that the government can only go so far to encourage families to have children; couples have to make the decision themselves as it is ultimately a "very personal" one.
"We can only explain to them, make them understand," he said.
"You may be young now but one day you will grow old too. And when you do, you may feel that 'I should have given birth to more kids'. But it would have been too late for regrets then," Mr Lee said.
- CNA/dl
