From a macro point of view, I do agree with some of the participant of this topic, saying that "most of the men couldn't pay the wife / child maintenance" Singapore is a very strange country indeed, uniquely Singapore.
Not only from my own experience. You can even reference the reality of Singapore's economic situation in
www.ubs.com and search for this report Preise_Loehne_2010_e.pdf
The conclusion of the report states that Singapore is one of the highest cost of living countries in Asia region. At the same time, it is the lowest paid salary (in terms of PPP, purchase power parity) compared to the 1st world countries.
And Singapore being a money minded society, every peon and serf purpose is to acquire as much monopoly money as possible to pay for the expensive HDB (which is on lease to you, you don't own it), pay for your expensive Cars (which is at least 3 times higher than all parts of the world), pay for your children's education (universities in Singapore is getting expensive, and government don't even want to subsidize Singaporeans anymore).
In Singapore, it's a double whammy position. Damn if you do, damn if you don't. If you pursue happiness in Singapore, by getting married, and settle down, the men will instantly feel the stress. The stress of marriage preparation (fucking expensive to organize a wedding in Singapore), the worry if your wife's expectation is too high...
Next big worry is the cost of housing... HDB flats now cost more expensive than homes in overseas... I couldn't believe it, minimum price for HDB 4 room flat in a far away location like Punggol can be as expensive as SGD 400,000.00 (no amenities around some more)
It is no wonder Singapore's birth rate is less than the replacement ratio of 2.1
It is also no wonder that a lot of Singaporean men choose to find a wife in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, Cambodia, (I've not heard much from Laos).
The funny thing is when you travel, your view about things in Singapore begin to change drastically. Singapore is truly uniquely Singapore, as it is a pearl of South East Asia, as no other city can be compared to Singapore (This is true, which I am very proud of) However, what saddens me is that the attitude of most Singaporean ladies have expectations that is beyond any Singaporean men's reach.
I have my own theory to the above. It appears that, the expectations of the woman to their spouse is directly proportional to the advancement of the Economy and the social economic ladder that the spouse is in.
Singapore situation is actually quite similar to that of Hong Kong... most men in Hong Kong take 2 jobs, 1 full time job during the day, and at night they work part time... everyone stressed like fuck. The Hong Kong men PREFER to get their wife in the mainland, normally, they find their wife in Shenzhen city, and Guangzhou city, (very seldom in Dong Guan City, haha!)
Whatever the case, I think Singapore today is facing a very serious social problem.
Singaporean men are looking for wives overseas. More and more Singaporean women are left on the self...
For brothers who have Singaporean wives, you got to work harder to meet your wives' expectation of you... and for brothers who have overseas wives, be assertive! be the head of the family, never be henpecked!
And if you want to get married in Singapore, make sure that you don't incur debts via credit cards!