Local women's group against Lee Kuan Yew's comments
Zenzen
inSing.com - 11 mins ago
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Local women's rights group Aware (Association of Women for Action & Research) does not agree with Mr Lee Kuan Yew's recent comments to a female PhD student.
The group has released a statement to charge that Mr Lee, as an influential figure, is "perpetuating sexist stereotypes".
At a recent dialogue forum, Mr Lee said to PhD student Joan Sim, "Don't waste time. It (getting married and having children) is more important and more satisfying than your PhD but good luck to you. I hope you get your PhD and your boyfriend."
In her statement, Ms Nicole Tan, the president of Aware, highlighted that Mr Lee's views contradict recent statements by the government stating that "gender equality is central to Singapore's socio-economic growth".
Ms Tan finds that Singapore's policies are not in line with "social developments and changing gender roles".
For example, she said, "fathers are not entitled to paid maternity leave", reinforcing social expectations that mothers are responsible for caregiving. Lack of flexible work arrangements for mothers and inadequate infant care facilities are other such examples.
"Such policies make raising children a daunting prospect for working women", she said.
She emphasised that influential figures such as Mr Lee are important to shaping social attitudes.
She believes that Mr Lee's remarks, implying that "women belong at home and men should be primary providers", will undermine the efforts of both men and women in their family and working lives.
She also charged that "implying that marriage and motherhood are more important than education and work belittles the choices and contributions of women who prefer to be single or childless".
Zenzen
inSing.com - 11 mins ago
Local women's rights group Aware (Association of Women for Action & Research) does not agree with Mr Lee Kuan Yew's recent comments to a female PhD student.
The group has released a statement to charge that Mr Lee, as an influential figure, is "perpetuating sexist stereotypes".
At a recent dialogue forum, Mr Lee said to PhD student Joan Sim, "Don't waste time. It (getting married and having children) is more important and more satisfying than your PhD but good luck to you. I hope you get your PhD and your boyfriend."
In her statement, Ms Nicole Tan, the president of Aware, highlighted that Mr Lee's views contradict recent statements by the government stating that "gender equality is central to Singapore's socio-economic growth".
Ms Tan finds that Singapore's policies are not in line with "social developments and changing gender roles".
For example, she said, "fathers are not entitled to paid maternity leave", reinforcing social expectations that mothers are responsible for caregiving. Lack of flexible work arrangements for mothers and inadequate infant care facilities are other such examples.
"Such policies make raising children a daunting prospect for working women", she said.
She emphasised that influential figures such as Mr Lee are important to shaping social attitudes.
She believes that Mr Lee's remarks, implying that "women belong at home and men should be primary providers", will undermine the efforts of both men and women in their family and working lives.
She also charged that "implying that marriage and motherhood are more important than education and work belittles the choices and contributions of women who prefer to be single or childless".
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