Aware: We're Not Anti-NSmen Lah!

[makapaaa]

AWARE responds: ‘Not blaming men for low fertility rates’

By Yahoo! Southeast Asia Editors – May 21st, 2010
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Guest Post
By Corinna Lim, Executive Director, AWARE
It is great that our letter to the ST Forum (ST, 20 May 2010) (“ST Letter”) has generated so much discussion on this site.
First, I must clarify that AWARE is not anti-men or blaming the issue of low fertility rates on men.
What we said in the ST Letter (which from the comments on this site, many people did not read) is that Singapore could do better in the area of gender equality at home compared to other developed countries like US and Sweden, and that there is a correlation between fertility rates and gender equality as shown in the fertility trends of these countries.
Very importantly, we do not think that the lack of gender equality is the fault of men alone – “the State, the market and the individual all play important roles in the determination of fertility decisions”. I think the AWARE name makes guys BEWARE and they automatically read our letters in a certain way.
In the ST Letter, we pointed out certain practices and policies that discourage gender equality at home, such as the lack of mandatory paternity leave and employer’s attitudes to fathers taking time off.
In relation to fertility, we do not think that gender equality is the only factor causing low fertility. We think it plays a significant part and that it is something that is worth focusing on as it is less obvious and has been shown to work in Sweden and other countries.
The main factors discouraging childbearing in Singapore are well known. As has been pointed out by many readers, these include the high cost of living, our incredibly long work hours, the lack of support by companies for work life balance, lack of options for women to go back to work after taking time off and lack of child care facilities.
Some things we can change, some we can’t.
Do we ever see Singapore becoming less expensive and less pressuring? No. So this is not something that we can change and, in my view, no point talking about this.
But can we try to encourage and incentivize fathers to play a bigger role at home (why should mums have all the fun of bringing up children?)? Can companies be more supportive of their employees’ family life and offer work-life harmony, part time work, and back to work schemes? These seem well within reach. So, let’s try to do something about things that can be improved. And let’s keep the dialogue open.
I am glad to have the chance to discuss this issue more fully and look forward to receiving more feedback.

 

[krafty]

She looked very lesbo...:p

 

[manokie]

she's talking as if other cities don't have problems like ours.. what an idiot

 

[garlic]

Got say = No say.. end of the day, problems remain.. Bullshit totally... Also, i have no reactions or feel any different to the words: AWARE.... she is living in her own bubble world, where she thinks people give a shit to her AWARE organization.. Respect and credit has to be earned, the letters and word alone mean nothing..

 

[lianbeng]

She looked very lesbo...:p

she sure needs more men.

 

[tonychat]

The main factors discouraging childbearing in Singapore are well known. As has been pointed out by many readers, these include the high cost of living, our incredibly long work hours, the lack of support by companies for work life balance, lack of options for women to go back to work after taking time off and lack of child care facilities.
Some things we can change, some we can’t.

Well, even the points "she" made is valid. Now i am convinced that the low child bearing rate is due to the existence of AWARE.

WAHAHHAHAH!!!! They forgot how to be a woman... and the sinkie media loves to print such nonsense. Thailand has no such problems.

 

[saratogas]

Guys will do they job and "Stand" more if Sinkie girls are less demanding, talk less and look like Lin ChiLing.

 

[lianbeng]

she sure needs more men.

know how to turn 2 lesbos into 2 hot bis?
make them horny for men lor.

 

[jw5]

Doesn't hurt if they also talked like Chiling.