just a suggestion

[scroobal]

The incentives and perks did not work despite being introduced after 1986. $20k per kid etc show no discernible shift in numbers. Only people who were keen to have kids enjoyed it. Substantial HDB pricing discounts also did not work.

Its a structural and environmental issue with long time cash flow ramifications as perceived by young adults.

Here is a simplistic scenario. It common knowledge that both spouses need to be gainfully employed in the first 15 years to be in league with other colleagues and ex classmates with similar qualifications. Society will look down on a single income family that has a 3 room flat as opposed to a 4 room flat which a double income family can afford.

It then the question of a child and the stress on the parents. Long term planning requires a period of rental for a house near Henry Park. 2 kids and the stress doubles as proximity alone would not guarantee a place.

Then you have the fear that if you take maternity, your place in the pecking order will fall and that promotion ladder has been taken away for a while. This is now compounded by the fact they it is cheaper to replace you with an FT.

I know of families that have migrated in order to raise a family in a less stressful environment.

 

[chonburifc]

I really worry for sinkees if reproduction is a national issue.

 

[zhihau]

Then you have the fear that if you take maternity, your place in the pecking order will fall and that promotion ladder has been taken away for a while.

bro,
recently aired on CNA's panel discussion on 6 month maternity, a case was brought up by an educator. her child care leave wasn't approved if me recalled correctly, me know of female educators whom had difficulties bearing children due to a stressful environment, miscarriages are common.

 

[Fook Seng]

Just a few "think out of the box" suggestions to address the TFR issue:

1. Introduce a Sadie Hawkins Race, where fast fleeted fair ladies go after slow footed bachelors, reluctant to get married or keep on procrastinating. If successfully captured these gentlemen become the unwilling bridegrooms of their captives. This shall be carried out at least 4 times a year or on whatever frequency required to correct the TFR figure, unlike in Dogpatch which is done only annually.
2. An extra public holiday each week where adult couples above the age of 18 are required to stay indoors to perform their national duty of procreation.
3. Abortion shall be banned except for medical reasons with the certification of a panel of 3 doctors. Remember legalized abortion was introduced to control population growth.
4. R- and X-rated programmes to be allowed on TV media after midnight to aid in creating the atmosphere for consummation of marriages.
5. Employers, by law, shall be forbidden to question married couples in the productive ages for reporting to work late.
6. Newly married couple will have the chance to win a 5-rm HDB flat (the most non-affordable one) if they are first to get babies. This shall be conducted quarterly and babies born out of wedlock shall also be considered.
7. National Servicemen who get their babies during full-time service shall be exempted for life for doing reservist training. This is to encourage early setup of families. Those with new babies still in active NS will have their NS liability cut short 5 years for each baby they have. As generally Sinkies hate NS liability, this is expected to yield spectacular results.
8. Get rid of the Women's Charter and allow men to have more than one wife (this is not an "out of the box" idea as the original author was none other than the Old Man himself, suggested 20 years ago).