Baby Friendly Nation?

Is Singapore A Child-Friendly Nation?

Reading the forum in the Straits Times, one gets the impression that Singapore is not a child-friendly society. What the Government advocates does not translates well by institutions.

For example, when a mother was breast feeding her baby at the Esplanade, she was shooed off by the security guard. Some companies are reluctant to recruit pregnant women. They are reluctant to pay for their maternity leave.

Despite the baby bonus, 3 obstacles stand in the way: expensive house, expensive car and short career lifesplan.

It takes almost a lifetime of work to pay off the housing loan. Both parents must work to upkeep the family.

Without a car, try pushing your baby pram and another toddler in your arms, as you moved about in the MRT. What a hassle.

When you reach 40 years old, you will find it hard to keep your job, or to find a decent job. How to afford to maintain a family when your career expires at 40?


People outside Singapore get the impression that the authorities are draconian in the laws so much so that they fear to do anything lest they may commit a crime. Consider the number of Nos - no smoking in..., no jaywalking, no littering, must flush the toilet or else, fine this, fine that. Consider the number of reminders every few seconds on the MRT - please stand behing the yellow lines, no eating or drinking, blab, blab, blab.

How can one not get the impression that the government behaves like a nanny and that Singaporeans are not capable of behaving themselves so they have to be reminded in every thing they do, like having a Romance campaign to remind people to be romantic.

With the recent death of commuters on the MRT track, people are asking the Govt to put on barriers, to slow down the train on arrival, or change the steel xxx into rubber, etc.

About time, Singaporean learn to be responsible for their lives, while the Govt should stop mothering them in every aspect of their lives. Otherwise how are children going to grow up and make responsibile decisions when all the decisions are made for them?