3%?

A new survey on marriage attitudes has shown that only 3 percent of undergraduates and polytechnic students in Singapore do not want to get married. Only 3%.


HAHAHA! Trust me the real number should be a lot, lot higher. I think the only reason the number is at 3% was that the survey was conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).


It says that 2,041 undergraduates and polytechnic students took part in the survey, which was conducted between March and May 2006. A third of the respondents gave a resounding 'yes' to marriage, while six in 10 said they probably would, but it was not yet on the cards. That at least sounded possible, but only 3% do not want to get married! As a young Singapore, I can clearly say, "No Way!"


Most young Singaporeans are thinking about work first, have fun second, getting married is like ninth or tenth on the list. The Singapore government has been trying to encourage more singles to get married and have babies to boost the Singapore population. There are now policies such as the Baby Bonus and extending government-paid maternity leave...all of which are totally useless. The high pace city life of Singapore (and high cost of living) makes it difficult for young people to get married. If you get married, you need to buy a house. Which will put you and your parnter in debt for the next 10 to 20 years!


If Singapore want more young people to marry, the government should try to lower the cost of living in the country. That will work better than any baby bonus and maybe, just maybe, that 3% number will be true.