The_King Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 SINGAPORE - As the Year of the Dragon beckons, it is as good a time as any for young couples to try for babies, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as he once again took the opportunity to urge people to have children in his annual Chinese New Year message. On its part, the Government will support the marriage and parenthood aspirations of Singaporeans, and build a “Singapore Made For Families”, he added. “Many Chinese families consider a child born in the Year of the Dragon to be especially auspicious, the dragon being a symbol of power, strength and good fortune,” he said. “So now is as good a time as any for young couples to add a ‘little dragon’ to your family.” Singapore’s crude birth rate – the number of births per 1,000 people – has been steadily declining since the 1960s, but increases were recorded in the years that fell under the Chinese zodiac sign of the dragon – in 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 and 2012. The country’s total fertility rate has also been coming down over the years, hitting a low of 1.04 in 2022 – far below the replacement level of 2.1. Fertility rates have been declining all over the world, especially in developed societies like Singapore, said PM Lee, who was born under the Chinese zodiac sign of the dragon and turns 72 on the first day of Chinese New Year. He noted that the decision to have children is a very personal one. Each generation has different aspirations, and many young people prioritise developing their careers, spending time with their partners and pursuing other interests, over parenthood, he said. Even those who want children may put off starting families, not realising how quickly it can get harder to conceive with each passing year, he added. “All this is quite understandable. But I still hope that more Singaporean couples will decide to have more children, and to have them earlier,” he said. To support those who want to be parents, the Government has progressively strengthened support for infant caregiving and work-life harmony, he noted. Since Jan 1, government-paid paternity leave has also been doubled from two to four weeks on a voluntary basis. Measures like these will lighten the burden on parents, but they are merely enablers, he said. “Ultimately, couples will decide whether to have children for their own reasons. I hope more will decide to go ahead, and I am confident they will find parenthood a deeply rewarding and fulfilling journey,” he added. PM Lee, who has four children and is a grandfather, said bringing up children is an important element of family life, and there is great joy in watching the young ones learn, grow and reach milestones year by year. “Grandparents, like me, share this joy too. We dote and fuss over our grandchildren, helping the parents to bring them up and contributing our part in this journey filled with happiness, purpose and love,” he said. As Singaporeans gather to usher in new beginnings and good luck during Chinese New Year, he urged people to celebrate their families, which are at the heart of society. “Our families give us unwavering strength and support, cheer for us in our triumphs and stand by us through adversity. They are a big part of our sense of identity, belonging and purpose. Through our families, we pass on our aspirations and values from generation to generation,” he said. The Prime Minister wished all Singaporeans good health and a very happy Chinese New Year. “Entering the Dragon year, let us press forward with optimism and determination,” he said. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 hahahhaa funny, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XianGe Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Siao... Remove the stress n high cost first... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zendude Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) Your successor and eldest son also childless still got cheek to say others? Edit: should say all sons, I got nothing against Yipeng. He's one of the good guys and hopefully takes revenge for his mom one day... Should hope the alien egg on your arm don't reproduce better... Edited February 9 by zendude 2 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huat Zai Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 I have, you feed ah? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noobmaster Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 7 hours ago, The_King said: he urged people to celebrate their families, which are at the heart of society The irony when he doesn’t even do that with his siblings 6 hours ago, zendude said: Your successor and eldest son also childless still got cheek to say others? Edit: should say all sons, I got nothing against Yipeng. He's one of the good guys and hopefully takes revenge for his mom one day... Should hope the alien egg on your arm don't reproduce better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigpigoink Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 tot they already take the easy way out since 2000s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeenut Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 55 minutes ago, pigpigoink said: tot they already take the easy way out since 2000s Want say, also say last year - so people can piak piak and then produce in Dragon Year. Year start already, suddenly ask people create .. Knn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannotTahanLiao Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 (edited) if i must have, i hope to give birth to a girl. Don't want my sons to serve ns to this country to protect foreigners and prs Edited February 9 by CannotTahanLiao 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classyNfabulous Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 16 minutes ago, coffeenut said: Want say, also say last year - so people can piak piak and then produce in Dragon Year. Year start already, suddenly ask people create .. Knn from now till mar still hv got chance to sehh by dec ahhh assuming dun hv to retry too many taims 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeenut Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 Just now, classyNfabulous said: from now till mar still hv got chance to sehh by dec ahhh assuming dun hv to retry too many taims He banking on sinkie spirit to queue/try/piak till the last moment But really, if really have to make this type of shiat statement - might as well do it in time. As it is, we will have the regular 12yr false spurt - and fight for pre-school / school spots for dragon cohort 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noobmaster Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 51 minutes ago, coffeenut said: Want say, also say last year - so people can piak piak and then produce in Dragon Year. Year start already, suddenly ask people create .. Knn another reason why most refuse to whip out their dragons is because cost of living is so high 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classyNfabulous Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 32 minutes ago, noobmaster said: another reason why most refuse to whip out their dragons is because cost of living is so high health care costs v high but service sux big taim oso Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londonchocolateroll Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 I can also urge you and your jiakliaobees to take less salary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 i also urges them to have at least more kids.this one age like fine wine for a start maybe she can get the ball rolling and get married and have lot of kids https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/s-pore-s-total-fertility-rate-hit-record-low-in-2022-govt-to-help-aspiring-parents-indranee-rajah or factory shut down already? mhahahahha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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