REACH (Telegram) 156 - What are your thoughts on the Government's approach to supporting families? Do you think these measures will be sufficient in encouraging Singaporeans to have more children?
(SK)
17 Aug 2026 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
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[17/8/2026 10:03 am] REACH Singapore: 📢Topic📢
Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup will advance its interim recommendations early to address falling birth rates ahead of its 2027 report. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will share the first wave of family support measures at the upcoming National Day Rally.
💬 What are your thoughts on the Government's approach to supporting families? Do you think these measures will be sufficient in encouraging Singaporeans to have more children?
Minister Indranee Rajah emphasised that:
(1) interim measures are brought forward to avoid losing time on falling fertility rates;
(2) the National Day Rally will reveal a first wave of support measures for child-raising costs and childcare to holistically support families across all life stages;
(3) tackling workplace culture and flexible work norms requires balancing employer and employee needs, which will take more time to address effectively; and
(4) reversing fertility decline requires a whole-of-nation effort where everyday support from employers, managers, and the community plays a vital role.
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/marriage-parenthood-families-children-work-caregiving-6321231
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/marriage-parenthood-workgroup-identifies-workplace-norms-as-key-challenge-areas-for-earlier-action
----
[17/8/2026 10:52 am] LCL (Danny 心):
I think most important, we need to start from the beginning of the food chain.
1. There is a need to get young the opportunities to mix with the opposite gender with similar interests and personality - with the view to get married, start a family and have children.
2. Realise that matching opportunities are leave very much to the private sector.
3. Wonder whether more involvement by the government to organise more of such interest groups or matching opportunities?
4. If government feel that collaboration with the private sectors will be more effective, then hybrid collaboration between government and private sector should be effected.
5. This will send the right signal to the public the seriousness and importance place on the TFR.
I believe the public will respond positively.
[17/8/2026 11:00 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢Topic📢 Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...
So actually.. what is the feedback desired when there's no details about the interim measures?
[17/8/2026 11:01 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. The Government has accurately identified the key challenges (e.g., child-raising costs, workplace culture) faced by families today. ]
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
[17/8/2026 11:01 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. I am confident that the Government's approach will effectively address these challenges. ]
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
[17/8/2026 11:01 am] Daniel: I think the childcare aspect is very important. For context I have two young kids and the reason we decided to not have a third one is that it's simply too stressful without relying on a live-in helper or having super supportive and retired grandparents.
And while a lot has been done to address the first few years (extended maternity leave, paternity leave, financial support etc) it's the long stretch that makes people like us be hesitant to have more kids. For one childcare leave doesn't stack (1 or 4 kids, still only 6 days), but if kids are at different levels, school closure days will be different. Also 6 closure days a year, not counting special events etc for two kids then both parents no more leave already for sickness or doctors visits. Then also from P1 onwards only 2 days, but the kids still too young to go to the doctor by themselves and the schools require some involvement as well (events, HBL, PTC).
So I think if as a society we want more kids then this is something that should be addressed properly.
[17/8/2026 11:03 am] Jun Ming: The main reason is Singapore too crowded
[17/8/2026 11:04 am] Jun Ming: We wouldn't need to clear maju forest to accommodate more housing and people
[17/8/2026 11:04 am] Jun Ming: We need to reduce our population
[17/8/2026 11:05 am] Jun Ming: I have difficulty to have a smooth ride with my bicycle
[17/8/2026 11:06 am] Jun Ming: As there's a wall of people in front
[17/8/2026 11:06 am] LCL (Danny 心):
Ride on the bicycle path.
[17/8/2026 11:06 am] Jun Ming: Also a wall of people in front
[17/8/2026 11:07 am] LCL (Danny 心):
Human should not walk on the cycling path.
[17/8/2026 11:07 am] Daniel: Yeah, can confirm the issue. Always got people on bicycle path.
[17/8/2026 11:08 am] LCL (Danny 心):
Can horn them, and say please walk on the pedestrian path.
Tell them nicely.
[17/8/2026 11:09 am] Daniel: Doesn't work, there will always be more.
[17/8/2026 11:09 am] Jun Ming: And not every path have bicycle path also
[17/8/2026 11:10 am] Jun Ming: Hence due to scarce land we should reduce our population
[17/8/2026 11:11 am] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> Can horn them, and say please walk on the pedestrian path....
🙄
[17/8/2026 11:11 am] Jun Ming: If not why shall we removed forest and reduce the space of so many wildlife home
[17/8/2026 11:13 am] Jun Ming: More kids means more housing demand and means more forest being removed
[17/8/2026 11:13 am] LCL (Danny 心):
I know but should try.
Because people must try to respect law.
If not doing things right, we should educate people but in a respectful way.
[17/8/2026 11:14 am] Hanny: I don’t believe falling birth rates is a money issue. The more money a couple has, the less kids. Mind set needs to change. I have no solution.
Take a look at Israel birth rates. There is something in the society mindset that makes the birth rate above replacement rate. Other advanced nations falls below replacement rate.
[17/8/2026 11:14 am] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> Hence due to scarce land we should reduce our population
Singapore will need more own Singaporeans to run our Country.
We need our own people to helm all our critical positions and domains.
[17/8/2026 11:15 am] Jun Ming: Anyway did they interview Lawrence Wong why he didn't have any kids
[17/8/2026 11:15 am] Jun Ming: Since he have the money
[17/8/2026 11:17 am] LCL (Danny 心):
Money is not everything.
There are many factors that determine whether to get married or have children. Sometimes it could be biological constraints.
We should not latch onto anyone.
But should look at the bigger picture why we need to have TFR for our country.
This is 知大义，而不顾小节。
See the big picture, and not hype on trivial matter.
[17/8/2026 11:18 am] Jun Ming: I was thinking to give recommend kids according to salary
[17/8/2026 11:18 am] Jun Ming: The top income earners should bear more responsibility
[17/8/2026 11:19 am] Jun Ming: Not the opposite
[17/8/2026 11:20 am] Jun Ming: So eg. Those top earner should have 5-6 kids
[17/8/2026 11:22 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢Topic📢 Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...
3 things that can and should be done:
1. PAP needs to stop fearmongering about the future to secure votes, especially during election season. When people believe the fear and become fearful about the future, how is that encouraging more baby making?
2. Do widespread reduction of cost of living. Do the difficult thing. Reduce govt spending and hence the need for more and more tax money, so that can reduce tax
3. Stop rent seeking culture to reduce cost of living. Most SREITS are significantly owned by govt/govt linked companies
[17/8/2026 11:22 am] Jun Ming: Extended the minimum years of pr to 10 years
[17/8/2026 11:23 am] Jun Ming: Make having Singaporean kids as mandatory requirements to be Singaporean
[17/8/2026 11:28 am] Jun Ming: But if it is me is time and space and social
[17/8/2026 11:28 am] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:
> But if it is me is time and space and social
These 3 factor need to fulfill
[17/8/2026 11:31 am] Jun Ming: Money is a secondary factor. Giving birth shall be free to encourage more birth
[17/8/2026 11:35 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢Topic📢 Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...
Another way is to financially help people to start and grow families by penalising those who choose not to.
Nowadays a lot of pawrents. This shows people have lots of disposable income.
Heavily tax pets, and pet products and services to fund human family growth.
Use the extra tax collected to make it free to give birth in hospital and free childcare
[17/8/2026 11:50 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢Topic📢 Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...
1. Lower the price of baby products.
It doesn't make sense that the exact same milk powder / diapers etc cost 1/2 what it cost in SG
Some shameless profiteering happening in SG
[17/8/2026 11:56 am] LCL (Danny 心):
Another important thing that youth must feel confident their career - despite disruptions from eg. AI, business transformation or other factors or tech disruptors - must be confident that government is always at their back to support them to get reemployed until they reach retirement.
This is to ensure they have 无后顾之忧。
That is at no point throughout their lives - they are unable to put food on the table for their family members including their children.
Only them youth will will confident to marry and have children.
[17/8/2026 11:58 am] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> Another important thing that youth must feel confident their...
NTUC’s first job security chief has two worries: fresh graduates and older PMEs | The Straits Times.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ntucs-first-job-security-chief-has-two-worries-fresh-graduates-and-older-pmes
Being discouraged at a young age does not bode well for one’s future, said Lim.
“You need to go in with a certain optimism that it will be okay. And even if my first job is not my ideal job, along the way, Singapore has enough opportunities for me to transit and move on,” she said.
It is very important for the youth to see their future in Singapore and to believe they will be able to afford homes and raise families, rather than to fear job loss and hence decide not to do so, said Lim.
Moving forward, Singaporeans may have to rethink what job security means, said Lim.
It is increasingly not about staying in one job forever, she said. “It is about being able to find the right job for you at the right time.”
[17/8/2026 12:00 pm] G in reply to G:
> 1. Lower the price of baby products....
"A common myth that Singaporeans may believe is that milk powder from Malaysia may be “inferior” than those bought in Singapore because they come from different manufacturer. This is mostly untrue.
What many people do not realise is that premium milk brands in Malaysia such as Similac actually imports its supply from countries like Ireland, Spain and yes, even Singapore (https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/138401/no-fake-similac-infant-formula-malaysia-says-health-ministry)."
"So the irony is that when you travel to Malaysia to buy cheaper milk powder, you might actually be buying a product that was originally produced in Singapore."
https://dollarsandsense.sg/milk-powder-cheaper-malaysia-heres-why/
[17/8/2026 12:01 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> NTUC’s first job security chief has two worries:...
NTUC Unions assurance in this news is a confident booster.
But on the ground, people must genuinely benefits from this assurance.
Only then it will give assurance to people to start a family without fear and anxiety - as government is always at their back to provide assistance when chips are down.
[17/8/2026 12:03 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> Another important thing that youth must feel confident their...
So money is still important right?
The way you say earlier "money is not everything" and "see the big picture, and not hype on trivial matter"
How does your earlier comment fit in with your this comment
[17/8/2026 12:05 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to G:
> So money is still important right?...
This is in reference to PM Lawrence Wong context.
[17/8/2026 12:10 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> This is in reference to PM Lawrence Wong context.
Catch no ball. What is PM context? PM got no kids because he not enough money?
[17/8/2026 12:10 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Never mind if catch no ball.
[17/8/2026 12:11 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> Never mind if catch no ball.
Your earlier comment imply money not important leh
Then subsequent comment say important to put food on the table, which implies money is important
So which is which?
[17/8/2026 12:12 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
As long as people understand is ok.
No need to elaborate.
[17/8/2026 12:20 pm] Jun Ming in reply to G:
> Your earlier comment imply money not important leh Then...
When money cross a certain threshold it's not important. So I ask why pm don't have kids since he's so rich
[17/8/2026 12:20 pm] Jun Ming: He probably can afford to have 10 kids
[17/8/2026 12:22 pm] Jun Ming: If money is the most important factor pm should have kids
[17/8/2026 12:23 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> When money cross a certain threshold it's not important....
Yes.
You mention why PM Lawrence Wong so high income earner should have kids.
I say money is not the only factor in PM case.
There could be other constraints eg. Biological constraints.
We should not use one person as example - because a person personal circumstances are different in everyone.
It is a trivial matter.
We should look at a bigger picture.
So good that you understand my message.
[17/8/2026 12:26 pm] Jun Ming: But I think as a general trend high income earners have less kids
[17/8/2026 12:28 pm] Jun Ming: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/entities/publication/5d003d0e-9fc1-47d9-bd69-47474d6b55e5
[17/8/2026 12:29 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2026/07/2025-household-survey/index.html
[17/8/2026 12:45 pm] G in reply to Daniel:
> I think the childcare aspect is very important....
Pre 2000, number of childcare leave wasn't so much of an issue because there were still many single income households. Father's salary can cover living expenses plus some more.
Mother can be stay home mum to cover child care issues even when children are in school.
So back then didn't really need so many child care leave.
But nowadays, cost of living so high, almost no households can afford to be single income anymore. Father and mother both need to work, and sometimes work multiple jobs, just to make ends meet.
[17/8/2026 1:12 pm] Ethan: Apart from just work and child bearing costs which are 2 BIG factors.
I guess it’s just the mindset of people now.
They prefer more freedom and flexibility, wanna travel more, don’t wanna have financial commitment for the next twenty yrs etc etc
[17/8/2026 1:13 pm] Ethan: And some even fear that with AI coming, so many wars ongoing, why bring your kid to such a world
[17/8/2026 1:16 pm] Ethan: While I really appreciate what the gov does, I’m just wondering if it’s even enough to change ppl’s mindset.
Or alternatively the baby bonus should be too attractive that people just go for it and leave all their other “concerns” behind.
E.g. 7yrs tax free for 1 child, 10yrs tax free for 2nd child, etc. or 100k net SGD bonus, etc etc.
Something that’s dramatic, something that will just bring people across the line.
[17/8/2026 1:20 pm] Ethan: Should have some of the female ministers (who have kids) to document their journey of raising their kids on social media in a positive manner.(I know there’s the issue of privacy, have to find a solution for that)
But there’s just so much content out there for people to YOLO, sharing about the burden of kids, the liabilities that comes with it. And we all know female consumption of social media is generally higher than male, inevitably those messages will get to them.
Thus should have more pro child influencers out there spreading the messages.
[17/8/2026 1:20 pm] Ethan: There’s just so much more need to be done to address fertility issue that the gov have not touched upon
[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Ethan:
> Apart from just work and child bearing costs which are 2 BIG...
I think this is the main reason
[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan in reply to Jun Ming:
> I think this is the main reason
Atleast for cost and work it’s Not really a concern to some.
[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan: Spoke to females colleagues at work, All well paid
[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan: Married with no kids
[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan: Those are not their concerns
[17/8/2026 1:24 pm] Jun Ming: At least for me I see marriage as a lock when i see my parents and sister quarrel.
[17/8/2026 1:25 pm] Jun Ming: I am like why should I get myself into so much trouble where I can chill somewhere else
[17/8/2026 1:26 pm] Ethan: I guess every couple have their own concerns
[17/8/2026 1:26 pm] Jun Ming: marriage for some is a contract after the love fade
[17/8/2026 1:26 pm] Ethan: One solution can’t cure all
[17/8/2026 1:27 pm] Ethan: Thus was proposing something drastic, like a crazy amount of baby bonus, or a crazy amount of tax relief as mentioned above that people will just go for that and forget about other concerns
[17/8/2026 1:28 pm] Jun Ming: Other factors such as time and money is a support. I mean relief those who already want to have kids, realistically
[17/8/2026 1:30 pm] Jun Ming: But still the big environment have a big influence. I might want to have kids if the future look optimistic.
[17/8/2026 1:31 pm] Ethan: I’m also not too sure if advocating for those already have kids to have more or to have those without kids to have 1or2.
It’ll lead to a situation in the future that all your kids are working to support those married old couples with no kids. Not sure if you want your kids to be in that situation as well.
[17/8/2026 1:32 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Ethan:
> I’m also not too sure if advocating for those already have...
Those who planned to have kids those support will help to speed up the progress
[17/8/2026 1:33 pm] Jun Ming: So I think the gov role right now is just acting as a catalyst, rather than creating new opportunity
[17/8/2026 1:34 pm] Ethan: Gov have been trying to be the catalyst for the past decade or so
[17/8/2026 1:34 pm] Ethan: We all know where that’s going
[17/8/2026 1:34 pm] Jun Ming: As for creating new opportunity make more single mingle and social, not many effort is being taken
[17/8/2026 1:35 pm] Jun Ming: Gov solution for now is to encourage couples to have more babies. At least based on the trend.
[17/8/2026 1:38 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:
> As for creating new opportunity make more single mingle and...
Creating more time to mingle is essential
[17/8/2026 1:45 pm] Ethan: Also childcare leave is a big issue.
Realistically 6 days isn’t anywhere near enough.
You get hand foot mouth one time, it’s already 5 days gone. Not counting other illness, vaccine jabs, etc. those without parents or in laws to help look after 6 days of childcare leave just doesn’t work for them.
[17/8/2026 1:46 pm] Daniel: And it's 6 days whether got 1 child or 4.
[17/8/2026 1:47 pm] Ethan: I heard 2 children increase to 9 days?
[17/8/2026 1:47 pm] Ethan: Or no longer the case
[17/8/2026 1:47 pm] Daniel: No, some employers will give. But not generally done
[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Daniel: I only get 6 and I have 2
[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Ethan: But to. Be honest I’m extremely lucky to have my in laws helping. If not easily 15days gone
[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Ethan: You have influenza A which is going crazy now, and then you have HFMD
[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Ethan: And so many little illness here and there
[17/8/2026 1:51 pm] Andy: As people become more successful, your time is worth more money, having a child means having more to lose.
Housing and finance: A simple additional room in the home can cost upfront 100k to 200k. I don't think the priority schemes are significant enough in securing a flat for Singaporeans who want to have more children. We should introduce more housing subsidies and entitlement for parents having 2+ children.
Education: students are graduating later compared to the previous generations. Degrees, masters are becoming more common to compete in the tough job market. This means people are settling down, stabilizing their careers at a later age. IMO we MUST reduce the number of years of education and prioritize syllabus. Call it bold, but pri sch 4 years, sec sch 3 years, uni 3 years. Maybe even shorten NS to 1 year. Our young adults will get an earlier headstart from graduation.
Culture: Funny point but I think we need to psycho a 'family-centric culture' put up more posters of families, activities, a strong support system. People need to think that having a family is a checkbox in life.
Workplace culture, baby bonuses are important too yes, but they only work on 'people who want to have kids but face external challenges'. They do not work on people who don't even want kids in the first place. Many youngsters have this mentality of 'why bring a child into this world to suffer'
[17/8/2026 1:57 pm] Andy: It's one of the most important yet trickiest problems in the developed world. The gov must be bold and decisive in their action and engage even more youngsters. I feel, clearly Indranee and whoever else in there is too out of touch... I worry about what SG will look like in 10 to 20 years... foreigner situation already very bad now compared to the 1990s, it can only get worse
[17/8/2026 2:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢Topic📢
[17/8/2026 2:05 pm] Andy: Bad. None of these actually address youngsters who do not want to have kids. They alleviate the challenges of existing or soon-to-be parents. 4 lagi worse, taichi away to everyone else, we have to everyday support other ppl's families now? 😂 may as well don't say.
[17/8/2026 2:11 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆 in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢Topic📢 Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...
Given what has been coming out the work group, I'm quite skeptical if they can legit see the numerous root causes of the issue. Child raising costs and workplace culture is 1 thing, but there are also many other issues. National culture, housing, education system, nature of competition in the country and how it plays out in reality. The birth rate issue isn't just because of 1 or a few causes, it's a multitude of causes in which requires great political will to change. Will the government see to that? I don't have much hope in that.
[17/8/2026 2:11 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆: It may have a supermajority but the will for reform seems weak.
[17/8/2026 2:21 pm] Ethan: Also don’t think it should entirely be up to the gov to do.
Cultural mindset etc. have more pro life pro child content out there.
[17/8/2026 2:22 pm] Ethan: Influencers these days just flaunt themselves living the high life
[17/8/2026 2:22 pm] Ethan: Instead can be more pro life content
[17/8/2026 2:28 pm] Andy: I think there are some influencers with family content. but it seems to me interest in such content is quite low
[17/8/2026 3:20 pm] G in reply to Ethan:
> Also childcare leave is a big issue....
6 days per year only if the child is below 7. Once pri school age child care leave will decrease to 2
[17/8/2026 3:22 pm] G in reply to G:
> 6 days per year only if the child is below 7....
2 days child care leave in pri school is only enough for 2 x mee the parents session
Your kid cannot fall sick, and the school better don't organise something that requires parents participation
[17/8/2026 3:26 pm] G in reply to Andy:
> Bad. None of these actually address youngsters who do not want...
So need to heavy hand: heavily incentivise parenthood, heavily disincentivise choosing not to be parents
Tax the singles jialat jialat
Tax pawrents jialat jialat (especially this group because being pawrents mean got significant amount of disposable money)
Use the tax money collected to heavily incentivise choosing to be parents like
More govt paid childcare leave
Free hospital stay for child birth etc
[17/8/2026 3:27 pm] G: Go back to old school nation building mode. This time literally building the nation with people
[17/8/2026 3:31 pm] Andy: You may be right, I thought of that too but will it trigger adverse effect? People want to have kids to evade the stick/taxes, save some money. And they don't actually want to build a family and care for their children.
Yes it'll increase birth rates, but also number of broken families. Not a good path to go down despite being in same direction.
[17/8/2026 3:33 pm] Andy: Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents to get 4 room and above housing will be more effective. Yeah increase pet food prices etc like you mentioned too.
[17/8/2026 3:34 pm] Jun Ming: Maybe incentive must start from marriage. Eg. Giving hamper to boost fertility, and give incentive to get married first
[17/8/2026 3:34 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Andy:
> Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents...
Neh not a good path. People will be more depressed
[17/8/2026 3:34 pm] G in reply to Andy:
> You may be right, I thought of that too but will it trigger...
It's a start. Next to address cost of living
Pre-2000, number of childcare leave wasn't so much of an issue in terms of child caring because there were still many single income households. Father's salary can cover living expenses plus some more.
Mother can be stay home mum to cover child care issues even when children are in school (meet the teachers, children sick, excursion etc)
So back then didn't really need so many child care leave.
But nowadays, cost of living so high, almost no households can afford to be single income anymore. Father and mother both need to work, and sometimes work multiple jobs, just to make ends meet.
[17/8/2026 3:35 pm] Jun Ming: And having pets are not that expensive actually
[17/8/2026 3:35 pm] Andy in reply to Jun Ming:
> Neh not a good path. People will be more depressed
Carrot works better than stick here for sure haha
[17/8/2026 3:35 pm] G in reply to Andy:
> Carrot works better than stick here for sure haha
Carrot and stick works better than carrot or stick
[17/8/2026 3:36 pm] Andy: But really if people don't have children do they NEED a larger home, not as much
[17/8/2026 3:36 pm] Jun Ming: Just like when you increase coe people don't buy car but doesn't mean they will take public transport
[17/8/2026 3:36 pm] Jun Ming: They can just rot at home
[17/8/2026 3:37 pm] Jun Ming: Or having robot pets
[17/8/2026 3:38 pm] G in reply to Andy:
> Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents...
Anyone can apply for whatever size housing they want. But after x number of years, if the household size has not increased (by choice) then those staying in larger BTOs (4 room and above) need to start paying extra
[17/8/2026 3:38 pm] G in reply to Jun Ming:
> And having pets are not that expensive actually
Tamagochi quite cheap. Replacement batteries also cheap
---
[17/8/2026 3:38 pm] G in reply to Jun Ming:
> And having pets are not that expensive actually
Tamagochi quite cheap. Replacement batteries also cheap
[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Jun Ming: And dating apps are full of scammers ngl
[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Jun Ming: I tried bumble end up kena scam
[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Andy: 😂
[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Jun Ming: Don't trust love liao
[17/8/2026 3:41 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> And dating apps are full of scammers ngl
That's why government need to be involved in the date matching to let the youth gain confidence.
[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] Jun Ming: The scammer is a Singaporean...🫥
[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] Andy in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> That's why government need to be involved in the date matching...
There was this thing called Firstdate by Govtech
[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] G in reply to Andy:
> Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents...
"In Singapore, pet owners can buy sailboat cruises and aromatherapy sessions for their companions, the Daily Telegraph reports (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/9955493/The-exceedingly-pampered-pooches-of-Singapore.html). Hong Kong has a luxury dog hotel (http://www.dogotel.com/our-services.html) for animals whose owners—sorry, “parents”— cannot bear the thought of leaving them in a mere kennel. Allegedly designed in consultation with an animal psychologist, it has a beauty spa and a shop selling products with names such as “Ultrasonic Hydro Bath”. (Here is a photo gallery (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.523619764328663.126608.114768521880458&type=1) of its primped and coiffed guests.)"
😂
👆This type of pet services can tax jialat jialat
https://qz.com/68680/dog-pampering-obsessions-in-singapore-and-hong-kong-foreshadow-a-demographic-time-bomb
[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Andy:
> There was this thing called Firstdate by Govtech
Oh is it?
Only reserve for govtech staff?
[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] Jun Ming: For people age below 35
[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] Andy in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> Oh is it? Only reserve for govtech staff?
Dating app with Singpass verification. You can use your AI to check 😂
[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] G in reply to Andy:
> There was this thing called Firstdate by Govtech
Bring back SDU 😂
[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> For people age below 35
Open for all?
But not advertise to everyone.
[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] Jun Ming: But now I am actually very busy not ready for love so didn't try out anything
[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] Andy in reply to LCL (Danny 心):
> Open for all? But not advertise to everyone.
you far from the target age range la i think... 😂😂😂
[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] G: Matchmaking step 1 nia. Need to target those already married but choose not to have kids
[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.straitstimes.com/life/govtech-seeking-feedback-on-a-dating-service-with-free-meals-and-singpass-verification
[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Andy:
> you far from the target age range la i think... 😂😂😂
Not for me.
For the youth.
[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] Jun Ming: Still in planning stage I guess
[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> https://www.straitstimes.com/life/govtech-seeking-feedback-on-...
I see thank you.
[17/8/2026 3:45 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> Still in planning stage I guess
I see.
[17/8/2026 3:46 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:
> https://www.straitstimes.com/life/govtech-seeking-feedback-on-...
Yes.
Such government organized matchmaking should inspire confidence for the youth to seek their life partner.
[17/8/2026 3:49 pm] Jun Ming: Actually coffee meets bagel actually not bad service
[17/8/2026 3:50 pm] Jun Ming: But right society have one expectations that man makes the first move
[17/8/2026 3:51 pm] Jun Ming: While a lot of single are introvert
[17/8/2026 3:52 pm] Jun Ming: When introvert means naturally they don't have a lot of photos of themselves and they don't express themselves good
[17/8/2026 3:52 pm] Jun Ming: So disadvantage while trying to find a mate
[17/8/2026 3:54 pm] Jun Ming: And usually these groups of people are good boy and good girls type. Not the top and not the bottom.
[17/8/2026 3:55 pm] Jun Ming: They don't go club and social. Hence no gf/bf
[17/8/2026 4:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢Topic📢
[17/8/2026 5:37 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
My close friend comments:-
I feel that we are just trying to incentivise or can only incentivise those who want kids.
Fundamentally, I think more and more young adults do not want kids.
They are prioritising other things above child bearing, child raising, parenthood.
This requires more educational and mindset shifts rather than a MOF budget job 😉
Definition of quality of life is quality homes, cars, holidays, helpers, assets. Having children negate these life goals.
In my extended family, my uncles' and aunts have many children. Small families have 5-7 children and big families above 10.
Certainly not to the liking of gov at that time. But most of us were poor or very poor then.
Mindset and priorities were different.
Children were heavenly blessings, how can we deny the heaven?
Gov campaign of stop at 2 gave people a fresh dimension that 2 is more (they get better attention, quality of life) can we not re campaign to re educate people?
Budget schemes, leave schemes are nice but they only apply to the minority who wants kids or those who are sitting on the fence.
[17/8/2026 6:45 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
[17/8/2026 7:01 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
====
