When I lived in Singapore in the seventies, the Government's mantra was "Boy or girl, two is enough" I remember a student writing in an essay that when she grew up, she was going to have a small family - about 6. So big families, preferably boys, were the norm.
Then Singapore became first-world. Lee Kuan Yew expressed concern at the falling birth-rate, especially among more highly educated women, and began to organise dating get-togethers for graduates.
Today, like other developed nations, its birth-rate has fallen and the Government's rhetoric has also changed. Family planning information is used to a different end. Today Singapore seems to be glad to have any babies to any mothers. No upper limit anymore. But lots of advice on planning ahead to have a baby in case it takes longer than you think, a warning that sperm can miss their mark after 28 (presumably the man's age), they are slower to swim after 28, that it takes a while to make a sperm, and not to wait too long before going off for IVF. All this was graphically illustrated at City Hall MRT Station. Piccies below - sorry there are so many, just couldn't choose. But I do like the very last one.....nothing to do with family planning but given the surrounding signs, could also be a commentary on parenthood.
And after all that, hold on tight and enjoy the ride...
And a message for Andrew Constance (who took over from Gladys as transport minister). Don't even think about it - the good burghers of Cheltenham couldn't cope.
Then Singapore became first-world. Lee Kuan Yew expressed concern at the falling birth-rate, especially among more highly educated women, and began to organise dating get-togethers for graduates.
Today, like other developed nations, its birth-rate has fallen and the Government's rhetoric has also changed. Family planning information is used to a different end. Today Singapore seems to be glad to have any babies to any mothers. No upper limit anymore. But lots of advice on planning ahead to have a baby in case it takes longer than you think, a warning that sperm can miss their mark after 28 (presumably the man's age), they are slower to swim after 28, that it takes a while to make a sperm, and not to wait too long before going off for IVF. All this was graphically illustrated at City Hall MRT Station. Piccies below - sorry there are so many, just couldn't choose. But I do like the very last one.....nothing to do with family planning but given the surrounding signs, could also be a commentary on parenthood.
And after all that, hold on tight and enjoy the ride...
And a message for Andrew Constance (who took over from Gladys as transport minister). Don't even think about it - the good burghers of Cheltenham couldn't cope.
