<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Sep 12, 2009
Living with parents: Three views
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>First, tackle high cost of starting a family
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I COULD not agree more with Mr Peter Huber's letter on Wednesday, 'Few babies? It's the Hotel Mama mindset'.
Singapore's housing policy affects not only singles' independence but also young couples' choices. My fiance and I are in our late 20s and early 30s, a stage in our lives when we are planning to settle down and start a family. We both love children and want at least two of our own.
However, our excitement to start a family is quickly fading as we start searching for a place to call our own. Sky-high property prices are forcing us to rethink our decision to have more children. Can we afford a place comfortable enough for a family of five? Can I take a less-paying job to take care of my children or do I need to outsource my motherhood to afford such a place? What is the point of having a second child if I have to live with the guilt of not giving enough time to my firstborn?
Policymakers should focus on tackling the high cost associated with starting a family and spend less resources on encouraging couples to get married. Staying single or getting married is a matter of personal preference. On the other hand, having more or fewer children is usually associated with the availability of resources.
If the costs of retirement and taking care of our ageing parents are added into the equation, having children will be the last thing on our minds.
Jenny Lim (Ms)
Living with parents: Three views
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>First, tackle high cost of starting a family
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I COULD not agree more with Mr Peter Huber's letter on Wednesday, 'Few babies? It's the Hotel Mama mindset'.
Singapore's housing policy affects not only singles' independence but also young couples' choices. My fiance and I are in our late 20s and early 30s, a stage in our lives when we are planning to settle down and start a family. We both love children and want at least two of our own.
However, our excitement to start a family is quickly fading as we start searching for a place to call our own. Sky-high property prices are forcing us to rethink our decision to have more children. Can we afford a place comfortable enough for a family of five? Can I take a less-paying job to take care of my children or do I need to outsource my motherhood to afford such a place? What is the point of having a second child if I have to live with the guilt of not giving enough time to my firstborn?
Policymakers should focus on tackling the high cost associated with starting a family and spend less resources on encouraging couples to get married. Staying single or getting married is a matter of personal preference. On the other hand, having more or fewer children is usually associated with the availability of resources.
If the costs of retirement and taking care of our ageing parents are added into the equation, having children will be the last thing on our minds.
Jenny Lim (Ms)
