GOVERNMENTS rarely succeed at egging on the stork, experiences in places like Japan, Taiwan and South Korea are showing.

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I think in the long run we risk over-compensating again - like the last time's "two child" policy. It takes a long time to see the effect and consequences of social policies. And often, it comes back to haunt you in the most unexpected ways.

Once bitten twice shy.
Never bitter never shy, try try again, if at first you don't succeed, try try again. Aspire never tire! We love children, but my wife only want to have one child. Try try again.
from http:theinnozablog.blogspot.com

#3 - according to Traditional Asian Value you entitled to have a second wife leh.

The incentives given by the govt can only do so much to encourage parents to have more children. I have 3 children in primary school, whom my wife & I would like to spend more time with. However, we both work long hours, & the weekends are filled with tuition & other enrichment classes, which the children cannot attend on weekdays, because there is no one to ferry them there.

Having said that, we are fortunate to have a trusted maid & my elderly parents who watch over them during weekdays, after school. Unfortunately, not every parent is so blessed. Many do not have the kind of family support that we enjoy.

"I think in the long run we risk over-compensating again - like the last time's "two child" policy. It takes a long time to see the effect and consequences of social policies. And often, it comes back to haunt you in the most unexpected ways"

Yeah..this is what happens when you try to play God.. should just let nature take its course..

Financial rewards are only good if the couple are determined and willing to have children. No amount of financial handouts or goodies will coerce singles to get married or couples to have children if they do not wish to for various reasons. Today's ST estimated that the cost of raising a child to university level is a whopping S$296K. This is just for the average child. Don't expect overseas university education or medical education. Already Singaporeans have mortgaged themselves to the hilt - HDB loan, car loan etc. It does not take a mathematician to tell you that for the average heartlander couple living in a 4-room HDB flat and owning a car, earning a combined income of $5K a month, there isn't very much money left over after paying for the essentials. Don't even talk about overseas holidays and luxuries.

This Sunday PM's National Day Rally speech.

What will be in that speech and what will be the bold baby-shaking changes in policy?

I sincerely hope the maid levy be looked into and waived. I also hope taht maids as helpers be allowed to work in day care centres and in household on-call cleaning service companies providing hourly cleaning services.

We have to revolutionise our thinking on this to lessen the housework load on working parents for them to send more time with the kids in the evenings and on weekends and not be burdened down with housework if they can afford it.

Lifting the maid levy will make it more affordable, isn't it?

why not money makes the world go round,given the satisfied amt they will start 2 produce

maybe they can consider another option tat is amending the law 2 allow man with adequate financial ability 2 have a 2nd or possibly a 3rd wife