Personal choices and decisions, not the government's.

This post goes out especially to my Sec 2s in response to one of their answers made in the recent CA2. I have to address this misconception, or unsound judgment on your part rather, before you move on to the adult world thinking that every problem can be solve using monetary means.

One of the questions asked for measures which Singapore can take in order to increase our low birth rates. Many of you were able to describe and explain the government pro-natalist policies such as tax rebates and baby bonuses to encourage married couples to have more children. 

However, there are a handful of you who suggested very draconian and shocking measures in your answer scripts which I would like to draw your attention to. Some of you have suggested that the government of Singapore can introduce 'penalties' such as 'increased taxes', 'fines' and even 'housing restrictions' to singles and couples who do NOT to have children.

I don't know who put that thought into you - I am surely sure that I didn't ever mention such a crazy measure in my class.  Let's get this right: it's important to boost our birth rates in order for us to maintain healthy population (and hence economic) growth but no government in the world has the right to discriminate citizens who choose to remain single or childless. 

We can encourage people to have more children by dangling carrots, but we have no right to 'punish' people for not having children or remaining single! Please think through carefully in future when you are asked to offer solutions to problems. The solution might sound logical, but an unsound solution will always backfire and cause more problems.

To procreate is a personal decision made between a man and woman in a marriage. Policies can be made to encourage them. But there should never be any policy that dehumanises an individual that treats him/her like a machine to boost productivity!

Do spend some time to reflect on this issue should you be one of the 'guilty' ones suggesting such ludicrous strategies to boost fertility rates.