Well said. I salute you for making it to four. We wanted four or five but couldn’t make it past three.
I sometimes wonder if all the baby bonus and other benefits that get thrown at us are because the government doesn’t really think beyond the first level - “baby expensive = make cheaper” while missing the status and culture aspect that you are hitting on.
I’ve never met someone who said “baby bonus too small to have kids!” Instead it’s because all their friends don’t have kids, they don’t like how it would change their life, they have a certain lifestyle, etc… But all of this is status signalling. It’s not set in stone.
All the benefits you list out would be awesome but I’d prefer not to see people who have kids just to get a COE. 😅
That said, I wonder what would happen if all our Ministers had at least 3 kids. If it was a requirement to run for government office.
Until the status narrative shifts to “more kids = high status” I doubt we will see any change no matter how much we “pay”. Though I will happily take anything offered. The desert is lonely…
Agree. I lately think about the slogan of the disability / enablement movements of "Nothing About Us Without Us". Too often people in power in any form - government, corporate, otherwise - think that they can make the right decisions for people they are trying to help without the messy part of actually speaking with them/living with them/seeing them.
Well said. I salute you for making it to four. We wanted four or five but couldn’t make it past three.
I sometimes wonder if all the baby bonus and other benefits that get thrown at us are because the government doesn’t really think beyond the first level - “baby expensive = make cheaper” while missing the status and culture aspect that you are hitting on.
I’ve never met someone who said “baby bonus too small to have kids!” Instead it’s because all their friends don’t have kids, they don’t like how it would change their life, they have a certain lifestyle, etc… But all of this is status signalling. It’s not set in stone.
All the benefits you list out would be awesome but I’d prefer not to see people who have kids just to get a COE. 😅
That said, I wonder what would happen if all our Ministers had at least 3 kids. If it was a requirement to run for government office.
Until the status narrative shifts to “more kids = high status” I doubt we will see any change no matter how much we “pay”. Though I will happily take anything offered. The desert is lonely…
Looking forward to your next posts!
you reminded me of what Kumar said to a Minister when he was asked for suggestions. Kumar told him to live in a HDB for a month.
Without going through the journey of having kids, I think it is hard for them to relate to it outside of it being an economic problem.
Just like a rich person telling a poor one why can't you just make more money.
Agree. I lately think about the slogan of the disability / enablement movements of "Nothing About Us Without Us". Too often people in power in any form - government, corporate, otherwise - think that they can make the right decisions for people they are trying to help without the messy part of actually speaking with them/living with them/seeing them.