Tan Yu Fan/Women and Work

The first main point of the article is that women are gradually dominating the work force.

Secondly, when women are working they would have difficultly juggling between work and taking care of their children.

Lastly, there are programmes and laws that make life easier for women

I agree with the author that women are dominating the work force, however, it is not necessary that they would be unable to juggle work and bringing their children up well.

It is evident in Singapore's case where most office going women have children who are doing well in both academics and their emotional growth. Singapore government has also implemented policies such as baby bonus, maternity leave and child sick leave for working mothers so that they would have no problem juggling between work and taking care of their child.

Jia Yu/ A New Marriage Proposal

There are 3 main points in this passage:

1. Couples nowadays do not consider about marriage as their goals.

2. Government has to step in and introduce marriage education policies. Marriage educators were paid to teach couples how to start planning for marriage and maintain good relationships with their spouses. They hope that this can allow the children to have a complete family.

3. Critics are worried that marriage educators could unwittingly pressure women to stay in abusive relationships. Liberals and libertarians also argue that marriage is a private decision and government should not intervene.

I do not agree with the writer that couples do not consider about marriage as their goals. Couples do still consider marriages as their goals. However, some couples may prefer to have financial stability first and be more prepared to start a family, thus they choose to put off the marriage. Also, some may still have unstable relationships. Since marriage is an important decision in one’s life, they may want to give themselves more time to know each other better, thus putting off the idea of getting married.

Having marriage education may be a good idea, however, I feel that marriage is a two-person matter and should not be rushed if the couples are not prepared to live together forever. We do not wish to see increasing divorce rates and affect children’s emotions. Hence, government should have minimal or no intervention.

Hwee Ling/ Why is marriage as an institution is still intact in India?

It is surprising that despite such a fast growing economy, India values marriages. In the past, men are able to get away with bigamy and women have to adapt to men's ever-changing behavior. Marriage is seen as something important India, A lot of money is spent and even the poor follow. This shows how much they value marriage. They are willing to contribute so much for a wedding to take place. The money is usually spent on jewelery for the bride and food. Every little detail has to be taken care of. Marriage is forever and common as mentioned in the article. Important religion values are taught from young by parents. Despite natural disasters occurring, which separates family, couples will still find their way back together.

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Ng Zeng Woon/ Who Needs a Husband?

In this article, the author serves to inform the reader of his opinions of views towards marriage and how women has evolved in attitude and perceptions to their status in relation to marriage.
However I shall be summarising what I feel are 3 of the most important points that the author has mentioned in his article.

They are:
1) Being more confident, more self-sufficient, and more choosy than ever, women no longer see marriage as a matter of survival and acceptance.

2) Society is far more accepting of single women than it was even a few years ago, which shows the evolution of society's perception of women with regards to marriage.

3)Mass media is playing a growing role in showing women today what they stand to gain or lose if they opt for being single.

I do agree with the author of the article to a large extent. I wish to highlight to all the main similarity of the 3 points, which is a changing society. Let me explain how this is so.

With a change in society comes a change in the views of society with regards to marriage. People, especially women, are nowadays having new perspectives with regards to marriage. Given that women are now growing in stature, women no longer see marriage as a matter of survival and acceptance as it was in the past.Women's growing in stature also means that more women are making a decision to become single instead of getting married or becoming single mothers through means such as adoption.
Likewise, with a growing state of technology, the mass media has improved by leaps and bounds, breaking boundaries and portraying like-minded views of the society with regards to marriage, a trend noticeable by a growing number of network shows focused on strong, career-minded single women, such as Judging Amy and Providence.
Some view that women are unrealistic about marriage--so picky about men that they're denying themselves and society the benefits of marriage while they pursue an impossible ideal. The rejection of marriage by more women reflect a widening gender gap--as daughters of the women's movement discover that men, all too often, have a far less liberated view of the wife's role in marriage. I would agree partially as it is not entirely true an assessment of today's women in context to their views and perceptions to marriage.

Germaine/ Two mommies is one too many

The author's first main point is that love alone is not enough to guarantee healthy growth and development in a child.

The author's second main point is that childrens needs have to be put into consideration as well.

The author's thrid point is that traditional marriage is God's design for the family and is rooted in blibical truth, where children have the best opportunity to thrive.

Yes i do agree with the author to a large extent that two mothers are definitely not the best choice for the healthy development of the child. As said in the passage, children do need a father and a mother to grow up healthily as the father and the mother both provide different views and qualities to the child. I feel that a child would not be able to grow up happily without a father or a mother. Parents are simply the child's only connection to the world when they first learn.
Also, the needs of children also have to be kept in consideration as the child may experience bullying or even teasing in school by their classmates just because they do not have a normal family. For example, research shows that a high percentage of children of gay or lesbian parents are bullied as a result of homophobia. As such, the children suffer emotional damage and may grow up to be violent, or even abusive.

GRACE EU/ OPINION:CHANGING THE FAMILY STRUCTURE

This article is showing the opinion of a member of the public on the changing family structure. This article clearly shows the author's view on family structure today.
There are changes in the family structure which include, the reproductive function; where couples are less willing to have children and the absence of children has become the most glaring issue in western countries, the economic function; such that families are no longer considered a single economic unit, but instead its members work singly and there is barely any interaction between its members. However, there are certain areas that have remained the same such as the sexual regulation function which refers to couples having sex after marriage. Recreational function has been losing importance due to the rising of modern recreation such as casinos, movies, dance halls and night clubs. This has affected the cohesion of the family as the members rather spend time outside of the family than spend time with the family.

I would mostly agree with the views of the author as the world is constantly changing, and people nowadays have a open mindset compared to those 30 years ago. For example, i strongly agree with the point made about parental and the educational functions. "External agencies like hospitals, outpatient clinics for mothers, maternity homes, the baby clinics, nurseries and kindergartens" are widely available nowadays due to advancement in technology. For 2 working parents, the can place their children in nurseries and child-care centers while they are at work. This ensures that the child is being well taken care of while the parent is at work. Also the article states that "the modern home is not equipped to train children for their adult careers" this is because of the modernization of jobs that require a specialized agency to teach the children of the necessary things for their future career.

HuiJun/ Are Asian Family Values the Future?

BLAME THE WOMEN. SPARE THE MEN.


Based on the article citing Jack Neo's infidelity as the issue, it is stated that the wife, Madam Irene Kng's endless boundary of tolerance has something to do with the Asian Family Values, or rather chinese culture. According to the late Robert van Gulik, a noted sinologist, sex, as seen by the Chinese, was not seen as a wrongful act as long as the consort and venue were appropriate. As such, 'san qi si qie' or 'three wives and four concubines' was common, especially for the wealthy. Furthermore, the victim of the adultery (wife) would have to blame it on her fate or the other woman, and not her adulterous spouse.

Next, in the confucianist society, males are seen as the dominating and important figure in the family while females are being dominated and marginalised! Gender inequality. Based on a survey in Taipei, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, most felt that the wronged party -usually the wife- ought to remain patient and try means to persuade her spouse to return.

Lastly, while mainland chinese men preferred women worse off than them, the women there preferred smarter and financially stable men. Besides these mainland women, there are also modern women who are willing to get involved with married men for romantic intimacy, without eventual marriage in mind.


I personally disagree with this confucianist theory that women are to be blamed for everything. The victim of this situation, adultery, should at least have a say. There should be a welfare organisation or helpline (for advice) for women who are going through this period of difficult time- tolerate unfaithful men so as to maintain a complete family. i think that men, no matter how rich, should stay loyal to their spouse, who sacrifices so much for the family. Furthermore, i think that the Chinese thinking of 'sex' is definitely unacceptable. One should be responsible for one's act and commiting adultery, by right, should instill guilt in parties involve and not allow them to escape this punishment- to have to live with guilt- with the mentality that 'as long as the consort and venue were appropriate, sex is not wrong'.

All in all, i protest and argue that women should be appreciated and not taken for granted! Marriage is a commitment. Commit or forget it.