Oh my gosh, Lau Geok Theng – the problematics of “urbanised Western attitude” aside, I totally forgive you for giving me a C+ in Asian Markets and Marketing Management back in the summer of 2006!
Let singles own HDB flats at 25
WHILE it is gratifying to read that the Housing Board is reviewing the rule governing co-sharing of flats by siblings (‘HDB to review rule on siblings’; Jan 18), the HDB should also lower the age for flat ownership by single citizens by a decade to 25 years of age.
As Singaporeans adopt a more urbanised Western attitude, it would make sense to accommodate their obvious desire to live on their own.
Such a move should not be seen as a lack of filial concern for their parents. My two children do not live with me, yet we have healthy relationships.
Staying out enables young people to grow up and be more independent. It prepares them to be better partners and parents in the future.
Many parents in our Asian culture still mother their adult children and make decisions for them. Many even impose curfew hours for their single adult children when the latter are well into their early 30s.
We can encourage these young single people to get married by providing generous incentives when they upgrade their flats to get married.
Young adult citizens at an early stage of their careers form a large proportion of the group of Singaporeans who face the middle-income squeeze and they would certainly welcome assistance, given the stiff property prices.
Dr Lau Geok Theng
