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Large Families II: A Cultivate Commune (July) update
In a society with one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, large families stand as a quiet counter‑statement to the Singaporean mainstream. At our Commune on 25 July, we returned to this provocative topic, hearing from two couples who are living it out: Michael and Karen See, with eight children, and Linus and Anne Marie Koh, with six.
- 18 August 2026
Building an (Un)anxious Generation
The move from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood has led to the rise in anxiety across the world. Social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt made this case in his 2024 book “The Anxious Generation”. Drawing from his findings, our research and policy lead Daniel Lim spoke at The Helping Hand “Ride and Run to Restore” on 18 April 2026, on the topic “Building an (Un)anxious Generation”. Here is an edited extract from the talk.
- July 10 2026
How Delayed Marriage and Parenthood Result in Sandwiched Families
Singaporeans are marrying later and having children later. Demographically, this increases the risk of acute sandwiched family struggles, especially with two or more generations of delayed marriage and parenthood. While it is important to support families in such situations, it is also important to encourage earlier marriage and parenthood planning. A version of this article was presented at our Commune on 16 May.
- June 30 2026
“Achievement-orientated Values” (Part 2 of 2): How this 1971 speech suggests solutions to fertility rates today
The 1971 speech by Parliamentary Secretary Inche Sha’ari Bin Tadin captured the heart and motivation of Singapore’s population control campaign. To pursue achievement and a high standard of living, “adaptations” had to be made to family life and childbearing, education and our value systems. To improve our fertility rates, we should perhaps do the opposite what he was calling for at the time.
- June 22 2026
More For You
What are “Good Enough” Marriages?
From a child’s perspective, “good enough” marriages are those where there is a low level of conflict between parents. Based on research, it would be better for children in the long term to reconcile such “good enough” marriages instead of divorce.
- 14 June 2024
Cultivate Unpacks: Sex and Gender
Cultivate Unpacks is a series to unpack some of the current terms being used in social discourse today. In this piece, we look at “sex” and “gender”.
- 7 June 2024
Social Media: “Burn” Someone, or Light the Way?
Imagine that you have a flaming torch in your hand. The fire at the end of the torch emits both heat and light. You can use this torch to set fire and burn someone or something, or you can use it to light a path in the darkness.
- 31 May 2024
