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Category: Marriage, Family And Children
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
Sandwiched Families: A Cultivate Commune (May) update
With delayed marriages and parenthood, low fertility rates and a rapidly ageing population, the number of sandwiched couples who have to care for both young and old is projected to increase. At our Commune on 16 May, we had a candid and uplifting discussion with two speakers in these circumstances, who left us with much encouragement and food for thought.
- 29 May 2026
How “Helicopter Parenting” Harms Children, and the Culture
Helicopter parenting cause harm to children in the long-term. It hinders development of essential life skills and resilience in children, and also make things difficult for others when they unfairly criticise, harass or even sue those they disagree with. We need a reasonable balance between protecting children and allowing them to take risk.
- 8 May 2026
Eyes on the Price: A Cultivate Commune (March) update
The more people prize parenthood, the less deterred they are by its perceived price. The reverse is also true. These were the findings from our “Eyes on the Price” supplementary analysis released at our Commune on 28 March. With our society becoming more atomised and narratives thinking of children as a burden, can we refocus our values and priorities as a society?
- 16 April 2026
Even in Old Age, Marriage Matters
As the foundation of family life, the benefits of marriage for children are well-known. But what about the elderly? Elderly who never married or are divorced or separated tend to have weaker intergenerational connections, being less likely to provide and receive support from their families. In “super-aged” Singapore, strengthening marriages must be a key priority, even as we look out for vulnerable seniors.
- 2 April 2026
Sandwiched Families: Too Many Ways to Make a “Sandwich”?
Conceptually, there is no one definition of a “sandwiched” family, ranging from those who live together or nearby, to different kinds of support or care provided to young and old. A reasonable estimate suggests there are more than 100,000 sandwiched households in Singapore. Perhaps valuing and supporting people in their caregiving journeys may be a more constructive way forward.
- 12 March 2026
How Society Can Help Men and Boys to Flourish
“We cannot succeed as a society if either men or women or both are demoralised and floundering in life.” Cultivate SG executive director Darius Lee spoke with Dr John Hui on a podcast published on 24 August 2025, on the “The State of the Family in Singapore - and What Men Can Do”. Here is an edited extract from the podcast.
- 9 February 2026
“Unfiltered – The Family on Trial” Conference 2025 – Presentation of Findings from “Marriage, Parenthood and Success” Survey
Our researcher Daniel Lim shared the findings from Cultivate’s “Marriage, Parenthood and Success” Survey at Cultivate SG's second annual conference, "Unfiltered - The Family on Trial", on 17 November 2025. Cultivate SG commissioned Pureprofile to survey 2,019 Singapore residents aged 21 and above on how societal ideals of success influence family decisions. Key results show marriage and parenthood rank low as markers of personal success compared to career and financial achievements.
- 9 January 2026
Fostering Hope: A Cultivate Commune (September) update
Fostering is a temporary care arrangement for children and young persons who need a safe environment. At our Commune on 27 September, Gracehaven Fostering and foster parents Joel and Rachel gave a glimpse of the joys and challenges of fostering.
- 5 January 2026
Unfiltered – The Family on Trial 2025: “Singapore Awakened: How Success and the Alternative of Flourishing Shape Family”, Keynote Address by Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Tan Seow Hon
Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Tan Seow Hon delivered the keynote address at Cultivate SG's second annual conference, "Unfiltered - The Family on Trial", on 17 November 2025. In her speech titled "Singapore Awakened: How Success - and the Alternative of Flourishing - Shape Family", Dr Tan reflects on the "Singapore Dream", the narrow mindset of success in contrast with the concept of flourishing, and how these impact marriage and family. She concludes by offering some thoughts on how to move from success to flourishing.
- 5 December 2025