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What do you foresee will happen in the next 5-10 years if these trends continue?

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What do you foresee will happen in the next 5-10 years if these trends continue?

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Observe and share examples of positive family/marriage narratives in your daily life,e.g. observe for ads/posters in public spaces

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Observe and share examples of positive family/marriage narratives in your daily life,e.g. observe for ads/posters in public spaces

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Take a photo of these observations

Post on Padlet and share back when we next meet

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hi i saw this on the bus to promote family 

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hi i saw this on the bus to promote family 

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youths do not prioritise starting a family over other priorities

would you want singapore to take this trajectory?

no - fewer people in the workforce

not sustainable in the long run for the country

what would life be for children, youths & seniors?

sg’s competitive advantage

who benefits in the st and lt? who is impacted in the st and lt?

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Short term outcome- fewer divorces fewer children,

Old aged- government got to step in to care (no children to take care for them)

Youth open to getting married, but prioritise career and financial goals. OK to marry later and neutral to have children

Economy progression, but not sustainable

Economic progress

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Group 2 - What would life be like for children, youths, couples, families, seniors?

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Group 2 - What would life be like for children, youths, couples, families, seniors?

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Biologically die out, society degrades as a whole.

More financial stress

Couples - more stress on the working class due to shrinking workforce - likely mitigated by AI - but still remains to be seen.

Youths - less community and support which may lead to a decline in their mental health

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Children and some parents having fun together

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Made For Families brand mark- SG hope that businesses, organisations and community groups will adopt to identify themselves as promoting the value of family in Singapore society.

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Have a casual chat with either your mum or dad about what their childhood was like – their highest highs, and lowest lows, and anything in between.

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Have a casual chat with either your mum or dad about what their childhood was like – their highest highs, and lowest lows, and anything in between.

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Write down 2-3 sentences on what you felt, and if anything you heard/learned surprised you.

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While I didn’t happen to come across any ads or posters about family, I came across several reels and videos by Regardless that talks about the contrasts between seeing children as a blessing or a liability.

Came to realise that it seems like our society has perhaps became more inward-looking (what would it cost me, sacrifice career, lifestyle for kids, etc) rather than outward looking (to love, care for a family).

These series of videos have made me reflect and challenged me on my heart posture and mindset to be more outward looking and see marriage and family as a blessing.

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Session 3 Pre-reading 1: What is Marriage? 

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Session 3 Pre-reading 1: What is Marriage? 

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Session 3 Pre-reading 2: The Personal Meaning & Benefits of Marriage

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Session 3 Pre-reading 2: The Personal Meaning & Benefits of Marriage

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•We talk to understand each other as individuals walking in our own directions.

•Until we decide get into the same car and begin our road trip together.

•The car allows us to go faster and further.

•That does not come naturally. (We need the GPS to help us navigate.)

•Things get more complicated when kids get in the car. (We make sure that safety measures are in place.)

•The longer the car runs, the more important it is to make sure it runs well. (We regularly service the car to keep it going.)

•Yet it is the best trip as we enjoy the scenery TOGETHER along the way,

Marriage – What a ride.

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It is our imperfections that makes us perfect for each other

"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. it is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences." - Dave Meurer.

A marriage doesn't need to be perfect; it needs to be united and built on love and commitment, even with imperfections

It's two imperfect people refusing to give up on each other.

Recognizing that relationships evolve, adapt, and stumble with flaws and insecurities is part of embracing unconditional love.

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creatively and succinctly present a narrative championing marriage that would resonate with your generation

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I am passionate about building families to love and communicate openly.

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I saw how hard my parents had to work sometimes and it made me learn to appreciate even the simplest things in life and to work hard as well. i will be teaching my future kids the same things so that they grow up humble.

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What im passionate when it comes to family! 

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What im passionate when it comes to family! 

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For families to realise that the differences/brokenness/areas of friction are not meant to be despised, but embraced! Because there is a hope for it to be mended into a product of beauty

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Something I am passionate about is that great (not just tolerable) marriages are possible, for us and for myself

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WHAT DOES “BETTER” LOOK LIKE?

facing the reality of my family background, and experiencing false hope of restoration many times

Experiencing helplessness and questioning ‘is there any hope for “better”?’

Struggling to imagine what “better could look like”, and realizing I have no idea what “better” could be for my family (and feeling a lot of anxiety do this)

Eventually letting go of the question ‘what does “better” look like’ and instead thinking about the little choices I can make to work towards whatever “better” will turn out to be.

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Grew up in a very present family, parents especially were always there (saw them practically everyday)

Dad left his job to take care of the family -> be more present

Want to carry on this idea of being present in the family in my future one

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We can rewrite our family story with our present and futures choices because we are not a victim of how we were brought up or experiences as a child. If we had dreams of how we want our family or relationships to be, we can make it happen.

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I grew up having two families. From one family, I learnt the values of hard work, honesty, and a simple life. From the other, I learnt the values of love, dedication, and compassion.

While it can sometimes be hard to reconcile the brokenness of family, with many marriages and families suffering the effects of past trauma and pain, I see the importance of continuing to persevere in love, faith and hope.

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A positive pattern in my family is how my parents always provide a safe and non judgemental space for me to share my struggles with them.

I see myself bringing this into my future family. I want my children to also feel safe to tell me anything, so they don't have to keep it to themselves or deal with it by bringing it to people who may give them unhelpful advice.

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Because of my background, I am particularly drawn to empathise with those in pain and seek to bring comfort through acknowledgement and understanding.

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The first word that comes to my mind about family is often “imperfect”. Differences that breeds tensions, tensions that creates a distance - this has made home a foreign place for me before as i’ve felt like maybe I am not as loved as i would have wanted to. As I grew, investing in family seems difficult and making a change seems hard. It is often easier to be passive, but I would only feel more distant.

Through small active choices like choosing to be curious about my sibling’s life or to spend more time with my parents, i slowly felt more connected and felt like there was a love tank that was filled. Especially when we have honest conversations about our past hurts and had to say our long overdue apologies. Yet, it was so worth it when healing came personally and into the family!

Choosing to take the step against the norm feels awkward and very difficult, but fighting for family is worth it!

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My family origin story had several negative patterns such as divorce, and I grew up with parents that wasn’t able to show much love because they didn’t receive it in the first place.

Despite that, I’m hopeful that I can have a partner and a family in the future that is rooted in love & faith, healed from the past wounds.

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from…

wanting to be a good kid n excel from a place of fear and responsibility to “hold my family together”

then personal struggles, feeling like no one wld ever understand and that family relationships “are just like that” -> “there is no point in trying”

to… being hopeful! (from witnessing and being part of breakthroughs in family) growing in child-likeness and being myself

tldr; there is a hope!!

restoration CAN take place

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2 discussion questions:

Which trend or challenge discussed by the panel concerns you most when you think about the future of family in Singapore?

Despite the challenges discussed, what gave you the most hope during the panel conversation?