Post on Padlet and share back when we next meet

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?

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

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.

•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.

"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. 

• 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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

• 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?