Compare & Contrast Answers by Andy Ng

Provenance

andyng_ck — 2014-08-03 12:38:31 UTC

Source A is from a local blogger about the reluctance of Singaporeans to have more children while Source B is an article from The Straits Times by 2 taxation experts.

Similarity in Content

andyng_ck — 2014-08-03 12:40:31 UTC

There is similarity between the 2 sources in terms of the factors that Singaporeans consider when having a baby.

Source A shows a young couple that explicitly states that job stability, financial reasons and efficiency of HDB flats are factors that they consider when having babies.

Source B states that the government has reduce the waiting time for HDB flats, rolled out or bumped up non-tax monetary incentives in a bid to encourage young couples to get married.

Difference in Content

andyng_ck — 2014-08-03 12:44:16 UTC

There is difference in agreement between the sources as to whether the government has done enough to promote child birth.

Source A thinks that there are increasing competition for jobs with foreign talent and the HDB takes ages to build.

Source B thinks that the government has done quite a lot and deserves some credit. Initiatives such as increasing maternity/paternity leave, child-care leave and also rolling out non-tax monetary incentives.

Difference/Similar in Purpose

andyng_ck — 2014-08-03 12:47:34 UTC

I think both sources differ in their purpose. Source A is trying to inform the government that their approach and focus is incorrect. Source B is targeting young couples with their article, persuading them that the government deserves some credit for what they have done. Source A hopes that the government will do more and roll out more polices to benefit young couples having children. Source B hopes that young couples in Singapore will acknowledge the good work done by the government and have more babies.