SINGAPORE: People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) for West Coast–Jurong West GRC Cassandra Lee has come under online criticism, with netizens calling her remarks out of touch after she said it was the “best time to start and raise a family” in Singapore.
Speaking in Parliament on 24 September, Lee stressed that the Government was committed to supporting young parents as they juggle work and caregiving responsibilities, making it an opportune time to begin family life.
“This Government is listening, learning, and determined to act,” she said.
Lee described parenthood as a complex “family puzzle piece” that no longer fits as neatly as before, warning that “if the pieces do not align, the picture will reveal its fault lines”.
She highlighted three pressing issues facing young families: a widening care gap, the role of technology in parenting, and the importance of intergenerational connections in a fast-changing society.
Widening Care Gap
Lee noted that caring for both young children and ageing parents, while also managing financial pressures, often leaves families “stretched”, particularly in dual-income households.
She pointed out that four in 10 young people cite stress as their main reason for not wanting children.
“We are ambitious, but often exhausted,” she said, adding that parenthood is no longer the default choice for many.
“Let’s not make them choose between work and family. Let’s empower them to thrive in both,” Lee urged.
While acknowledging the financial and manpower challenges of family-friendly reforms, she clarified that her proposals should not come “at the expense of businesses”.
Instead, she called for a mindset shift from both employers and employees, citing the need for restructured childcare leave, flexible work arrangements, and stronger HR practices.
Navigating Technology
Lee also highlighted the challenges of parenting in the digital era.
“Google, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and ChatGPT have stepped in. But the Internet is no wise elder, and viral content often outruns accurate advice,” she said.
She added that Government policies must help parents make better-informed decisions about children’s nutrition, education, and well-being.
Connecting With Seniors
On her third theme, Lee said that engaging emotionally with senior residents was vital to ensuring they remain relevant in Singapore’s fast-paced social and economic environment.
“Empowering seniors to find their second lease of life will also ease the load on their children as they balance work and caregiving,” she said.
She suggested intergenerational sports, youth activities, and drawing on seniors’ life lessons to strengthen community ties.
“What the Singapore Puzzle will look like at SG100 depends most of all on today’s young parents, and those deciding whether to be parents,” Lee concluded.
“She’s Out of Touch,” Netizens Say
Lee’s comments, however, sparked a wave of backlash on Reddit and Mothership’s Facebook page, with many Singaporeans saying her remarks were disconnected from everyday struggles.
Some dismissed her speech as “funny”, likening it to a stand-up comedy routine.
One user wrote that the MP appeared completely disconnected from the public, arguing that it was already difficult to secure a good job in Singapore due to overcrowding.
“Maybe protect your own people first and ensure jobs are secure before commenting like a dumb MP who has never had the struggle of the common Singaporean,” the user said.
Another remarked that any average Singaporean would know this is not the best time to raise a family, pointing to mass layoffs, rising unemployment, and economic uncertainty.
“Which world is she living in?” the user asked.
Others responded with a mix of cynicism and sarcasm, with one calling it “Singapore’s golden era” and another saying it was the “best time to have kids and worry for the next 20 years”.
Cost of Living and Financial Pressures
Several netizens focused on the financial pressures faced by young families, urging Lee to step outside and see the reality of Singaporeans’ daily struggles.
One wrote that it was easier said than done, noting that in order to survive, both husband and wife needed to work — raising the issue of who would care for the child.
Another argued that many people could not even afford to buy their own homes, let alone raise a child in the current economic climate.
“If it was so easy, you wouldn’t even have to raise this issue in Parliament, and people would have already started big families long before you brought it up. Cost is always the number one issue,” one user remarked.
The post “Out of touch”: PAP MP Cassandra Lee faces criticism over “best time to raise a family” remarks appeared first on The Online Citizen.
