Forum: My vision of feminism is one that respects individual choices
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I refer to the letter from Aware executive director Corinna Lim ( Advocating for gender equality must not be seen as contentious
My vision of feminism is one that respects individual choices, including how people balance work and family life.
It is regrettable that Ms Lim misrepresented Senior Minister of State Sim Ann’s comments that “by allowing eligible young couples to apply for Housing Board flats, women learn to run their own households from a young age”.
Far from reflecting “outdated gender norms”, home ownership empowers both men and women, providing financial security, independence and the ability to build a future on their own terms.
As a woman, the opportunity to build a family together with my husband has been one of the most fulfilling and meaningful aspects of my life.
Much of today’s feminism seems to overemphasise money and power while devaluing family and caregiving. This is evident in Ms Lim’s push for 50 per cent female representation in leadership roles, and her singular focus on women in the workplace.
Yet, it is this very overemphasis that has led to caregiving being undervalued. And at the heart of this undervaluing is a deeper issue: a disregard for marriage, family and children, which is reflected in Singapore’s record-low total fertility rate of 0.97, far below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Marriage and family require mutual love, care and support from both husband and wife. Different roles do not mean inequality but rather a complementary partnership that strengthens both the family and society.
This model of cooperation, rather than competition, reflects the highest ideals of how men and women should work together – to advance the common good without being adversarial or divisive.
Adelin Tan Geok Lin
