The trouble is PachelbeL_20 is that Singapore is fast becoming a
metropolitican city much akin to New York City. Whereby, the ideals
is more tuned towards the individual than family values.
In Singapore during the 1960-70s , it was tradition that the girl
would get married around 18 while the guy should get married by 21.
During those days, the guy could still be schooling but will live
under his parents roof.
However, as the decades passed, this age limit grew as well...
girls became more demanding and wanted to live outside together
while the guys wanted to work on their careers. Then, came NS in
the late 60s and early 70s, the gap grew even larger. But still
some guys would get married before enlisting into the army for NS,
nowadays that is almost unheard of. Then, came the policy to have
only 2 kids, this made families smaller, its nature for people who
have lived in a smaller family to want to have equal or less number
of children in their own family. Thus, the strain on family
numbers.
To answer your question for the member of parliment who gave that
crude comment was Dr Ong Seh Hong (Aljunied GRC) who has 3 kids of
his own.
In my personal opinion, Singapore is lacking growth in the economy.
Part to do with our low birth rate in recent years. In order to
have a condusive economy, we do need to have a steady birth rate to
replace old/retired workers from the work force. Having a steady
increase in population, will make way for new buildings(housing,
malls, offices) and for more businesses to be created.
In order to increase the birth rates, the govt should look into
offering support and help to those families in need. My other posts
suggests that increasing child care centres would not help lower
the costs but increase the fees in the centres as more workers are
recruited. Providing key incentives to procreate, will help
increase the birth rate. The main key word is costs.
Another article mentioned on Monday's ST about abortions, and how
someone barked about disallowing abortions. Boy will that really
destroy families. 
