Oh, kids these days!

[thedude]

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Wanna know what love is? Ask a Singaporean lecturer.

In an effort to boost the city-state's low birth rate, Singapore's Ngee Ann Polytechnic has launched a government-backed course teaching students about flirting and relationships. Subjects include love song analysis, speed-dating and online chatting.

"My teacher said if a guy looks into my eyes for more than five seconds, it could mean that he is attracted to me and I stand a chance," 18-year-old student Isabel Seet was quoted as saying by the local Straits Times newspaper.

The course, "Understanding Relationships: Love and Sexuality", is taught by an official from the Social Development Unit, the government's match-making agency.

It has become so popular since its inception in October last year that the school has had to recruit another trainer, the polytechnic's spokeswoman told Reuters.

The course is intended to provide an "understanding of the fundamentals of human relationships" and is one of two offered by Singapore's polytechnics to encourage young Singaporeans to get married, the newspaper said.

Fearing that an ageing population will hurt economic growth, Singapore's government has been trying for years to encourage educated young people in particular to have children, with incentives ranging from tax breaks to "baby bonuses".

There has also been more hands-on encouragement for university students in the form of parties and trips organised by the Social Development Unit.

"By learning the dynamics and intricacies of diverse relations, they can effectively apply strategies and techniques to cultivate fulfilling lifelong relationships," the spokeswoman said.

The course is modelled along general elective classes that students from all faculties can take.

Student Kamal Prakash told the Straits Times that while his relationship with his parents has improved since taking the course, he is still single.

"I think most people who take the course would find it easier to get a girlfriend," Prakash was quoted as saying. "But I'm not really looking for a girlfriend now as I want to concentrate on my studies."

http://africa.reuters.com/odd/news/usnSIN300246.html

[Old_Style]

"I think most people who take the course would find it easier to get a girlfriend," Prakash was quoted as saying. "But I'm not really looking for a girlfriend now as I want to concentrate on my studies."

There's the problem right there.

[jlm53089]

SingaporeMatch.com... I can see it now.

[AussieDodger]

"I think most people who take the course would find it easier to get a girlfriend," Prakash was quoted as saying. "But I'm not really looking for a girlfriend now as I want to concentrate on my studies."

There's the problem right there.

Educated people aren't having babies anymore.
I hate governments with a passion that have a baby bonus, that just fills the trailer parks.
For an educated person who isn't keen on kids, $5000 isn't going to change their mind so that "incentive" is a waste of time.

[Madison]

I thought China's birthrate was already something crazy? I remember hearing the story that if you took everyone born in China and they walked past you single-file, the line would never end due to the continued births. Or was that a different country and I'm totally losing my mind?

[AussieDodger]

I thought China's birthrate was already something crazy? I remember hearing the story that if you took everyone born in China and they walked past you single-file, the line would never end due to the continued births. Or was that a different country and I'm totally losing my mind?

I may be way off, but I think I heard they had a one child per couple cap now?
And the second one is "disposed of" ?
Does that ring of correctness to anyone?

[Half Massed]

There are courses like this all over America, the only reason this is newsworthy is that it's government-backed. Singapore's government is pretty good in dealing with public interest items, such as health care (Singapore has a really good system for universal health care), and I guess this is an interesting way to deal with the low-birth rate problem. It appears to be successful so far, if you can judge solely on interest in the course.

[Madison]

I thought China's birthrate was already something crazy? I remember hearing the story that if you took everyone born in China and they walked past you single-file, the line would never end due to the continued births. Or was that a different country and I'm totally losing my mind?

I may be way off, but I think I heard they had a one child per couple cap now?
And the second one is "disposed of" ?
Does that ring of correctness to anyone?

Yeah, I remember something about needing a license (might have been a permit) to have a child too.

I really gotta find some time to get back into the loop on a few things.

[bigken117]

I thought China's birthrate was already something crazy? I remember hearing the story that if you took everyone born in China and they walked past you single-file, the line would never end due to the continued births. Or was that a different country and I'm totally losing my mind?

I may be way off, but I think I heard they had a one child per couple cap now?
And the second one is "disposed of" ?
Does that ring of correctness to anyone?

I think that's just girls (to keep the birth rate down) but they're given up for adoption. My parents neighbors have 2.

[sportsaddict]

"I think most people who take the course would find it easier to get a girlfriend," Prakash was quoted as saying. "But I'm not really looking for a girlfriend now as I want to concentrate on my studies."

There's the problem right there.

Educated people aren't having babies anymore.
I hate governments with a passion that have a baby bonus, that just fills the trailer parks.
For an educated person who isn't keen on kids, $5000 isn't going to change their mind so that "incentive" is a waste of time.

Have you seen the movie Idiocracy? Maybe it's an "elitist" movie, but I personally thought it was hilarious. The beginning of the movie makes fun of the topic you are talking about.