Oh, kids these days!

[thedude]

"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.

I think the issue, at least the issue that Singapore is addressing with these classes, is that their young educated people are too socially awkward and spend too much time learn math and not enough time learning how to talk to members of the opposite sex. That is probably true of all countries. If you look at the number of sexually active students in American colleges, the number in the more time consuming majors (like bio and chem) is much lower than in majors that are less time consuming.

[Madison]

I think the issue, at least the issue that Singapore is addressing with these classes, is that their young educated people are too socially awkward and spend too much time learn math and not enough time learning how to talk to members of the opposite sex. That is probably true of all countries. If you look at the number of sexually active students in American colleges, the number in the more time consuming majors (like bio and chem) is much lower than in majors that are less time consuming.

Why exactly is that considered a "problem"?

I mean, the flow should be:

Education so one can provide for themselves and their family.
Meet a significant other.
Get married.
Start family.
Live on solid income(s).

But pushing young people to have kids results in:

Early pregnancy.
Loss of education (gotta work to support the baby).
Unhappy and stressful marriages.
Trying to live off burger-flipping wages.
Ruined lives (for everyone).

Just doesn't make sense to me...

[jlm53089]

I have to agree with madison.

I mean people should not worry about kids until they either A. Have a set career/job.
B. Get their degree and get on the path to A.

But as we all know things do not always work out that way.

[The Artful Dodger]

I think the issue, at least the issue that Singapore is addressing with these classes, is that their young educated people are too socially awkward and spend too much time learn math and not enough time learning how to talk to members of the opposite sex. That is probably true of all countries. If you look at the number of sexually active students in American colleges, the number in the more time consuming majors (like bio and chem) is much lower than in majors that are less time consuming.

Are you also insinuating that those of who wasted their time in computer science can't get some either?

In general, I noticed that when I was earning my CS degree, that I had less time with my first girlfriend and that's why we were just on and off again and that's why the relationship never really worked out. Most of my peers even though they don't fall into the lab geek stereotype were just apathetic about pursuing relationships. Finding balance is key and it can be done, as it worked some in my second and third relationships, and I still had time to get wasted with friends and all that good stuff.

Back on topic, I'm more or less surprised that this is a government-backed program and two, how detailed it is in going skin deep to look into the psychology of love songs, glances, and so on. I'm with Mad that this is a really awkward program given that it encourages folks to go out there and multiply when usually encouraging getting a good education leads to greater societal health while letting the dating/relationships come more naturally.