Tuesday 11 November 2014

Are Singaporean Women Materialistic?

The New Paper Article on 1 September


Recently, there have been many articles on Singaporean women being materialistic, strong, demanding and opinionated. A scathing critique labelling Singaporean girls as ‘materialistic’, ‘childish’ and 'judgmental' has also been circulating online and it was also mentioned that local men prefer to marry Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese women as they are less materialistic and domineering.


According to an article in The New Paper on 1 September, 29 year old local Beauty Queen, Genecia Luo has gone on 100 arranged dates but has yet to find “The One” as her confidence and strong opinions are a turn-off for many men. 

Generally, many local and even foreign men are starting to view Singaporean women as materialistic and difficult to please. As a Singaporean girl, I beg to differ. Singaporean women possess many desirable qualities and are a good mix of the East and West. While we may appear dominant and Westernised, we still maintain many of our traditional Asian values. Here are some qualities that make us ideal marriage partners.

Independence
Our independence and earning power make us more equal partners in a marriage. As we earn our own money, we do not depend on a man for our survival and our livelihood. We are able to contribute to the household expenses and share the burden with our partner. We are able to take care of ourselves and are not needy and helpless. When we choose a partner, we do not just judge him based on his earning power. Kindness,supportiveness, filial piety and compatibility are important considerations too.

Sincerity
Singaporean women are generally more sincere and genuine. We do not manipulate a man just to get him to support us financially. We do not pretend to be nice just to lure a man into a relationship and marriage. Basically, we are just ourselves. What you see is what you get.

Versatility
Many Singaporean women are able to juggle work and domestic matters well. They perform well at work and are excellent at doing household chores, nurturing their children and managing finances. Some may decide to be full-time homemakers for a few years during the developmental years of their children. However, most Singaporean women possess either a degree or a diploma and they can easily return to the workforce when the need arises.

Positive Asian Values
Asian values such as respect for elders, compassion and filial piety are ingrained in many Singaporean women. Although, we have become more Westernised in our dressing and behaviour over the years, most Singaporean women remain very “Asian” in their thinking.

Strength of Character
Singaporean women are more resilient and tenacious than women in other parts of Asia. We are trained to be independent and resourceful. In times of crises, we are able to manage situations better. Thus, we are able to be a pillar of support for our partners.

Well-groomed
Many Singaporean women are well-groomed and take effort to maintain their image. I know of many who have a few kids and still look slim and attractive.

Overall, I feel that Singaporean women possess many desirable traits and make good marriage partners. Singaporean women are looking for men who are stable and responsible. Stability is a trait which every woman would look for in a partner and that should not be misconstrued as being materialistic. 

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