Singapore: The city where dating rules abound

Besides the economy and a bundle of many more issues, the men behind the isle-city of Singapore are sure a busy group. Dating, marriage and procreation, are also issues important enough to warrant constant scrutiny, repeated reminders, large-scale national campaigns, dedicated dating agencies (re: the infamous SDU) and attention from the whole nation.

Singapore woos singles in yet another dating campaign:
http://www.divaasia.com/article/10282

The latest approach is to promote interaction among singles, and hopefully more dating ensures thereafter, in the form of a television commercial. Government-led, a la Singapore-style.

Firstly, I wonder if the humble television set is still the preferred means of entertainment and information in the highly wired city these days. For the target group between 20 to 35 years of age, these are the busy multi-taskers, juggling studies/work and packed social lives, spending long hours away from home. With the multitude of activities calling for their attention, is the television still an effective tool of campaign communication for this group of busy people?

Secondly, promoting love via public campaigns, while a well-meaning effort to push up marriage and birth rates, can be a huge turn-off, especially for this group of young and individualistic people. Admitting to a lack of dates is one issue, receiving assistance via the authorities (nagging parents may rank top on the list, but having the government hovering over you is not any different either) is yet another poke in the face.

With all the effort and resources towards promoting dating all these years and its unsatisfactory results thus far, it is perhaps time to rethink the approach towards promoting love in the city. Life attitudes affect choices, and these attitudes are formed from an early stage in life. If a meritocratic society places great emphasis on tangible achievements from a young age, then societal influence and pressure will mould the young's values and attitudes later in life. Similarly, a slower-paced and free-wheeling city will encourage its residents to slowly soak in their surroundings and explore the different facets of themselves and social circles.

You can shape an environment, but the environment is also what shapes a person.