Also Consider This is a Singapore podcast for analytical, clearer thinking about life in Singapore.
Each episode starts from a real conversation — in the news, online, or everyday life — and slows it down. We unpack why people react the way they do, what assumptions are being made, and what trade-offs are being missed.
From public issues to culture, food, sport, and social behaviour, the goal is not hot takes, but clearer thinking about how life here works, and how it could work better.
Low TFR? Why these Singaporean millennial dads still have kids when not feeling 100% ready — #ACT22
Singapore’s birth rate has been falling for years. Policies have been introduced, incentives have been increased, and yet the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) continues to decline to worryingly low levels.But behind the numbers, there are still individuals and couples who choose to have children.In this episode, we speak with millennial dads at different stages of fatherhood. From those preparing for it to those already raising one or more children. Through their experiences, we explore a more human side of the issue: how people think about having kids, what readiness really means, and why some still decide to move forward even when they do not feel 100% ready.This is an attempt to explore and understand the challenges behind one of the most important life decisions, and what that might reveal about Singapore’s broader fertility challenge.Whether you are considering having children, already a parent, or simply trying to make sense of Singapore’s low TFR, this conversation offers a grounded perspective from those living through it.Topics covered:- Feeling “ready” to have kids, or deciding to go for it anyway - How fatherhood changes priorities and identity - Why some stop at one or two children - The gap between ideal family size and reality - Personal decisions within a low TFR environmentFeaturing Guests:Mark — father of one Ronald — father of two 🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking about life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcast
30 Mar 2026
Low TFR? Singapore Lacks a Pro-Family Culture - #ACT21
Singapore’s total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen to historic lows, raising urgent questions about the country’s future. Despite decades of policies, incentives, and support schemes, birth rates remain stubbornly low — so what’s really going on?
In this episode of Also Consider This, we break down the deeper drivers behind Singapore’s declining birth rate. Is it the cost of raising children, workplace pressures, and childcare constraints — or is there a larger cultural shift where marriage and parenthood are no longer seen as essential?
We examine whether government incentives like baby bonuses and parental support are enough, or if the real issue lies in changing mindsets, priorities, and social norms. Drawing from historical policy signals, recent data, and international comparisons, this episode explores why TFR isn’t recovering — and what it might take to change that.
Topics covered:
Why Singapore’s TFR remains below replacement levels
Policy vs culture: what’s actually driving low birth rates
Workplace pressures, childcare gaps, and cost concerns
The shift from “starting a family” to delaying parenthood
Why incentives alone may not be enough
What other countries have done differently
🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking bout life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.
23 Feb 2026
We-First in a Sinkie-Pwn-Sinkie Society? — #ACT20
“What does ‘we-first’ actually mean in Singapore?”
The phrase sounds right, but people hear very different things. Some think it’s civic responsibility. Others think it’s exclusionary. And in the absence of a shared definition, competitive instincts fill the gap.
In this episode, we unpack the confusion around “we-first”, why debates about inclusion may be premature, and how sinkie-pwn-sinkie behaviour persists when norms are unclear.
🎙️ Hosted by Alastair & Guo Feng🎧 Also Consider This, a podcast for analytical, clearer thinking about life in Singapore, and how we can improve it.
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsoconsiderthis.podcastChapters00:00 – Introduction: What is a "We-First" Society?15:39 – How far are we from a we-first society? Are we really a sinkie-pwn-sinkie society?28:44 – How can we build a society we want, we-first or otherwise?42:36 – TIL: Why do your new shoes bite your heels?46:57 – TIL: Sony has stopped making blank blu-ray discs
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