ALTHOUGH I agree that there should be an open discussion on the nature of a family, I do not agree that the National University of Singapore Students' Political Association's Our Families forum is a "safe environment" to do so ("Time for open discussion on nature of families" by Mr Han Ming Guang; March 20).
The organisers failed to balance the representation of proposition and opposition voices on the panel, which will lead to the propagation of a biased view. This robs the audience of the chance to make an informed choice on the nature of families.
I am a 24-year-old and beg to differ on Mr Han's claim that "for our younger generation, what constitutes a family is no longer constrained by the norms of a traditional family unit".
His claim suggests that the definition of family has evolved, and should evolve, over time, to fit the subjectivity of different communities.
I stand resolute that the family constitutes a father and a mother bringing up their children within that framework of a stable family unit.
A couple adopting a child would also be an optimal family unit as long as the parents are of different genders, playing the specific role of father and mother.
I agree that family units should also include single-parent families or families where parents no longer play a role, although these families are not optimal.
There is a need for the community to look out for such families, and love them as our own family members.
It is not sustainable for our conservative society to use the standards of subjective morality, as it creates an environment for inconsistent laws that change with time.
Hiew Por Ian
The organisers failed to balance the representation of proposition and opposition voices on the panel, which will lead to the propagation of a biased view. This robs the audience of the chance to make an informed choice on the nature of families.
I am a 24-year-old and beg to differ on Mr Han's claim that "for our younger generation, what constitutes a family is no longer constrained by the norms of a traditional family unit".
His claim suggests that the definition of family has evolved, and should evolve, over time, to fit the subjectivity of different communities.
I stand resolute that the family constitutes a father and a mother bringing up their children within that framework of a stable family unit.
A couple adopting a child would also be an optimal family unit as long as the parents are of different genders, playing the specific role of father and mother.
I agree that family units should also include single-parent families or families where parents no longer play a role, although these families are not optimal.
There is a need for the community to look out for such families, and love them as our own family members.
It is not sustainable for our conservative society to use the standards of subjective morality, as it creates an environment for inconsistent laws that change with time.
Hiew Por Ian
