Commenting on young women choosing to forgo their careers to raise children before they hit the age of 30, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan said, “We keep saying it (juggling a career and motherhood) can be done. But I think, realistically, it’s very difficult because when an employee is young, they have to battle with a larger contingent of contenders.” She explained that someone in his or her 30s, in contrast, would have had some time to garner the respect of colleagues and establish a foothold in the company. She also commented on the extra 10 weeks of shared parental leave that will be rolled out after Apr 2026, and said, “Every additional tweak to the pro-family basket will be welcomed by those who have decided to have children and perhaps bring their timeline forward, but won’t move the national needle.” She said that the key lies in persuading Singaporeans, especially those with access to more opportunities, that children are a worthwhile investment. Prof Straughan added that community will play a big role too.