SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan said that the trend of delayed marriages and parenthood has been a longstanding one. Young Singaporeans have set high standards for marriage, and marriage is now seen as a commitment and “not just a rite of passage”. The “pressure” to excel in school and the workplace also reduces time to meet potential life partners. Prof Straughan added that in Singapore, singlehood is a norm for those under 30. On divorces, she believes that the higher incidence of women initiating divorces could be due to infidelity.