Speaking at a conference marking the Institute of Policy Studies’ 30th anniversary, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan asked if the “Chinese, Malay, Indian and Others” model will soon be irrelevant. She noted that more than half of the marriages last year involved transnational and inter-ethnic couples, and the children of these bicultural households may eventually form the majority in Singapore. She suggested that concrete plans be made in the curation of a Singapore identity. Prof Straughan also touched on the issue of Section 377A and social equality. She opined that no one should have to live with less just because they were born different. The question, she said, is what the best way forward is, "Is it charging head-on and disrupting everyday life, or is it through persuasive engagement? I don't have the answer, but I do think... we should leverage the gains we have made so we can climb higher together."