For years, young Singaporean women have followed a familiar life script: study hard, date sensibly, apply for public housing, marry and have children. But a growing number of women in the city state are choosing to rewrite this narrative.
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Take Candace*, a 30-year-old globetrotter whose work can take her anywhere from the quaint streets of Berlin to bustling Hong Kong. For her, dating has taken a back seat.
“I like the freedom to leave anytime I want and do anything I want,” said the vice-president of commercial operations at a start-up. “There are already so many people’s thoughts, feelings and emotions to take into account, like those of my boss, colleagues, family … so not having to manage another person’s emotions and expectations is a plus.”
Candace calls her life plan “unconventional” compared to her peers. “It’s like I blinked and most of my friends in Singapore were already married.”
Her friends, many of whom spent most of their lives in Singapore, typically began dating in university before applying for a home and starting families. But for Candace, adventure comes first. She is determined to check off destinations on her bucket list before considering marriage.
I care about my mental health. Why would I sacrifice it for any random guy?
For others, like Tessa*, 27, the decision to step away from dating stems from frustration. After enduring disappointing dates and the all-too-familiar experience of being ghosted, she began to rethink what happiness means – outside marriage.
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