Rap video urges Singaporeans to get busy making babies
In the May/June issue of FP, I did a short round-up sexual politics around the world, including Singapore’s years-long efforts to make its people make babies: Under the watchful eye of leader Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s authoritarian capitalist government over the last several decades managed to turn social engineering into a science — highly regulating ...
In the May/June issue of FP, I did a short round-up sexual politics around the world, including Singapore's years-long efforts to make its people make babies:
In the May/June issue of FP, I did a short round-up sexual politics around the world, including Singapore’s years-long efforts to make its people make babies:
Under the watchful eye of leader Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s authoritarian capitalist government over the last several decades managed to turn social engineering into a science — highly regulating everything from housing to littering. Despite their best efforts, though, the city-state’s technocrats haven’t had as much success in cracking the code of love.
In 1983, Lee declared that too few of his country’s eligible women — those with careers and university degrees — were marrying and having children. This led to the creation the following year of the government’s Social Development Network, an agency devoted to helping Singaporeans find Mr. or Mrs. Right.
The agency’s website offers young singles advice on everything from hygiene to dating etiquette. ("Guys, girls notice everything!" it advises.) Through its Marriage Central Advisory Board, the agency holds events to train young adults in the art of romance, including a yearly series of "Real Love Works" workshops promoting marriage. Other state-sponsored events include dances, wine tastings, cooking courses, cruises, and romantic movie screenings.
Unfortunately, the efforts haven’t been that effective. Singapore still has one of the world’s lowest birthrates. So in the lead-up to Singapore’s national day on August 9, candymaker Mentos is helping the Social Development Network (SDU) out with the music video above, complete with rapping and a Rihannaesque hook. Sample lyrics:
It’s national night and I want a baby, boo
I know you want it, so does the SDU
I ain’t merlion baby, this is national duty
Let me SMS the details of our late night dooty… call […]
Singapore’s population, it needs some increasing
So forget waving flags, August 9th we be freaking
Believe it or not, it gets more awkward than that.
Hat tip: Daily Dish
Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating
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