“grow up”? That’s the best you can do?

So a “grown-up” person should simply accept that a politician has the right to chide a woman on her reproductive and/or life choices and priorities, in a public forum?

“oversensitive”? That’s your conclusion?

So a person of acceptable sensitivity should not feel any discomfort or irritation when it is publicly suggested that her choice of whether or not to be in a relationship, get married, have children — that these decisions must take into acount the fertility rates in her country?

And the last time I checked, men do play a very significant part in deciding whether or not to do any of the above. It should be, and often is, a joint decision between the man and woman.

But maybe not for you, John, given how “grown up” you are.

And don’t be offended, as that would only make you “oversensitive”.

How about looking at the issue from a more holistic perspective and see how social expectations and gender roles can be reshaped to become more pro-family? Stop calling out women to ‘grow up’ or ‘stop being oversensitive’. It is exactly this type of misogyny perpetuating as a ‘reality’ that puts women off.

The issue was having more foreign immigrants accepted due to the ageing population and low birth rate. So of course if by showing that a lady such as her isn’t doing what only women can do, then why is it an issue in the first place. I wouldn’t make sense asking a man to raise the birth rate would it? It’ll just spark a whole new sexist debate about how man treat women like objects, etc.

The crux of the issue is ignored in favor of finding fault where there is none. Stop being oversensitive; grow up.

I have a daughter with DS and I find this kind of outdated language (mongoloid) and devaluation (‘dull person”) both hurtful and dangerous. The crime rate against people with DS is astronomical! 2 times to 3 times likely to be victims of violent crime or sexual assault. This kind of language tells people that treating humans with Down syndrome as something less than human is okay. That is both dangerous and shameful!

I also think that the laughter from the audience during ms sim’s exchange was partly triggered by the similarity of Mr Lee’s response to the phd guy before her, and not exactly to humiliate her. If you realise, in your transcript of the exchange, the first wave of laughter came straight after Mr Lee posed the question, and not when she answered no. This is partly from the unexpectedness of Mr Lee’s completely unrelated response to her question on immigration, and also partly due to the similarity of the precious exchange with the male phd student. my main point is that the audience was first amused by elements of the exchange that are not sexist-related. I can argue for the rest of the instances of laughter but that would go into subjectivity of interpretation, which makes it rather debatable.

Im not saying that there are no sexist notions in the audience laughter. Some could be laughing for sexist reasons and others, just the pure absurdity of the exchange, how ‘unrelated’ and blatant Mr Lee’s agenda was. My main point is that there are many other elements in that context and that point in time that makes the exchange hilarious to the audience.

If you meant that the audience should be taking offence at the situation and not seeing the hilarity, I would propose that because the phd MALE student before her had the same treatment, ntu did not interpret mr lee’s exchange as sexist in that context and that point in time. This is restricted ONLY to the excerpt of conversation that you have transcribed above. I believe that most of us feel differently and MOSTLY shocked at the comment about marriage, kids vs phd advice.

In regards to your point on the laughter and your title- is ntu sexist? : I think you have misinterpreted the audience’s laughter. I believe the laughter was directed at Mr Lee’s unexpected question posed to Ms Sim. It was a surprisingly personal question, one that is not expected of the context of a ministerial forum. Studying your transcription of the exchange:

Mr Lee: Are you married? [audience laughs] You’re doing a PhD?

Ms Sim: Yes.

** Note that the first laughter came straight after Mr Lee posed the question and not after she said no. It shows us that this is the point where the audience was amused. Not at the fact that she Mr Lee: And when will you finish your PhD?

Ms Sim: In another two years. [laughter from audience]

Mr Lee: Are you married?

Ms Sim: [shakes head]

Mr Lee: have you got a boyfriend? [laughter and clapping from audience] Ms Sim: No. [laughter from audience]

a guy was asked the same question before ms sim

I solely believe woman can be much more intelligent than man and stuff. But at the end of your day what do you bring to your life? Man as well, we are all thriving for something that makes us comfortable. Thus i say both education and having a family is important. No one is stopping to continue pursuing your education even if you are married?

I totally think the govt should and all this nonsense and push for men to have ovaries implanted into them. You know, with those magical stem-cell thingys.

And honestly, while we’re at it, let’s make it really clear that we should restrict this freedom of speech thing to members of the public only. Politicians can only say what we approve, you know, ‘cos it’s upsetting to hear stuff and no one likes to be upset.

It’ll grind the whole nation to a halt and have a whole lot of outraged folks calling huge groups of other folks insensitive and sexist.

Who wants that?

So this is the best and brightest of Singapore, laughing with a sexist old curmudgeon at a woman for not being married. Staggering.