Mr Tan Yong Bin (above), 27 , a management consultant who is married to civil servant Yang Wen with a two-month-old baby, on paternity leave:
"I am pleased with these new measures but feel they can be improved further. From personal experience, 10 to 14 days of paid paternity leave will be ideal.
p>I also feel more flexibility can be introduced, like letting fathers cash out portions of paternity leave or take further unpaid (leave). We intend to have more children. Yes, these measures will not be the main reason but they are a boon."
Ms Jolene Phua, 28, who is planning to marry a fellow sales executive next year, on the enhanced pro-parenthood measures:
"It looks like the Government is trying to address a broad range of issues, going so far as providing more leave, and being prepared to pay for it. But ultimately, the decision to start a family rests with the couples themselves, who should be aware that sacrifices need to be made. Raising a child in Singapore is not cheap, but we should be thankful that at least there's more help along the way."
Tutor Dion Ho, 42, who is married to fellow tutor Kelly, 41, and living with his parents with six-year-old son Danon:
"I'm glad the Government is looking into giving couples with children priority in public housing. This means I'll not only have a higher chance of getting a place near my parents, but also a home for my own family to expand."
Ms Vanessa Ng, 32, a compliance officer at a bank who has one child and twins on the way, on government-paid paternity leave:
"The paternity leave and extra one week of leave for fathers is what I'm very happy about. I'd gladly give up one week of my maternity leave to my husband. When I had my first child, he was more comfortable taking care of the baby than I was - the support from him was very important."
Mr Kenny Sim, 31, a financial analyst who is married with two daughters aged six and four, and hoping to have four children with his bank officer wife, on the baby bonus and other benefits:
"That the Government is giving more grants is a sign of good things to come. The sum may not be much, but every little bit counts, and a child should be a joy in itself."
» More marriage & parenthood package stories
