http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20081024/tap-201-mm-lee-says-world-economy-restor-231650b.html
"On a lighter note, the Minister Mentor touched on what he calls assortative mating, that is, finding a spouse at your level — something he strongly believes in.
He said: "I have explained this. I think I lost votes after I explained the awful truth. Nobody believed it, but slowly it dawned on them, especially the graduates, that yes, you marry a non—graduate, then you worry about whether or not your son or daughter is going to make it to the university."
This is serious stuff, baby-making. After all, everyone wish that their baby is brilliant. But is this too environmentally deterministic (environment determines behaviour and outcome) ? Genes determine your intelligence so that if your parents are smarties, you're highly likely to be one too. But if you examine it closer, you wonder.. that it may indeed make sense. It's more than genes, its the environment (nuture) you live in. If your parents are both graduates, they are more likely to speak better, demand more and make informed choices (not just old wives tale) in what type of toys and activities will help children grow better... and perhaps rub off a bit of their success on their child, and inspire them to think higher.. ??
But what about the child? Surely they have their own ideas on whether they like or want to study, high flying parents may get smart children but they may neglect their kids, and their very smart children may use their 'intelligence' the wrong way..rebelling, getting away with wrongs smartly etc. Or 'low-flyling' parents may devote all their attention and savings to support the kid, and as the kid sees how hard the parents work, will strive to work harder to give them a better life..
These so called lower IQ parents? Say secondary school dropouts or people who are just, better at other things, with lower IQ but skilled in their own way (say they can cook a mean dish and make lotsa bucks at hawking food)
If people with O levels only marry other O levels holder.. and Masters graduate marry another masters graduate.
If the saying holds true, then the O levels parents are likely to have children who are probably going to have O levels smartness (maybe diploma) while the masters grad parents are likely to have children of that level.. there won't be much mobility within the social ranks? (not that it exactly exist, how about IQ level rank..)
That sounds like the Caste system in India!
Or the 1984 book written by George Orwell.
To be fixed in a so called class position..by virtue of "environment determinism".
At the end, genes do make a difference, BUT so does nuture. Whatever level you are in, UPGRADE yourself and read up more, take up courses, train yourself to be a better parent! And give your kids the attention they need and lots of love. Then, they're more likely to be better versions of yourself. :)
I always believe in speaking well to children and not assuming they are dumbos who cannot understand adult speak, raising children is tough especially in this already tough world.
LASTLY, there is some kind of fundamental ambiguity in defining your 'level'. It is not just academic or intelligence right? How about EQ? Undefinable, untangible skills like creativity (who can define creativity!!)... etc etc.
Erm, does family class matter? Say both are graduates but one if from a lower income class while the other is from a high income class?
It's all too fuzzy woozy.
But yes, MM Lee's words does make some sense. But take it with a pinch of salt. Marry and make babies with someone you love, and raise them up in the best kind of conditions that you can provide them with. :)
xoxo, so nutty with school work i'm even blogging like i'm in school. :S
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