Give women opportunities to contribute to Singapore

National Service (NS) unfairly penalizes men for two years of their lives and requires them to return for two to four weeks every year for ten years but with good reason: national security. Sadly, it robs men of economic and social security, opportunities and mindshare during their most productive and innovative years. Because of NS, the Singapore man is viewed as "uncompetitive" when compared to foreigners and local women. It is time we did something about the problem, without compromising national security, while creating greater value for all Singaporeans.

Firstly, I must applaud the women who suggest that childbearing is a national sacrifice and that men should not complain about NS. Mothers help us maintain a Singaporean Singapore and care for the young and no amount of writing can do justice to the wonderful job they do. I salute the mothers of Singapore: Thank you for keeping our country going, your sacrifice is clear for all to see.

However, as shown by Singapore's plummeting replacement rate, there are far too few Singaporean mothers. Instead, there is a growing number of free-loaders who do nothing for the country, while hiding behind the guise of potential motherhood. Their deceit forces Singapore to depend on so many foreigners for essential services . These free-loaders use their gender to take advantage of the opportunities denied to Singapore men by NS. I believe it is time to give everyone, regardless of race, religion or gender, the opportunity to earn their rights by delivering on their responsibilities as citizens.

I suggest that at age 18, every citizen, male or female should be invited to serve. For men service will be compulsory, but women would have a choice:

1. NS track
Two years of full-time service before the age of 21, but no need to perform reservist duty. The female NS trainee would be trained and deployed to care for the sick and aged, solving the labor supply problems we face in the aged and health care sectors. This kind of service will inculcate the values of empathy and build a more caring society.

2. Birth track
Assuming her reproductive system is healthy, the woman pledges to bear a child by age 30.

However, should the woman on the Birth track fail to bear a child by age 30 for any reason, she will be put on the NS track immediately to help care for the sick and aged. Two years of full-time service, followed by ten years of reservist duty.

This should solve some of our problems with NS inequality, aged and health care. As the old Total Defense chestnut goes: There's a part for everyone.