I always enjoy reading about the relative “lack of freedom” that Singapore provides in comparison to say, the U.S. As an American woman who has lived in Singapore for over a decade, I can do all sorts of things here that I could never do in the U.S. For instance, I can run alone at night without fear of being raped or mugged. I can send my children to school without worrying about them being shot. I can pursue higher education without drowning in debt, and I can be assured that hard work will likely be rewarded in meritocratic Singapore. I can walk down the street without being catcalled, and I can pursue a professional career without battling stifling sexism (yes, this also exists in Singapore, but to a noticeably lesser degree). My multicultural family can enjoy regular outings without being subject to racist remarks or worse. I can open a small business without drowning in taxes. Intellect, rather than celebrity, is appreciated. In pro-social Singapore, most people are considerate enough to wear masks and use hand sanitizer without much fuss. I can go about my day without a non-stop political circus humming in the background. The list goes on.Singapore, like all countries, has its drawbacks. Sometimes it feels creatively stifling. It’s highly materialistic. I miss chewing gum. But, it’s pretty freeing for this American woman, and I’m proud to call it home. It is no wonder that entrepreneurs from China are flocking here- I just hope the influx doesn’t price my family out.

I always enjoy reading about the relative “lack of freedom” that Singapore provides in comparison to say, the U.S. As an American woman who has lived in Singapore for over a decade, I can do all sorts of things here that I could never do in the U.S. For instance, I can run alone at night without fear of being raped or mugged. I can send my children to school without worrying about them being shot. I can pursue higher education without drowning in debt, and I can be assured that hard work will likely be rewarded in meritocratic Singapore. I can walk down the street without being catcalled, and I can pursue a professional career without battling stifling sexism (yes, this also exists in Singapore, but to a noticeably lesser degree). My multicultural family can enjoy regular outings without being subject to racist remarks or worse. I can open a small business without drowning in taxes. Intellect, rather than celebrity, is appreciated. In pro-social Singapore, most people are considerate enough to wear masks and use hand sanitizer without much fuss. I can go about my day without a non-stop political circus humming in the background. The list goes on.Singapore, like all countries, has its drawbacks. Sometimes it feels creatively stifling. It’s highly materialistic. I miss chewing gum. But, it’s pretty freeing for this American woman, and I’m proud to call it home. It is no wonder that entrepreneurs from China are flocking here- I just hope the influx doesn’t price my family out.

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