Showing posts with label fertility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fertility. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2014
Jimmy Soul - If you wanna be happy
If you wanna be happy
For the rest of your life,
Never make a pretty woman your wife,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly girl to marry you.
A pretty woman makes her husband look small
And very often causes his downfall.
As soon as he marries her
Then she starts to do
The things that will break his heart.
But if you make an ugly woman your wife,
You'll be happy for the rest of your life,
An ugly woman cooks her meals on time,
She'll always give you peace of mind.
Don't let your friends say
You have no taste,
Go ahead and marry anyway,
Though her face is ugly,
Her eyes don't match,
Take it from me she's a better catch.
Say man.
Hey baby.
Saw your wife the other day.
Yeah?
Yeah, she's ugly.
Yeah, she's ugly but she sure can cook.
Yeah?. Okay.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Singapore fertility rate falls to record low
Singapore fertility rate falls to record low
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 17 January 2011 1037 hrs
SINGAPORE: Preliminary estimates show that Singapore's total fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 1.16 last year. This is even lower than the 1.22 in 2009, and well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the number of new Permanent Residents in 2010, was halved from a year ago.
Mr Wong, who heads the newly formed National Population and Talent Division, revealed the numbers as he laid out the country's long-term strategy for managing population growth.
After an influx of foreigners during the boom years, the government took steps to mitigate their inflow in 2010. Criteria for PR status were tightened, while more was done to integrate new citizens.
The move comes amid growing discomfort among Singaporeans over the increased presence of foreigners in the country.
29,265 foreigners became permanent residents last year, a sharp drop from the 59,460 in 2009, and 79,200 in 2008.
The country's aging population and low fertility rate means that the government will need to tap on immigration to augment the population.
Singapore is still facing the problem of having not enough babies. Mr Wong said the government will continue to support couples' decision to get married and have children. He added authorities will aim for a pro-family environment but he also acknowledged that boosting fertility will take time.
In a speech on "Inclusive Growth" delivered at the Singapore Perspectives Conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng reiterated that citizens' interests will always come first.
Growing the population, Mr Wong explained, provides the critical mass to attract investors and grow domestic markets.
The key is in attracting the right kind of people.
"Singapore's population story is still evolving. Looking ahead, continual refinements will need to be made at appropriate junctures to ensure that Singapore will remain our best home. Like other countries around the world, we must continue to welcome suitably qualified people to work and live in Singapore and contribute to our society," said Mr Wong.
Mr Wong described these "suitably qualified people" as an "improvement in the quality of new PRs".
According to the latest population census, PRs in Singapore tend to be better educated. Almost half of the PR population last year were degree holders, compared with 18 per cent of citizens.
The number of new citizens remained relatively steady at 18, 758 in 2010, compared to 19,928 for 2009.
According to Mr Wong, the new Population and Talent Division will formulate, coordinate and review whole of Government policies. In doing so, Mr Wong said the focus is on achieving a "sustainable population profile".
Three principles will guide this effort - to preserve and uphold what is distinctive and unique about Singapore, to ensure growth and change benefit Singaporeans, and to remain nimble and prepared as well as make adjustments along the way.
Mr Wong said what is unique about Singapore is that its people "value hard work, thrift and honesty".
Singapore has also made multi-ethnic diversity work for it.
So in managing the population, Mr Wong said the government will "always be guided by the need to preserve a strong citizen core" and to "maintain stability" in the ethnic mix.
Observers say the latest figures on new immigrants will go some way in addressing Singaporeans' concerns.
Dr Leong Chan Hoong, a Research Fellow with the Institute of Policy Studies, said: "There is a very reassuring effect for Singaporeans and certainly I think this will help assure Singaporeans that the policy makers have their interests as a priority."
Inclusive growth has been a buzzword of late, and more recently, it was debated in Parliament. The idea is that no Singaporean is left out even as the country progresses. Observers said this is likely to be a hot button issue at the next general elections due by February 2012.
-CNA/ac/wk
- wong chee tat :)
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 17 January 2011 1037 hrs
SINGAPORE: Preliminary estimates show that Singapore's total fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 1.16 last year. This is even lower than the 1.22 in 2009, and well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the number of new Permanent Residents in 2010, was halved from a year ago.
Mr Wong, who heads the newly formed National Population and Talent Division, revealed the numbers as he laid out the country's long-term strategy for managing population growth.
After an influx of foreigners during the boom years, the government took steps to mitigate their inflow in 2010. Criteria for PR status were tightened, while more was done to integrate new citizens.
The move comes amid growing discomfort among Singaporeans over the increased presence of foreigners in the country.
29,265 foreigners became permanent residents last year, a sharp drop from the 59,460 in 2009, and 79,200 in 2008.
The country's aging population and low fertility rate means that the government will need to tap on immigration to augment the population.
Singapore is still facing the problem of having not enough babies. Mr Wong said the government will continue to support couples' decision to get married and have children. He added authorities will aim for a pro-family environment but he also acknowledged that boosting fertility will take time.
In a speech on "Inclusive Growth" delivered at the Singapore Perspectives Conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng reiterated that citizens' interests will always come first.
Growing the population, Mr Wong explained, provides the critical mass to attract investors and grow domestic markets.
The key is in attracting the right kind of people.
"Singapore's population story is still evolving. Looking ahead, continual refinements will need to be made at appropriate junctures to ensure that Singapore will remain our best home. Like other countries around the world, we must continue to welcome suitably qualified people to work and live in Singapore and contribute to our society," said Mr Wong.
Mr Wong described these "suitably qualified people" as an "improvement in the quality of new PRs".
According to the latest population census, PRs in Singapore tend to be better educated. Almost half of the PR population last year were degree holders, compared with 18 per cent of citizens.
The number of new citizens remained relatively steady at 18, 758 in 2010, compared to 19,928 for 2009.
According to Mr Wong, the new Population and Talent Division will formulate, coordinate and review whole of Government policies. In doing so, Mr Wong said the focus is on achieving a "sustainable population profile".
Three principles will guide this effort - to preserve and uphold what is distinctive and unique about Singapore, to ensure growth and change benefit Singaporeans, and to remain nimble and prepared as well as make adjustments along the way.
Mr Wong said what is unique about Singapore is that its people "value hard work, thrift and honesty".
Singapore has also made multi-ethnic diversity work for it.
So in managing the population, Mr Wong said the government will "always be guided by the need to preserve a strong citizen core" and to "maintain stability" in the ethnic mix.
Observers say the latest figures on new immigrants will go some way in addressing Singaporeans' concerns.
Dr Leong Chan Hoong, a Research Fellow with the Institute of Policy Studies, said: "There is a very reassuring effect for Singaporeans and certainly I think this will help assure Singaporeans that the policy makers have their interests as a priority."
Inclusive growth has been a buzzword of late, and more recently, it was debated in Parliament. The idea is that no Singaporean is left out even as the country progresses. Observers said this is likely to be a hot button issue at the next general elections due by February 2012.
-CNA/ac/wk
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, November 29, 2010
373 S'poreans infected with HIV in first 10 months of 2010
373 S'poreans infected with HIV in first 10 months of 2010
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 28 November 2010 1848 hrs
SINGAPORE : About 373 Singaporeans were infected with HIV from January to October this year, bringing the total number of HIV cases in Singapore to 4,777.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it expects the total number of new HIV cases for this year to come close to that of last year's figure of 463.
Of the 169 cases reported between January and June this year, about 60 per cent of the cases had late-stage HIV infection.
And of these, about 90 per cent were men and the rest, women.
Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission.
Of the 169 cases reported in the first six months of this year, 166 acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 56 per cent of infections, homosexual transmission acounting for 33 per cent of infections, and bisexual transmission 9 per cent. One was infected through intravenous drug use.
The MOH has urged those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky sexual behaviour to go for regular HIV testing.
- CNA /ls
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 28 November 2010 1848 hrs
SINGAPORE : About 373 Singaporeans were infected with HIV from January to October this year, bringing the total number of HIV cases in Singapore to 4,777.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it expects the total number of new HIV cases for this year to come close to that of last year's figure of 463.
Of the 169 cases reported between January and June this year, about 60 per cent of the cases had late-stage HIV infection.
And of these, about 90 per cent were men and the rest, women.
Sexual transmission remains the main mode of HIV transmission.
Of the 169 cases reported in the first six months of this year, 166 acquired the infection through the sexual route, with heterosexual transmission accounting for 56 per cent of infections, homosexual transmission acounting for 33 per cent of infections, and bisexual transmission 9 per cent. One was infected through intravenous drug use.
The MOH has urged those at risk of HIV infection and those who engage in risky sexual behaviour to go for regular HIV testing.
- CNA /ls
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
November 9th, 2010 
Ritu Dey
Sunday, November 1, 2009
More underage teens in S'pore see casual sex as acceptable
More underage teens in S'pore see casual sex as acceptable
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 31 October 2009 1945 hrs
SINGAPORE: More underage teenagers in Singapore view casual sex as being normal and acceptable.
The Attorney General, Professor Walter Woon, addressed this issue at the third Children's Society Lecture on Saturday.
He said the job for the prosecution becomes even tougher when two minors engage in casual sex.
Modern technology and the Internet have played a part in the changing mindsets of young people in Singapore.
Carol Balhetchet, director of youth services, Singapore Children's Society, said: "The media in various forms is giving that message that it's cool to be quite open about your sexuality. They tend to experiment and try out, literally try it out, and if you are not in the group that has tried it out, then you are not cool."
Prof Woon said young people are becoming more open with their sexuality, with some even thinking that casual sex is inevitable. As such, legal cases that are emerging have become complex, with some minors even going to the extent of soliciting sexual services.
Prof Woon said: "As what I see from some of the cases that come across my desk, they go out and solicit these contacts. In one case, she solicited it in her own home, not far from where I live.....It is not just the girls, but the boys (too)... male prostitute who went on the Internet, gay chatroom to earn money...."
When it comes to cases involving two minors engaging in casual sex, Prof Woon said the law may not be enough to deal with the issue. "It is not easy and this is where the NGOs, the community services play a part. Obviously, it is not just for the judges. The judges cannot do very much by themselves.
"There has to be some follow-up. Even if you send the boy to jail, or the girl to jail, or both of them to jail, there has got to be something done.
"Sending them to jail per se would not make them reflect on their lives. That is the last thing that is going to happen. But good or ill, this is the framework that we have."
The problem of underage teenagers engaging in sexual activities have seen an upward trend in recent years.
Cases involving consensual sex with a girl under 14, which amounts to statutory rape, have nearly doubled over the last five years - from over 160 cases five years ago to 300 cases this year.
Prof Woon said there could be more, as these were just cases that were reported.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 31 October 2009 1945 hrs
SINGAPORE: More underage teenagers in Singapore view casual sex as being normal and acceptable.
The Attorney General, Professor Walter Woon, addressed this issue at the third Children's Society Lecture on Saturday.
He said the job for the prosecution becomes even tougher when two minors engage in casual sex.
Modern technology and the Internet have played a part in the changing mindsets of young people in Singapore.
Carol Balhetchet, director of youth services, Singapore Children's Society, said: "The media in various forms is giving that message that it's cool to be quite open about your sexuality. They tend to experiment and try out, literally try it out, and if you are not in the group that has tried it out, then you are not cool."
Prof Woon said young people are becoming more open with their sexuality, with some even thinking that casual sex is inevitable. As such, legal cases that are emerging have become complex, with some minors even going to the extent of soliciting sexual services.
Prof Woon said: "As what I see from some of the cases that come across my desk, they go out and solicit these contacts. In one case, she solicited it in her own home, not far from where I live.....It is not just the girls, but the boys (too)... male prostitute who went on the Internet, gay chatroom to earn money...."
When it comes to cases involving two minors engaging in casual sex, Prof Woon said the law may not be enough to deal with the issue. "It is not easy and this is where the NGOs, the community services play a part. Obviously, it is not just for the judges. The judges cannot do very much by themselves.
"There has to be some follow-up. Even if you send the boy to jail, or the girl to jail, or both of them to jail, there has got to be something done.
"Sending them to jail per se would not make them reflect on their lives. That is the last thing that is going to happen. But good or ill, this is the framework that we have."
The problem of underage teenagers engaging in sexual activities have seen an upward trend in recent years.
Cases involving consensual sex with a girl under 14, which amounts to statutory rape, have nearly doubled over the last five years - from over 160 cases five years ago to 300 cases this year.
Prof Woon said there could be more, as these were just cases that were reported.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
More teens hit by sexual infections
More teens hit by sexual infections
Sun, Oct 25, 2009
The Straits Times
By Shuli Sudderuddin
More than 500 teenagers so far this year have been diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections at the DSC Clinic in Kelantan Lane.
Most of the girls were found to have chlamydia while the boys had gonorrhoea. Both sexes also had genital herpes and genital warts.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been on the rise among teenagers. Last year, 791 teens were diagnosed with STIs at the DSC, more than three times the 238 cases in 2002. As of August this year, the number was 526.
- wong chee tat :)
Sun, Oct 25, 2009
The Straits Times
By Shuli Sudderuddin
More than 500 teenagers so far this year have been diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections at the DSC Clinic in Kelantan Lane.
Most of the girls were found to have chlamydia while the boys had gonorrhoea. Both sexes also had genital herpes and genital warts.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been on the rise among teenagers. Last year, 791 teens were diagnosed with STIs at the DSC, more than three times the 238 cases in 2002. As of August this year, the number was 526.
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
New network for singles to meet
New network for singles to meet
Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17
SINGAPORE: The Social Development Unit—Social Development Service (SDU—SDS), the government matchmaker, has a new name. It is now called the "Social Development Network" or "SDN" in short.
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mrs Yu—Foo Yee Shoon, unveiled the new name at the opening of the annual Partner Connection Trade Seminar on Friday.
She also announced plans to extend SDN’s reach to all singles, linking them to a wider network of partners for dating services, events and information.
In collaboration with private dating agencies, SDN will also be providing a sampler dating package for singles.
SDU—SDS is the interim name for the merged Social Development Unit and Social Development Services. The SDU was formed in 1984 to promote marriages among graduate singles, while the SDS was set up a year later to promote marriages among non—graduates.
The two organisations merged in January this year to reap economies of scale, enlarge their database for singles and provide more opportunities for singles to meet.
Over the last 25 years, 186,000 members of both organisations have tied the knot.
— CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, October 17
SINGAPORE: The Social Development Unit—Social Development Service (SDU—SDS), the government matchmaker, has a new name. It is now called the "Social Development Network" or "SDN" in short.
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Mrs Yu—Foo Yee Shoon, unveiled the new name at the opening of the annual Partner Connection Trade Seminar on Friday.
She also announced plans to extend SDN’s reach to all singles, linking them to a wider network of partners for dating services, events and information.
In collaboration with private dating agencies, SDN will also be providing a sampler dating package for singles.
SDU—SDS is the interim name for the merged Social Development Unit and Social Development Services. The SDU was formed in 1984 to promote marriages among graduate singles, while the SDS was set up a year later to promote marriages among non—graduates.
The two organisations merged in January this year to reap economies of scale, enlarge their database for singles and provide more opportunities for singles to meet.
Over the last 25 years, 186,000 members of both organisations have tied the knot.
— CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
2008 saw largest number of marriages since 2000
2008 saw largest number of marriages since 2000
By 938LIVE
Posted: 28 September 2009 1839 hrs
SINGAPORE: Last year saw the largest number of marriages since 2000. The Department of Statistics (DOS') latest population trend report said nearly 24,600 marriages were registered last year.
About 75 per cent of these marriages were first marriages compared to 81.5 per cent in 1998.
DOS said this indicated that remarriages were becoming more common, especially among men here.
However, marriage rates fell for both men and women below the age of 30, marking the largest fall since 2000 for men aged 25 to 29 and women aged 20 to 24.
Mirroring the trend of marrying later, the peak age group for marriage among men moved from the 25 to 29 age bracket in 2000 to 30 to 34 in 2008.
However, the peak age group for marriage among women remained the same for the 25 to 29 age group. There was a delay in first marriage across all age groups.
The report also showed that divorce rates were up across all age groups, with the most cases among younger couples in the 20 to 24 age bracket.
More than half of the divorces were of marriages which lasted less than 10 years. A third of divorces occurred within five to nine years of marriage.
- 938LIVE/vm
- wong chee tat :)
By 938LIVE
Posted: 28 September 2009 1839 hrs
SINGAPORE: Last year saw the largest number of marriages since 2000. The Department of Statistics (DOS') latest population trend report said nearly 24,600 marriages were registered last year.
About 75 per cent of these marriages were first marriages compared to 81.5 per cent in 1998.
DOS said this indicated that remarriages were becoming more common, especially among men here.
However, marriage rates fell for both men and women below the age of 30, marking the largest fall since 2000 for men aged 25 to 29 and women aged 20 to 24.
Mirroring the trend of marrying later, the peak age group for marriage among men moved from the 25 to 29 age bracket in 2000 to 30 to 34 in 2008.
However, the peak age group for marriage among women remained the same for the 25 to 29 age group. There was a delay in first marriage across all age groups.
The report also showed that divorce rates were up across all age groups, with the most cases among younger couples in the 20 to 24 age bracket.
More than half of the divorces were of marriages which lasted less than 10 years. A third of divorces occurred within five to nine years of marriage.
- 938LIVE/vm
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Men prefer pretty bimbos to ugly, clever girls
Men prefer pretty bimbos to ugly, clever girls
ANI23 March 2009, 08:00am IST
ANI23 March 2009, 08:00am IST
It seems that beauty is more important than brains, for a new survey has revealed that men would prefer dating beautiful bimbos than ugly, clever women.
The study carried out by www.OnePoll.com has shown that more than 50 pct men would rather go for good looking girls because it was important to impress their friends.
Nearly 80 pct of the respondents said that they would be intimidated by a clever girl.
However, the responses from girls were completely opposite.
Almost three quarters of women said that they would go for brains over good looks because handsome men are too vain, and those with brains would be able to provide for them.
Only one in ten said that she would go for a good-looking guy rather than a clever one because the "sex would be better".
"It seems beauty is more important the brains after all," the Telegraph quoted a spokesman.
"It's only natural people go on first impressions but going on a hot date with a supermodel can only get you so far.
"Although it's worrying that we don't seem to appreciate people's intelligence. If someone is exceptionally bright then it should be congratulated - we shouldn't criticise them for not being attractive," he added.
- wong chee tat :)
The study carried out by www.OnePoll.com has shown that more than 50 pct men would rather go for good looking girls because it was important to impress their friends.
Nearly 80 pct of the respondents said that they would be intimidated by a clever girl.
However, the responses from girls were completely opposite.
Almost three quarters of women said that they would go for brains over good looks because handsome men are too vain, and those with brains would be able to provide for them.
Only one in ten said that she would go for a good-looking guy rather than a clever one because the "sex would be better".
"It seems beauty is more important the brains after all," the Telegraph quoted a spokesman.
"It's only natural people go on first impressions but going on a hot date with a supermodel can only get you so far.
"Although it's worrying that we don't seem to appreciate people's intelligence. If someone is exceptionally bright then it should be congratulated - we shouldn't criticise them for not being attractive," he added.
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Jimmy Soul - If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
If you wanna be happy
For the rest of your life,
Never make a pretty woman your wife,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly girl to marry you.
A pretty woman makes her husband look small
And very often causes his downfall.
As soon as he marries her
Then she starts to do
The things that will break his heart.
But if you make an ugly woman your wife,
You'll be happy for the rest of your life,
An ugly woman cooks her meals on time,
She'll always give you peace of mind.
Don't let your friends say
You have no taste,
Go ahead and marry anyway,
Though her face is ugly,
Her eyes don't match,
Take it from me she's a better catch.
Say man.
Hey baby.
Saw your wife the other day.
Yeah?
Yeah, she's ugly.
Yeah, she's ugly but she sure can cook.
Yeah?. Okay.
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Why pretty women like ugly men...
My friend emailed this 2008 article to me a few days ago.
Why pretty women like ugly men...
Jhoomur Bose / ibnlive.com
TimePublished on Tue, Mar 04, 2008 at 08:46 in Lifestyle section
Has anyone noticed how weddings and common cold are similar? Both are contagious and seem to be affected by weather change. Nothing else explains how suddenly most people one knows are either sniffling or sending out wedding invites. It could also be the biological clock.
The first announcement was sitting in my inbox with the subject line jubilantly declaring, “I am getting married people!” A week back the same friend was single and mingling. Before one could react to that news, another friend called and declared she had a marriage proposal and was “seriously thinking” about it. Again, in a week from having no suitors she was suddenly thinking matrimony.
In the course of describing how their sudden decision to tie the knot had come about, both friends declared, “I am very happy. But the guy is not very good looking,” and then somewhat defensively, “but he’s a sweetheart.” Congratulations later and having seen their to-be spouse’s pictures, one realized that both girls – despite being downright stunning to look at – were marrying men who were rather plain. It reminded one of an old adage, “Langoor ke moonh mein angoor.”
Now a recent study by Columbia University suggested that good-looking people prefer to date equally good-looking people, at times even people who are better looking than themselves. Yet here were two of my very good-looking friends settling for rather plain men.
It’s not just my friends either. Many celeb couples too seem to follow the norm of pretty-woman-average-bloke: Ajay Devgan-Kajol, Azharuddin-Sangeeta Bijlani, Priyanka Gandhi-Robert Vadra, SRK-Gauri Khan (he wasn’t a superstar then!), Juhi Chawla-Jai Mehta… Since these were all love marriages one could perhaps say love perhaps is blind. Both my friends however are going in for arranged marriages and love is nowhere in the picture.
Jog your memories dear readers and tell me, how many times have you heard someone comment, “She is not pretty at all, how did she manage such a hot husband?” Or the other way round, “Look at him, he’s not good looking at all, how did he get himself such a beautiful wife?”
Several conversations and some research later one found that indeed the popularly held belief was: Ugly (or not-so-good-looking) men bag the prettiest girls. But is it really true?
Before you read further, tell us what you think:
1. How important are looks when it comes to finding a suitable partner?
2. Do good-looking people have better chances of finding love or a spouse?
3. ‘Plain’ people have good-looking partners: Myth or reality?
NEXT PAGE >>> What’s HE got that I ain’t got?
It’s no secret that most matrimonial ads, especially for girls, will read thus: ‘Good looking girl, well-educated, homely, working, etc.” Even ads for boys today – after mentioning ‘earns in six figures’ – will say how he is tall, good looking, etc. Given that pictures exchanged in the arranged marriage scenario are mostly professionally shot, it’s a case of showing your son/daughter/yourself in the best possible “light”. And then of course there is Photoshop.
How important are looks when it comes to falling in love or finding a life partner and how does one ensure not being left behind single? When it comes to responding to good looks, many a research has proven that other than some cultural differences, most people react to a similar set of signals or criterion.
From the symmetry of faces (which means symmetrical, cute babies), the size of the hips (a low waist-hip ratio means more fertile women), how another person smells and the facial features (‘feminine’ women and ‘masculine’ men have more chances of ‘mating’), there are some standard things that most people find attractive. And most of them have to do with eventual reproductive ability and how good a dad/mom you will make.
However, when you are looking at dating someone or catching an interesting prospect’s eye at the office party, you are hopefully not thinking babies instantly. If we keep marriage aside for the time being: What makes some ‘plain’ men and women more of a hit with the opposite sex?
In a quick survey amongst friends and colleagues, 57 per cent of those polled said that plain people score more with the opposite sex because they don’t rely only on their looks and usually have other qualities going for them. Like using their brains or their sense of humour.
“He makes me laugh” is something many women list as one of the most desirable traits in a man. “He likes me for who I am,” is another one, which basically means you don’t go comparing your woman to a swimsuit calendar model or some such thing. Some women said that a plain looking man treats women better than a good-looking one. Why? “Because a plain looker doesn’t think he is God’s gift to womankind,” replied one girl.
Then there could be other not-so-pleasant reasons too… No woman, pretty or otherwise wants to think that her man will stray. In such a scenario a man’s lack of looks can at times become insurance against his cheating on a woman. It is also thought that since good looking people will probably too full of themselves – both men and women – they will not have time for another person in their life.
Of course when it comes to marriage and making babies, we’re talking a different ball game.
NEXT PAGE >>> It’s neither love nor is it looks…
To start with, most researches and surveys say that men lay more importance on their partner’s looks even if the said man is not as good looking himself. Women on the other hand look for stability and the qualities in a man that can give her that stability.
A 2007 research by Thomas Pollet and Daniel Nettle of Newcastle University that was published in the journal Biology Letters says that in the marriage market it’s a man’s riches and not his looks that are the most important criterion. To put it simply: He who provides, gets the pretty bride. Does that mean that a really ugly but rich man can get a beautiful wife? Yes, if you look at cases like the VERY rich Donald Trump and Melania Knauss. But that doesn’t mean the plain guys have no chance…
“Have a big car, make her laugh, spend money on her and anyone can win over any woman,” jokes a hit-with-chicks male friend has to say who doesn’t even have a big car. “Look pretty all the time, talk smart only when he wants you to and laugh at all his jokes,” smirks a lady friend who makes men go weak in the knees has to say. Neither of them is good looking. Yet both of them seem to have some characteristics in common: Both can talk well, dress up smartly, have a sense of humour and are very confident.
It’s the same with marriage: It’s not about not about the looks as anyone with a little common sense will tell you looks don’t last, gravity always gets its way. Of course some will argue that in today’s age of medical and technological advancement, looks can be ‘upgraded’ or changed. However, not everyone can afford to do a Demi Moore at 43 years of age: She allegedly paid a whopping $ 420000 and even got her knees fixed.
To make a marriage last it takes more than looks: It takes patience, understanding, mutual respect for each other and a willingness to look past (some) faults and irritating habits. It also takes a fair bit of compromise and even a willingness to share your money. And these basics are the same whether you are good looking or not. Once the looks fade, you’ve got to make the other things work.
- wong chee tat :)
Why pretty women like ugly men...
Jhoomur Bose / ibnlive.com
TimePublished on Tue, Mar 04, 2008 at 08:46 in Lifestyle section
Has anyone noticed how weddings and common cold are similar? Both are contagious and seem to be affected by weather change. Nothing else explains how suddenly most people one knows are either sniffling or sending out wedding invites. It could also be the biological clock.
The first announcement was sitting in my inbox with the subject line jubilantly declaring, “I am getting married people!” A week back the same friend was single and mingling. Before one could react to that news, another friend called and declared she had a marriage proposal and was “seriously thinking” about it. Again, in a week from having no suitors she was suddenly thinking matrimony.
In the course of describing how their sudden decision to tie the knot had come about, both friends declared, “I am very happy. But the guy is not very good looking,” and then somewhat defensively, “but he’s a sweetheart.” Congratulations later and having seen their to-be spouse’s pictures, one realized that both girls – despite being downright stunning to look at – were marrying men who were rather plain. It reminded one of an old adage, “Langoor ke moonh mein angoor.”
Now a recent study by Columbia University suggested that good-looking people prefer to date equally good-looking people, at times even people who are better looking than themselves. Yet here were two of my very good-looking friends settling for rather plain men.
It’s not just my friends either. Many celeb couples too seem to follow the norm of pretty-woman-average-bloke: Ajay Devgan-Kajol, Azharuddin-Sangeeta Bijlani, Priyanka Gandhi-Robert Vadra, SRK-Gauri Khan (he wasn’t a superstar then!), Juhi Chawla-Jai Mehta… Since these were all love marriages one could perhaps say love perhaps is blind. Both my friends however are going in for arranged marriages and love is nowhere in the picture.
Jog your memories dear readers and tell me, how many times have you heard someone comment, “She is not pretty at all, how did she manage such a hot husband?” Or the other way round, “Look at him, he’s not good looking at all, how did he get himself such a beautiful wife?”
Several conversations and some research later one found that indeed the popularly held belief was: Ugly (or not-so-good-looking) men bag the prettiest girls. But is it really true?
Before you read further, tell us what you think:
1. How important are looks when it comes to finding a suitable partner?
2. Do good-looking people have better chances of finding love or a spouse?
3. ‘Plain’ people have good-looking partners: Myth or reality?
NEXT PAGE >>> What’s HE got that I ain’t got?
It’s no secret that most matrimonial ads, especially for girls, will read thus: ‘Good looking girl, well-educated, homely, working, etc.” Even ads for boys today – after mentioning ‘earns in six figures’ – will say how he is tall, good looking, etc. Given that pictures exchanged in the arranged marriage scenario are mostly professionally shot, it’s a case of showing your son/daughter/yourself in the best possible “light”. And then of course there is Photoshop.
How important are looks when it comes to falling in love or finding a life partner and how does one ensure not being left behind single? When it comes to responding to good looks, many a research has proven that other than some cultural differences, most people react to a similar set of signals or criterion.
From the symmetry of faces (which means symmetrical, cute babies), the size of the hips (a low waist-hip ratio means more fertile women), how another person smells and the facial features (‘feminine’ women and ‘masculine’ men have more chances of ‘mating’), there are some standard things that most people find attractive. And most of them have to do with eventual reproductive ability and how good a dad/mom you will make.
However, when you are looking at dating someone or catching an interesting prospect’s eye at the office party, you are hopefully not thinking babies instantly. If we keep marriage aside for the time being: What makes some ‘plain’ men and women more of a hit with the opposite sex?
In a quick survey amongst friends and colleagues, 57 per cent of those polled said that plain people score more with the opposite sex because they don’t rely only on their looks and usually have other qualities going for them. Like using their brains or their sense of humour.
“He makes me laugh” is something many women list as one of the most desirable traits in a man. “He likes me for who I am,” is another one, which basically means you don’t go comparing your woman to a swimsuit calendar model or some such thing. Some women said that a plain looking man treats women better than a good-looking one. Why? “Because a plain looker doesn’t think he is God’s gift to womankind,” replied one girl.
Then there could be other not-so-pleasant reasons too… No woman, pretty or otherwise wants to think that her man will stray. In such a scenario a man’s lack of looks can at times become insurance against his cheating on a woman. It is also thought that since good looking people will probably too full of themselves – both men and women – they will not have time for another person in their life.
Of course when it comes to marriage and making babies, we’re talking a different ball game.
NEXT PAGE >>> It’s neither love nor is it looks…
To start with, most researches and surveys say that men lay more importance on their partner’s looks even if the said man is not as good looking himself. Women on the other hand look for stability and the qualities in a man that can give her that stability.
A 2007 research by Thomas Pollet and Daniel Nettle of Newcastle University that was published in the journal Biology Letters says that in the marriage market it’s a man’s riches and not his looks that are the most important criterion. To put it simply: He who provides, gets the pretty bride. Does that mean that a really ugly but rich man can get a beautiful wife? Yes, if you look at cases like the VERY rich Donald Trump and Melania Knauss. But that doesn’t mean the plain guys have no chance…
“Have a big car, make her laugh, spend money on her and anyone can win over any woman,” jokes a hit-with-chicks male friend has to say who doesn’t even have a big car. “Look pretty all the time, talk smart only when he wants you to and laugh at all his jokes,” smirks a lady friend who makes men go weak in the knees has to say. Neither of them is good looking. Yet both of them seem to have some characteristics in common: Both can talk well, dress up smartly, have a sense of humour and are very confident.
It’s the same with marriage: It’s not about not about the looks as anyone with a little common sense will tell you looks don’t last, gravity always gets its way. Of course some will argue that in today’s age of medical and technological advancement, looks can be ‘upgraded’ or changed. However, not everyone can afford to do a Demi Moore at 43 years of age: She allegedly paid a whopping $ 420000 and even got her knees fixed.
To make a marriage last it takes more than looks: It takes patience, understanding, mutual respect for each other and a willingness to look past (some) faults and irritating habits. It also takes a fair bit of compromise and even a willingness to share your money. And these basics are the same whether you are good looking or not. Once the looks fade, you’ve got to make the other things work.
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Women longing for a baby advised to opt for ugly men
Women longing for a baby advised to opt for ugly men
Handsome men who are lucky in love may not be the best bet as a mate for women hoping to get pregnant, researchers have said.
Published: 7:00AM BST 10 Jul 2009
Uglier men with fewer notches on their belts are likely to be more productive between the sheets, it is claimed.
Research suggests that in many species, the most desirable males restrict their "sperm load" with each mating to ensure enough to go around.
The same could be true of humans and other primates, say scientists.
If they are right, women looking for the best chance of getting pregnant might be advised to avoid handsome lotharios.
The theory proposes that males have evolved to look for the optimum "sperm load" per mating.
This varies depending on how many available females there are to mate with, and what the chances of mating with them are.
Males with the opportunity to mate with a lot of females would be likely to produce less sperm on each occasion than those making fewer sexual conquests.
A smaller "sperm load" reduces the chances of any individual female getting pregnant. However, this is outweighed by the fact that many different females can be impregnated.
Such a trade-off is seen in the wild and has been observed in chickens and fish.
Researchers modelled the concept of "spreading sperm" mathematically in a paper to be published in the journal American Naturalist.
One member of the team, PhD student Sam Tazzyman, from the Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life sciences and Experimental biology (CoMPLEX) at University College London, said: "In some species, females mate with many different males. Each male's sperm competes with that of other males in a process known as 'sperm competition'. Since males have finite resources to allocate to breeding, they allocate them carefully to each mating to maximise their number of offspring.
"If a male puts a lot of resources into each mating he will get more offspring per mating, but at the expense of fewer matings. If, on the other hand, a male puts few resources into each mating he will secure less paternity per mating, but will be able to carry out more matings overall. Thus, there is a trade-off between number of matings and success per mating.
"How a male negotiates this trade-off depends on how easy he finds it to attract females. The more attractive a male is, the more females will be willing to mate with him, reducing the value of each mating to him. This means it is optimal for him to contribute fewer sperm per mating. Although this reduces fertility per mating, it maximises the number of offspring he sires overall. Less attractive males secure fewer matings but value each of them more highly, and by allocating more sperm to each mating make the most of their meagre opportunities.
"This leads to the rather paradoxical prediction that matings with attractive males may be less fertile than those with unattractive males."
Whether or not the same principle applied to humans and other primates was still unknown, said the researchers – but there every possibility that it did.
"Human attractiveness is complicated and influenced by a number of factors, including cultural preferences," said Mr Tazzyman.
"Nonetheless, ejaculate size and sperm quality are likely to have been moulded by similar forces, like attractiveness and the number of sexual partners, that are important in other species."
- wong chee tat :)
Handsome men who are lucky in love may not be the best bet as a mate for women hoping to get pregnant, researchers have said.
Published: 7:00AM BST 10 Jul 2009
Uglier men with fewer notches on their belts are likely to be more productive between the sheets, it is claimed.
Research suggests that in many species, the most desirable males restrict their "sperm load" with each mating to ensure enough to go around.
The same could be true of humans and other primates, say scientists.
If they are right, women looking for the best chance of getting pregnant might be advised to avoid handsome lotharios.
The theory proposes that males have evolved to look for the optimum "sperm load" per mating.
This varies depending on how many available females there are to mate with, and what the chances of mating with them are.
Males with the opportunity to mate with a lot of females would be likely to produce less sperm on each occasion than those making fewer sexual conquests.
A smaller "sperm load" reduces the chances of any individual female getting pregnant. However, this is outweighed by the fact that many different females can be impregnated.
Such a trade-off is seen in the wild and has been observed in chickens and fish.
Researchers modelled the concept of "spreading sperm" mathematically in a paper to be published in the journal American Naturalist.
One member of the team, PhD student Sam Tazzyman, from the Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life sciences and Experimental biology (CoMPLEX) at University College London, said: "In some species, females mate with many different males. Each male's sperm competes with that of other males in a process known as 'sperm competition'. Since males have finite resources to allocate to breeding, they allocate them carefully to each mating to maximise their number of offspring.
"If a male puts a lot of resources into each mating he will get more offspring per mating, but at the expense of fewer matings. If, on the other hand, a male puts few resources into each mating he will secure less paternity per mating, but will be able to carry out more matings overall. Thus, there is a trade-off between number of matings and success per mating.
"How a male negotiates this trade-off depends on how easy he finds it to attract females. The more attractive a male is, the more females will be willing to mate with him, reducing the value of each mating to him. This means it is optimal for him to contribute fewer sperm per mating. Although this reduces fertility per mating, it maximises the number of offspring he sires overall. Less attractive males secure fewer matings but value each of them more highly, and by allocating more sperm to each mating make the most of their meagre opportunities.
"This leads to the rather paradoxical prediction that matings with attractive males may be less fertile than those with unattractive males."
Whether or not the same principle applied to humans and other primates was still unknown, said the researchers – but there every possibility that it did.
"Human attractiveness is complicated and influenced by a number of factors, including cultural preferences," said Mr Tazzyman.
"Nonetheless, ejaculate size and sperm quality are likely to have been moulded by similar forces, like attractiveness and the number of sexual partners, that are important in other species."
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Laptops Linked To Male Infertility
Laptops Linked To Male Infertility
- wong chee tat :)
ScienceDaily (June 13, 2009) — While fatherhood might be far from the minds of most young men, behavior patterns they establish early on may impact their ability to become a dad later in life. Excessive laptop use tops this list of liabilities, according to one reproductive specialist at Loyola University Health System (LUHS).
"Laptops are becoming increasingly common among young men wired into to the latest technology," said Suzanne Kavic, MD, director of the division of reproductive endocrinology at LUHS and associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and department of medicine at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. "However, the heat generated from laptops can impact sperm production and development making it difficult to conceive down the road."
Kavic recommends placing laptops on desktops to prevent damaging sperm and decreasing counts and motility. Other tips to protect male fertility include:
- Avoiding hot tubs
- Wearing boxers instead of briefs
- Refraining from ejaculating too frequently (the recommendation is to only engage in sexual intercourse every other day around ovulation)
- Exercising moderately (one hour, three to five times per week)
- Avoiding exercise that can generate heat or trauma to the genital area
- Eating well
- Taking a daily multivitamin
- Getting eight hours of sleep per night
- Staying hydrated and limiting caffeine to no more than two cups per day
- Refraining from smoking
- Avoiding drugs and excessive alcohol use
- Minimizing exposure to toxins
- Avoiding excessive weight gain or weight loss
- Practicing stress reduction techniques
Forty percent of fertility issues are attributed to males. Other leading causes of male infertility include varicocoeles or enlarged varicose veins in the scrotum. This condition can raise the temperature in the testicles and damage or kill sperm. Other reasons include genital injuries or defects, certain sexually transmitted infections, prostatitis (an infection or inflammation of the prostate), immune and hormonal disorders and erectile dysfunction. Kavic also notes that underlying health issues and medications may be to blame for fertility issues.
"Medications for depression, blood pressure and certain heart conditions may lower libido or cause impotence," said Kavic. "Men should talk with their physicians to see if medication is necessary or if they can switch to another with fewer side effects."
Reproductive endocrinology services available for males at LUHS include consultations, medical history and physical examinations, semen analysis, intrauterine inseminations by husband donor, assessments for the need for assisted reproductive technology and referrals to support services and alternative medicine.
"With Father's Day around the corner, males should be reminded to take care of their health," said Kavic. "An annual physical exam combined with a healthy lifestyle may make it easier to become a dad when the time is right.- wong chee tat :)
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