The former Raffles Junior College student will begin national service next month. He lives with his parents, a secretary and shipyard manager, and two younger brothers in a terrace house in Bukit Timah.
Teens talk about sex very often because it is forbidden and, thus, intriguing. My friends and I talk about it too, but not the explicit stuff. For instance, we may ask each other if we would have pre-marital sex.
I wouldn't. It's against my religion and I know it will hurt my parents, who are quite conservative. Besides, there's always the risk of pregnancy, no matter how good contraceptives are today. I'm still too young to raise a family on my own. It would be irresponsible of me. My parents have made it clear that they don't want me to start dating until I get a degree and find myself a job. I told my Mum that this is humanly impossible, and she said: "Try lah."
Twice, I came very near to going out with girls, but broke off with them before any serious attachment was formed because I didn't have the time. The first time it happened, I was in Secondary 4, the year of my O levels. Then last year, I found myself in the same situation, and I had to sit for the A levels.
I pick up most of what I know about girls and dating from my friends, such as what to do on Valentine's Day and where to get the cheapest flowers. Hollywood's idea of love is unreal because everything is perfect. Also, it puts the pressure on youngsters to get attached. You see 14-year-olds dating in movies and television shows and you think: "I'm 19 and I'm still single."
I would say my concept of love and marriage is shaped by observing people around me, like my parents, who have been married for 2O years.
They do argue occasionally, behind closed doors. It makes me sad but I know it's normal for couples to fight. But my Mum will also show me the love poems that my Dad wrote to her when they were dating.
Spending time together is a big thing in my family. For instance, we spend our Sundays chatting, watching television and having dinner together.
This is why I have made raising a happy family one of my goals in life. If you have made the decision to marry someone, divorce should be the last thing on your mind. As far as possible, try to work out the differences and stick with the person you have chosen."
