I refer to law lecturer Tan Seow Hon’s commentary, “Time again to review abortion laws” (April 1).

A search on Google reveals that she holds views aligned to conservative anti-abortion groups in the United States, and she should have disclosed this.

In her commentary, she brings up the recent limitations to abortion in North Dakota. But she fails to mention the chorus of opposition to the decision, which was made under pressure from religious groups.

If Associate Professor Tan wants a debate about abortion, there may be others in Singapore willing to engage in meaningful counter-arguments.

That, though, is not the reason behind Singapore’s low birth rates; there are other lifestyle issues at play. Globally, birth rates fall as countries develop, and Singapore is no exception.

In a society with a pressure-cooker education system, many young people prefer to put all their attention on the one or two children they are willing to have. Having more children adds pressure, financially and emotionally.

Others are simply making a lifestyle choice: Why bring children into this pressure-cooker world if it is easier to worry about one’s self and plan for one’s retirement?

The Government can do more about this issue. It must increase access to and help reduce the cost of day-care services, which could also help to get more mothers into the workforce.

It can encourage schools to reduce the pressure on children to focus only on grades, and cultivate a well-rounded childhood. Fathers should be allowed to take more paternity leave to take more responsibility for children.

Costs would increase, but the Government should weigh that against the cost of a low birth rate. Even if all these are done immediately — and they need to be if we want to increase birth rates — the effects would take time. There are no near-term solutions.