No R21 in the Heartlands!

I applaud Ah Gong for not allowing R21 in the heartlands. Yes, some of you may cry (cow peh cow bu) and call Singaporeans prudish and hypocritical.  Who doesn't catch some porn at home anyways?

Indeed there are many reasons for the performing arts community to lobby for a more liberal arts scene. Expressing oneself, being creative etc are hallmarks of a 1st World country. It is shouting to the world "We have arrived and no longer hungry. We've fed our stomachs, so now let's feed our minds."

However, as a parent of 3 kids (yes, I met quota liao and should be given a National Day Award...heehee), I couldn't agree more with Ah Gong's stand.  Just 2 weeks back, my 5-year old daughter needed new leotards for her ballet class, so we drove to Orchard Plaza on a Sunday to pick it up. Kids that age are amazing, because when they start to learn to read, they read everything they can see....Message boards along our expressways, street signs, adverts, posters....whatever. So when I turned into Cavenagh Road, right at the corner was a shop that shouts out, rather indiscretely, "SEX TOYS".  Of course, with the usual life-sized posters of skimpily clad girls with less dressing than a Caesar salad. I was just praying hard that she didn't notice that and not ask questions which I am not prepared to answer, at least not to a 5 year old.

Thank goodness, she didn't. It was an awkward moment, but thankfully I don't have to put myself in that situation often. Can you imagine what every parent have to face if we bring our families to heartland malls like AMK Hub or Bishan Junction 8? 

"Aiya, nobody ask you to go to the cinema, so why should you impose YOUR needs on mine?" The CheekoPek might ask. 

Well, have you seen how malls are designed? Cinemas are usually at the top level (lower rent cos less human traffic?). But so are food courts and family entertainment centres and arcades. You cannot avoid passing by the movie posters when you go to these places.

So while it made the headlines today in the Straits Times, I think it is a good thing. For the rest of those who want to catch an R21 movie, just take a train to Outram. Don't forget the foldable umbrella hor? If you can't afford the travelling time, get yourself a broadband account and watch from home. 100 symbolic banned sites, but there are 1000s of others which you can find.