**SINGAPORE**: A recent forum discussion ignited a debate on whether parents should be responsible for their children's university fees, with one user sharing his personal experience that raised eyebrows and sparked conversations online. This Singaporean man recalled how his parents expected him and his siblings to fund their own university education and, remarkably, to contribute a third of their salary to their parents afterward.

"I’m not sure what kind of tradition this is, but my parents insisted it was the right path," he stated. "They expected us to pay our own fees, and we complied. They even anticipated us to share a portion of our earnings later in life. In our family, when my older sibling married, they also took all the red packets," he shared, indicating a cultural practice where monetary gifts are given during celebrations.

Interestingly enough, he expressed that he doesn't harbor deep resentment towards his upbringing. "In a way, I feel fine about it now. Since we give them money, they don't have anything to hold against us anymore. During arguments, they no longer throw 'we raised you' or 'we fed you' in our faces," he noted, a sign of how financial dynamics can shift family relationships.

However, he admitted to feeling envious of peers whose parents set up savings accounts for them, suggesting a stark contrast in family financial practices. "My parents took all our red packets and allowances when we were kids. We really started from ground zero," he lamented. He added, "If parents can afford to pay, then they should."

The comment section was filled with varied opinions from the forum users. Some argued that financially able parents should cover their children's educational expenses, emphasizing that starting a career burdened with debt is unfair. "If parents can afford it, why pile on debts for their kids before graduation? If they can't manage, then it’s unavoidable; students must take loans and work part-time," one commented passionately.

On the other hand, some users believed that personal responsibility regarding education is essential, even for children of affluent parents. "My parents had the means, but they viewed a degree as optional. So, I took a bank loan and quickly understood their position; you never know when emergencies might arise," one individual recounted, underscoring the belief that financial independence starts early.

Another commenter reinforced this perspective, stating, "In Singapore, students can either apply for loans or utilize their or their parents' funds, which must be reimbursed later. Children should learn to shoulder financial responsibilities instead of solely leaning on their parents or the government."

In a striking contrast to this educational financial discourse, another trending social media topic featured a woman describing the severe mental toll her job has taken on her well-being. Openly sharing her struggles on the r/askSingapore subreddit, she revealed, "I've been crying almost every day since my responsibilities changed at work." Demonstrating the intertwining nature of professional pressures and personal health, she explained that she initially thrived in her role, only for everything to shift dramatically with her new job requirements.

As these discussions unfold, they highlight not just the financial expectations parents may have but also the broader emotional implications intertwined with career changes and educational debts. Singaporean families are navigating these challenges as they collectively define what support should look like in today's world.