Should MRT commuters give up seats to young children?

A TODAY #Trending article this week on a Reddit user questioning why MRT commuters should give up seats to young children has generated much debate online. Some TODAY readers say they will do so for safety reasons while others say they will not and that in some other countries, children are actually encouraged to stand on public transport.

Why do you (Reddit user) even question people for being kind? GILBERT CARTHIGASU

I will only give up my seat to the disabled, the elderly, pregnant mothers and those who are carrying babies. SB TAN-TOMASZEWSKI

Can a child hold on to any nearby railing or hand strap? If not, it's actually safer for that child to be seated in case of any emergency braking. GREG YANG

If the train is too crowded, it’s actually safer for the kid to be seated if they have nothing to hold on to. Also they might be squashed by taller and heavier commuters. HUILIN HENG

Giving up your seat to a child is not mandatory, just a sign of consideration and being polite. MICHAEL LEW

In case of an accident or sudden train stoppage, the children will fly first. Safer if they are seated. FRED MARTENS

What I don’t understand is parents taking priority seats when their kids are safely strapped into their prams/strollers when there are others who need the seat more than they do. FELICIA BOEY

Felicia Boey, it's often tiring when I take my kids out, whether in a stroller or baby carrier. I think most mothers with kids young enough to be in strollers are sleep deprived. I do appreciate it when people give up their seats to me on the train. JOYCE GOI

Being kind and showing compassion doesn’t take a lot of energy… Parents can be quite tired having to manage kids, so a little understanding and compassion would be nice. DIANA HAIRUL

Usually I give up to the parents rather than the kids. When you go out with kids, usually there are a lot of bags involved. CHARMAINE NG

Don’t know about the Reddit user, but I made my kids give up their seats when they were as young as in kindergarten. JELISSA MEI

I offer my seat to the elderly, very pregnant women, and those carrying babies. Don’t see why parents or children should be any more in need of a seat than me. REX KING

Funny how people think that giving a seat to a child will make them not run around or be hyperactive. The centre of gravity is lower for children and their hands are not as strong as compared to an adult when holding onto the handrail in a moving vehicle. This is what I think of when giving up a seat to a child. SARINA NOOR

I don't mind giving up my seat to anyone. But I would really appreciate it if the person can at least say thank you. Same for giving a seat to a child. LUKE KE

Raising a soft future generation. MIHO KENYALANG

Today’s young, you can notice that not many will give up their seats, most look at their mobile phones or pretend not to see the old and weak, so they need not give up. Only some good young ones will do so. ADELINE CHEO

I ever saw a notice in a train in Australia stating that children (who ride free) are encouraged to stand by giving seats to the elderly — it is good cultural values indeed. NG SIU YOK

Was in Perth recently. There’s a sign on buses and trains requesting students to give up their seats to those who paid full fare. MMA MMA

It's cultural. In Australia we were taught as children to stand up for adults on public transport. In Singapore it's the opposite. It's just cultural beliefs. Both are fine and you just have to respect it. GORDON REID

I also don’t give up seats to children. Sorry ah… this auntie is not very kind, but I think our children are generally blessed, so just standing for a short train trip, risking being choked by smelly armpits and swaying left and right on a sometimes rough ride is no big deal. CHEN CHIAU HONG

I don’t give up my seats to young kids. Only the elderly. Kids who are healthy and can stomp their feet and yell at their helpers are capable of standing. Sorry not a parent but this is my idea of common sense. VALERIE WOO

These comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length. If you have views on this issue or a news topic you care about, send a letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.