‘Sugar daddy’ affairs are private, consensual, do not need ‘moral policing’

I refer to the report, “Police will keep a ‘close eye’ on TheSugarBook: Desmond Lee” (Feb 5), about the money-for-love dating platform The SugarBook.

Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee stated in Parliament that the Government “collectively objects” to such sites because they “commoditise and devalue” relationships, encouraging young women to “demean their self-worth”.

Is this moral policing of our society by the Government necessary?

Relationships involving “sugar daddies” are private, mutually consensual arrangements made between two consenting adults, and such sites already have age limits for those who want to join.

To say that being a “sugar baby” encourages young women to “demean their self-worth” seems to suggest that a woman is ignorant and has no autonomy to act as she desires. It is also judgemental, given that some are doing it for financial needs.

The report stated that The SugarBook caused “outrage” to women’s groups, but I do not recall any such group which has outwardly condemned the site.

I believe that those in public office are reacting too harshly at the potential impact that such relationships have on our society and its values. Such transactional relationships are ubiquitous in any society, and proliferate especially in societies where many are wealthy, like in Singapore.