Why friends matter

Dr Mathew Mathews from the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS, discussed how friends can provide an alternative system of support, especially for those who are divorced and those with low income, amid shrinking family sizes in Singapore. He observed that local community agencies are attempting to address social isolation in providing services, and opined that building ties, whether with family or friends, does require individual effort and initiative, but that it certainly can be fostered by community resources which make this more possible.

• The Straits Times, 25 July 2016, Opinion, pA21