Local actress Cynthia Koh has 'no regrets' about not being a mum
The 49-year-old Singapore actress opened up on her choice to stay childless, as well as her comfort for travelling alone.
While having kids seems to be the normal progression for most couples, local actress Cynthia Koh is not only single, but doesn’t have kids as well.
However, in an interview with The Straits Times for her upcoming local film Confinement, she said she has “no regrets” over the latter and “will choose my freedom over being tied down by children”.
Confinement is directed by Singaporean filmmaker Kelvin Tong and also stars Rebecca Lim, who recently announced her own pregnancy.
Navigating expectations and choices
Koh, 49, had to film with a baby for the film, but she didn’t feel any maternal yearnings.
Though, she admitted that she thought of being a mother many years ago and used to believe that childbirth “is a responsibility for all women”. She had also briefly considered adopting.
Koh said, “Growing up, my plan was to start dating and perhaps settle down when I was around 27 years old.
"But when I got to that age, I realised that local men would have just embarked on their careers in their late 20s as they had to fulfil their national service. How can one start a family with empty pockets?”
The actress also had reservations about dating older men as she was worried they might be controlling. She shared that time eventually passed while she was trying to find someone suitable and “it was too late to have kids already”.
Her mother previously suggested using a sperm donor but she laughed it off. She told the national broadsheet, “I'm past the nagging stage already. It is okay if you cannot be a parent.”
Creating memories on her own terms
Despite being on her own, Koh is comfortable travelling solo. She shared that either her friends join her sometimes, or she goes on local tours and makes plans along the way.
Her friends, who have kids, have expressed envy at how easy it is for her to just travel, but Koh told them that they’re making memories differently.
“I tell them they make their memories with their kids, while I create memories the way I want. It's a very different ball game.”
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