I have a friend whom i know for approximately 20 years. He was 16 years old when i met him at my workplace. Time really files, now we are both in our late 30s.

I remember he left school after completing primary school studies and started work early as a delivery assistant. However, he stopped working at ard 22 years old after he got married. He has stopped working since till now.

Almost 14 years of being unemployed. He has 3 kids and a wife and rely on the income coming from his and his mil hdb that they rented out (he is living and/ or bunking his family (wife and 3 kids ) together with his mil and mother in a 4 room hdb owned by his mum.

Although this is a good option to have more income but i supposed there would be lots of conflicts since his wife, kids , mother and mil live together…

I did advise him to get a job since he is fir and healthy so that he can earn a decent earning to better support the family, etc.

These advices were raised several times over the past 2 decades but he kept saying he was disintegrated from the society and doesnt wana work. He said he is happy with how life is and relies on government subsidies in household expenses and kids educational fees etc.

I was terribly upset upon hearing this time after time. I meant firstly, if he works, he can get more income with cpf to somehow retire better eventually.

Secondly, the government subsidies & taxpayers money are supposed to help those really in need and not for those who are well and fit to be employed and choose not to work.

What are your thoughts? Is my friend lazy or is he really feeling inferior and lack confidence in re-entering the workforce?

Netizens’ comments

I think you really too free. If he can quit at 22, the age where most have the most energy AND THEN unemployed for 14 years, he must have hated working and lazy af. And what makes you think his family need his contribution? His wife’s family may be richer than you think. You are terribly upset? He’s ur son or wat. Raised this to him several times over past decade? Don’t kpo la, work on yourself better.

His life. His business. His burden. This is Not your circus and Not your monkey. So Why stress yourself? Your life not enough stress to waste your own time in peoples life? Very problem free? Your friend is grown! He knows what he is doing!