MR DARSHAN SANDHU, 40, is single and lives alone in a three-room Housing Board flat he bought two years ago. But the Tampines Polytechnic lecturer is neither lonely nor unhappy. His life is surrounded with friends, and on his days off work, he plays hockey, swims, jogs around the neighbourhood or goes to the pub. "When I hear married friends complaining about how difficult it is to raise children, I'm glad I'm not in the same league," he says. Although marriage does cross his mind, he is in no hurry to settle down because friends and work keep him occupied. "I've yet to meet the irresistible girl who will sweep me off my feet" is his candid response. Mr Sandhu may have no life partner yet, but he is not alone in opting to forgo the joys of family life that most other Singaporeans appear devoted to. Like him, an executive who wants to be known only as Mrs Fernandez has postponed parenthood because she is not sure children will make her happy. Her husband feels the same way too. Having children, she claims, may affect her high-flying position because of the demands children can put on a marriage. "I've seen my colleagues who are so stressed-out by their children's behaviour that I think I'm better off without children. I don't have to worry when they fail their examinations or when they get sick," she says. For now, the couple is happy just having each other and spending occasional weekends with their five young nieces and nephews.