Singapore divorce lawyer’s ‘elitist’ view on marriage and education draws backlash from netizens

SINGAPORE: A wave of controversy has erupted on social media following comments made by Singaporean divorce lawyer Rudy Marican.

His remarks, which criticized highly educated women for choosing partners with lower educational qualifications, sparked widespread anger, particularly within the Malay-Muslim community.

On 3 November, Rudy posted on Facebook, questioning why women with high academic qualifications—such as a university degree, Masters, or PhD—would marry men with minimal education.

He expressed confusion, saying, “Why do you marry an ‘O’ Level man who didn’t even pass? I don’t understand! Are you desperate for the title ‘wife’?”

He further added, “If I were a doctor, I wouldn’t marry a woman with only an ITE qualification because how would she be a good mother with such a shallow qualification and knowledge?”

Rudy’s post was met with backlash from netizens.

Cultural Entrepreneur Oniatta Effendi was among the critics, sharing her thoughts on the post and condemning the lawyer’s remarks for being harmful and disrespectful to women.

She emphasized the need to challenge such views, which diminish women’s worth based on elitist standards.

Oniatta criticized several statements made by Rudy, including his assertion that women who marry men with lower qualifications are “desperate for the title ‘wife’.”

She also condemned his implication that a woman with an ITE education would be unsuitable as a mother.

She described these views as elitist and out of touch with the values of respect, empathy, and community-building.

She further argued that education alone does not determine a person’s worth as a spouse or parent, stating, “Education doesn’t guarantee resilience, integrity, or the ability to lead a family.”

In an interview with Berita Harian SG, Rudy stood by his comments, explaining that he frequently deals with cases of women seeking divorce, alimony, and child support due to their marriages to unsuitable partners.

“I don’t want to hear the same problem again,” he said.

“When I am faced with cases like this, it makes me very sad.”

He also reiterated his commitment to offering free consultations, claiming that he is dedicated to helping those in need.

Outrage erupts over Rudy controversial remarks

Rudy’s controversial post has sparked widespread outrage, with over 520 comments on his original Facebook post and 204 comments under Berita Harian SG, many calling for more respect, empathy, and a broader understanding of relationships beyond academic qualifications.

One user shared a personal story, reflecting on how his uneducated parents—who only had a high school and primary education—worked hard to support their children, enabling them to complete tertiary education.

The user expressed dismay at Rudy’s logic, suggesting that, by his reasoning, he would have been destined for failure despite his parents’ sacrifices.

Other users criticized Rudy’s elitist viewpoint, emphasizing that education is not always a reflection of a person’s character.

The user pointed out that many uneducated men have successfully raised responsible, pious children, while some educated individuals have failed to demonstrate similar integrity.

Another user urged Rudy to refrain from looking down on others, stressing that being highly educated does not automatically make someone a responsible person.

One user appealed to Rudy to adopt a more respectful approach in his future public remarks, reminding him that not everyone has the opportunity to attain a university education.

Some netizens defend Rudy viewpoint

Despite the backlash, some users defended Rudy’s viewpoint, suggesting that his criticism was not directed solely at individuals based on their education, but rather at the habits and traits often associated with certain educational backgrounds.

One commenter acknowledged that individuals with lower educational qualifications often work hard to support their families, but emphasized that education alone does not guarantee responsibility or good character.

They suggested that mindset, habits, and behavior are more important in determining a person’s suitability as a partner or parent.

Some users also defended Rudy, arguing that his frustration stems from his experience with divorce cases involving men with lower educational backgrounds, where he witnessed the challenges faced by women and children.

Another user interpreted Rudy’s comments as a warning to choose a partner who shares similar traits and values, suggesting that mismatched educational backgrounds could lead to relationship difficulties.