50 undergraduate and graduate women were asked whether they would date a blue-collar worker, and all said no. STOMPer Ophelia agrees with these results, and says she too would prefer dating someone of the same social and intellectual standing.

The poll was conducted by The New Paper.

Ophelia wrote:

"As a female graduate, I'm not surprised that all the 50 women polled by TNP said they would not marry a blue-collar worker.

"To me, there's nothing elitist about this mindset and I have nothing against blue-collar workers.

"I enjoy literature and watching plays and musicals, and I'm used to a certain lifestyle that requires a certain salary to maintain. So, in terms of intellect and social standing, I would prefer a fellow graduate with a bright future."

According to the New Paper article, dating agencies say few women here are willing to 'marry down'. Seven dating agencies say their female graduate clients all ask to be matched with men who have at least the same educational level.

Ms Lydia Gan, co-founder of Clique Wise dating agency, says she has had women clients who married less-educated men while they were in their 20s only to become unhappy a decade later. By then, the women would be doing well in their careers, but the men would still be holding low-paying jobs.

MP Indranee Rajah said that while having the same educational background can help couples gel, women should not write off men based on a piece of paper. But one academic who has done a study on what women look for in a spouse said the general principle is still to marry someone of your educational level.

In an earlier article, 22-year-old Eliza Lee, who is a rich graduate, raised eyebrows when she chose to marry a chicken rice seller.