COR160 Essential Academic Writing Skills

Individual Assignment 02 (TMA02) January 2011 Presentation

PI Number: W1072597 Name: Kwok Yen Peng Florence

MEMO

TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT:

Steven Wong, Section Head of National Youth Programme Florence Kwok, Senior Researcher March 21, 2011 Dilution of Singaporean Spirit in youths

As you requested on 20th March 2011, this report outlines the core reasons for the dilution of the Singaporean spirit in youths and why they are uncomfortable in their own home-land. I have also included some probable suggestions for the Government to look into, to re-ignite the Singaporean spirit. A study by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in 2009 found that 26.4% of young Singaporeans expressed a desire to emigrate. About 2 in 10 surveyed are not positive about their future in Singapore and perceive foreign talent as threats. 37% felt unpatriotic despite being through national education. My investigation started by researching Youth forums websites such as REACH, YOUTH.SG and personal blogs to understand the current sentiment of young Singaporean netizens. The research concludes that high cost of living and influx of foreign workers are the main gripe of unhappy Singapore youths. Political climate plays a minor role of their concerns and this is indicative of the political apathy in today's youth.

15%

7% 30% High cost of living Influx of Foreign Workers Stressful environment Serving NS Political climate

22% 26%

Figure 1: Singapore youths unhappiness Index in 2011 Following these initial findings, I followed up with numerous discussions and email correspondences with youths and activist from several workgroups. The general consensus for the lack of patriotism is that they are at a lost as to what to fight for. This sense of loss could possibly stem from an ineffectual effort to reach out to them. Many simply ignore current politically affairs due to a general lack of interest, monetary and career worries. The

influx of foreigners aggravates these situations, resulting in youths finding it hard to associate themselves as Singaporeans. The dilution of the Singaporean spirit in youths and why they are uncomfortable in their own home-land emanate from 2 problems: (1) ineffectual efforts to reach out to Youths and (2) influx of foreign talent.

PROBLEMS DUE TO INEFFECTUAL EFFORTS National Education (NE) introduced in 1997 to promote national cohesion has seen mixed success. In 2007, Minister of State, Mr Lui Tuck Yew commented that though NE package has engaged the mind sufficiently, it did not warm the hearts adequately and Member of Parliament, Dr Amy Khor used dry, uninteresting to describe Social studies. Polling amongst young Singaporeans revealed that many blame the stifling political climate and the Governments pursue of economic superiority as causal factors of high cost of living and stressful environment. These have nurtured a generation of Singaporeans engaging in paper chase and a materialistic future, at the expense of national affair. This political apathy stems from the belief that the Government will always be there to plan for their future, as aptly pointed out by a fellow researcher, who mentioned that as long as they are compliant, they focus on their studies, their job or lives; they do not have to bother about anything else. Without such involvement, we will only abet bright young Singaporeans to drop out of society, the talented to migrate and the majority who cannot, to live their lives of apathy without any devotion for their country.

PROBLEMS DUE TO INFLUX OF FOREIGN TALENT Since the 1980s, the Government has made great efforts to consolidate its nationhood. However, years of positive fiscal growth have failed to prevent educated professionals from leaving for a better and less stressful life abroad, with the number topping 1,000 a year. To grow its economy, the Singapore population has increased by two million since the 1990s, the main bulk of them foreigners. In 2010, 36 % of the population was made up of foreigners. Singapores defence relies heavily on its reserve force, but declining fertility rates amongst its citizens has lead to a decline in National Service recruits. Our youths lament that in times of conflict, a smaller Singaporean army will have to defend a bigger population, including fighting for foreigners who, without going through National have a head-start when competing with them for jobs and space.

RECOMMENDATION For youths to gain interest and exposure to political and socioeconomic issues, the Government should encourage policy diversity and empower youths involvement in political

issues. These can be achieved by setting up the Youth Parliament lobbied by opposition parties. Avenues that can be explored include deepening youth engagement by empowering them to shape national policies and reviewing National Education curriculum to nurture the spirit of participation in national affaire. Engagement via sports or cultural activities as in Music or Arts also provides more channels for youths to further leverage on their interests and nurture social awareness. The sense of identity and belonging entails more than just where one is born. More attempts should be done to clear assumptions that foreigners unfairly compete with citizens for opportunities and resources. Integrating foreigners and new citizens alone cannot eliminate this perception. The government should look into social safety nets and policies to govern and prevent foreigners from given priorities over locals. Embracing change and a new identity is never easy. However, given time when NE and the many initiatives by the Government start settling in, our youths will start examining ways to mould their own future.

SUMMARY Youths today are more than willing to let the Government run the nation as it sees fit. The Government should be mindful that besides working on strengthening their heartware and emotional rootedness to Singapore, youths must be given responsibility to feel ownership of making Singapore better. The Government must also try harder to listen and understand that superficial civic engagement and the plethora of statistical surveys is not the answer. Though the Governments open-door policy to global talent has effectively boost population statistics; it has adversely impacted our youths sense of belonging and security. What the Government should do is to ensure that Singaporeans, especially those with lower income and education levels are not left behind. For Singaporeans to develop a sense of belonging, they must feel empowered at home and be given equal opportunity to compete and succeed, even with competition from foreign talents.

References IPS. (2011, April 04). Four socio-psychological profiles revealed in IPS study. Retrieved March, 21, 2011, from http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/ EDC110404-0000238/Youths-intention-to-emigrate-not-linked-to-threat-fromforeign-talent Lui, Tuck Yew. (2007). Enhancing NE: Strengthening Heartware and Rootedness. Retrieved March, 21, 2011, from http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches/2007/sp20070307c. htm Vinita, Ramani. (2011, March 4). A hub is not a home. Retrieved March, 5, 2011, from http:// www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110304-0000246/A-hub-is-not-a-home Seah, Chiang Nee. (2008, September 6). Emigration An ironic phenomenon. Retrieved March, 5, 2011, from http://alfred-muses.livejournal.com/1516.html Wong, Wee Nam. (2010, March 20). Has Singapore a future? Retrieved March, 3, 2011, from http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/03/has-singapore-a-future/