Embracing Otherhood - [ST 17122005]- What do you think are some of the challenges facing Singapore as the country plays host to more people from different backgrounds and cultures?
Being in a state of high living standard and social stability, Singapore has attracted many visitors who are speaking different tongues and have different beliefs here in the past few decades. This flock of people from all around the world coming to Singapore is on the increase. Some of us welcome them with warmth opening arms; others are mean-spirited towards their presence in our country. However, what exactly are the challenges faced by Singapore as we host to more people from different backgrounds and cultures?
First and the foremost, the local may be unwilling to accept our guests wholeheartedly. Many locals are grumbling for being substituted by foreigners who show greater ability in their work force. Some of them are reported as being hostile towards the foreign maids and construction workers here. For instance, as raised in the article, the death of the illegal Myanmar worker, Maung Soe Thein. Mr Chua, the local employer of Maung not only did not save him but also, rejected to provide him a proper burial. As mentioned in the article, this tragedy did not cause an outrage ripple from the public, it shows clearly that, Singaporeans at this stage are not giving our fellow foreign friends (or to be precise, guests) enough care and attention. In the past, continual cases of maids being tortured by their employers were surfaced. The number of maids being bullied and ill-treated is still a social problem in our society today. The question is: exactly how many of us did show our compassionate towards these lowbrow cases?
As the growth of our birth rate here is not promising, we need the talents to help boost our economic growth. As a result, we must learn to accept them and not think that they are here to compete with us with our resources and job opportunities.
In recruiting foreigners, including professionals and people who take the blue-collar jobs, many problems flow in. The most common example would be the stereotypical view about the Chinese "Study Mama" here. They are being labelled as “prostitutes” who aim to rupture couple’s relationship and prey on the men for their money. However, this is a sweeping statement as not all China women here are behaving in the same way as the black sheep of China are doing. We must be grateful for those who are contributing to our country’s development especially in the case of low paying blue-collar jobs. They are the ones building nice and cozy flats where we are sheltered from rain and shine. If we do not welcome their arrival, who will be there to build our homes, to take care of our household chores and to bring Singapore’s economic growth to a greater height?
To conclude, we must learn to be compassionate and less prejudiced; not judge these foreigners by their skin colours, their different language and their cultural practices. Only if both parties tolerant and do their part to understand and appreciate each other will we have a peaceful and harmonic society to reside in. Let’s start to help ourselves by accepting the immigrants to join our big family.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Term 3 Week 4 Task 4
World in a balance - [Channel News Asia 15072007]http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/worldbalance/ - In your view, what are the likely political and socio-economic impacts of the demographic changes we see in the world today? Write a response of at least 300 words and 2 content paragraphs, and include materials from the video “World in the Balance” as well as your own knowledge and experience.
In the past few decades, large families were the norm especially in poorer countries where manpower was needed extensively. However, as the world shifts to technological advancement, the standard of living improves and nuclear families are preferred. In many countries, ways of controlling the birth rate evolved everyday. China, the world’s most populous country, has implemented the one-child policy to curb the increase in birth rate. However, in Singapore, incentives are given to encourage births. The change in world’s demography affects the world as a whole and individual country – both negatively and positively.
Firstly, let’s look at the negative impacts of the change in demography. As there is a decrease in the world’s population, more countries would face the problem of ageing population and thus results in a less robust workforce. A less productive workforce equates a stagnant economy. This also implies that there may be an economic downturn in the country and ultimately affects all other countries since all countries depend on one another for trades. For example, in Japan, women are declaring their independence from marriage and motherhood to pursue professional careers. This rapid decrease in population decays the country’s economic productivity. As the decrease in population brings about unbearable economic disadvantages, some countries begin to encourage more births. For instance, Singapore, with population that forms an inverted pyramid, has yet to meet the replacement rate of 2.1. Incentives and bonuses are given to attract people to give more births.
Politically, less young leaders would be there to rule the country and thus, may lead to the collision of a government. Furthermore, when a country faces ageing population, more healthcare and public facilities are to be given. This strained on the country’s resources which would otherwise be used for its development. Therefore, the country may be deprived of further development and unable to keep up with the world’s growing competitiveness. At the same time, the high living standard allows people to have a much longer lifespan. This means that more old people are needed to be supported by the decreasing young population. Hence, the young people would then have to be taxed more heavily to support the old ones. As a result, people may be unhappy with the government and this is where emigration comes in. The change in demography in this case, disadvantages the country and the world adversely.
Alternatively, by looking at a more positive perspective, the change in the demography can be beneficial both to the affected country and the world. China, the world most populous country, has taken the initiative to bend large families. The stop-at-one one-child policy is an effective one for the fact that it helps to reduce the population by more than one million. This lessens the world’s load exponentially. As a result, resources can now be channelled more to other parts in the world to solve social problems like poverty and famine. This transforms the earth for betterment.
However, we must also not forget, this implementation often accompanied by a vast array of illegal and unethical activities. In China, the implementation of the one-child policy has caused a growing number of female infanticides. As males are more sought after, due to the fact that they carry on the family surname, parents of female infants often kill their baby girls so they can try again to get a baby boy. This posts problems like infant smuggling and illegal adoption. There would also be more male working adults than female ones, causing a largely imbalanced pyramid.
In conclusion, the change in world’s demography may not necessarily a bad one for it brings the redistribution of resources among countries. However, many more negative impacts surfaced. For instance, the growth in emigrations, high taxes on the working adults, stagnant economy and infanticides. Since the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, more should be done to curb this demography change from further deteriorating.
In the past few decades, large families were the norm especially in poorer countries where manpower was needed extensively. However, as the world shifts to technological advancement, the standard of living improves and nuclear families are preferred. In many countries, ways of controlling the birth rate evolved everyday. China, the world’s most populous country, has implemented the one-child policy to curb the increase in birth rate. However, in Singapore, incentives are given to encourage births. The change in world’s demography affects the world as a whole and individual country – both negatively and positively.
Firstly, let’s look at the negative impacts of the change in demography. As there is a decrease in the world’s population, more countries would face the problem of ageing population and thus results in a less robust workforce. A less productive workforce equates a stagnant economy. This also implies that there may be an economic downturn in the country and ultimately affects all other countries since all countries depend on one another for trades. For example, in Japan, women are declaring their independence from marriage and motherhood to pursue professional careers. This rapid decrease in population decays the country’s economic productivity. As the decrease in population brings about unbearable economic disadvantages, some countries begin to encourage more births. For instance, Singapore, with population that forms an inverted pyramid, has yet to meet the replacement rate of 2.1. Incentives and bonuses are given to attract people to give more births.
Politically, less young leaders would be there to rule the country and thus, may lead to the collision of a government. Furthermore, when a country faces ageing population, more healthcare and public facilities are to be given. This strained on the country’s resources which would otherwise be used for its development. Therefore, the country may be deprived of further development and unable to keep up with the world’s growing competitiveness. At the same time, the high living standard allows people to have a much longer lifespan. This means that more old people are needed to be supported by the decreasing young population. Hence, the young people would then have to be taxed more heavily to support the old ones. As a result, people may be unhappy with the government and this is where emigration comes in. The change in demography in this case, disadvantages the country and the world adversely.
Alternatively, by looking at a more positive perspective, the change in the demography can be beneficial both to the affected country and the world. China, the world most populous country, has taken the initiative to bend large families. The stop-at-one one-child policy is an effective one for the fact that it helps to reduce the population by more than one million. This lessens the world’s load exponentially. As a result, resources can now be channelled more to other parts in the world to solve social problems like poverty and famine. This transforms the earth for betterment.
However, we must also not forget, this implementation often accompanied by a vast array of illegal and unethical activities. In China, the implementation of the one-child policy has caused a growing number of female infanticides. As males are more sought after, due to the fact that they carry on the family surname, parents of female infants often kill their baby girls so they can try again to get a baby boy. This posts problems like infant smuggling and illegal adoption. There would also be more male working adults than female ones, causing a largely imbalanced pyramid.
In conclusion, the change in world’s demography may not necessarily a bad one for it brings the redistribution of resources among countries. However, many more negative impacts surfaced. For instance, the growth in emigrations, high taxes on the working adults, stagnant economy and infanticides. Since the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, more should be done to curb this demography change from further deteriorating.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Term 3 Week 3 Task 4
Does It Pay to Combine Work with Studies? source from: http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/9/29/161124/526
It is not surprised to hear of any student nowadays working as part timer while schooling. In fact, many think that they should be independent and not ask money from their parents any more.
Many do have the working experience, either from part time jobs or full time ones. Some may take up a part time job during their long year end holiday because they have nothing better to do. They find working during the school holidays much more meaningful than sitting in front of the television set everyday. In addition, they get to taste the life of working adults and thus, gain valuable experiences. Not only have that, by working as part timers, the students themselves get a chance to earn their own pocket money. Some students work while schooling because of their humble family backgrounds. Students from such families have no choice but to work and study simultaneously. Others may think that they are old enough to be financially independent. They do not want to ask money from their parents any more. They think that by working as part timer, they can earn their own allowance and reduce the burden of their parents. However, some people work during study years simply because they want to have the experience which may be helpful for their future. In this ever challenging world, one will only get a good job (after graduation) when she or he has the required related working experience. For instance, reported years ago in
However, does it pay to combine work and study?
In a survey, many working students complained about the lack of sleep due to school work and the part time work they take. These students always end up dozing off during lectures and classes. They also said that they did not perform to the best of their abilities for their examinations. Others said that by taking up a part time job, they have very little time for their school work; let alone be there for hobbies and families. As a result, many students are losing their role as a student – play and study. They get no leisure time and not being sociable in school. Gaps between their friends and themselves widened. They also said that their part time job is not related to the subjects they are studying. Thus, not of much help in their studies.
On the other hand, some find working and studying help them in one way or another. For instance, a student who gives tuition to someone may gain some knowledge in the process. You teach while you earn – not only money but knowledge and experience. Why not then? Some people think that by working, they are better in time management. They can now treasure time better and making their every second more meaningful. What is more, there were a few, who told the questionnaires that now, having a job; they feel better because of more independence. And there were several who mentioned that one more benefit is the ability to meet other people, they find themselves being more sociable in the working force. Only one student asserted that he gets better skills in the field of his studies.
In conclusion, full time students are able to study and work at the same time. Most of them have a part time job, and only some - a full time. And those who do not work are, for the most part, willing to. And it can be seen that students look realistically to the combination of working and studying simultaneously. They have no dreams of such co-ordination being easy and effortless. I think that students work as part timers during school periods is not advisable. As a student, our job is to study and not to work. By working and studying together, we will sure lose the precious time we have for revision and homework. I think that students who intend to work as part timers better to do so only during their school vocations.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Term 3 Week 2 Task 4
Star Search - a meaningful event or a time wasting endeavour by the television network?
Overwhelming response from idol search (America Idol) spearheaded by America has brought about the rise of similar competitions, calling out for talents from all around There is the replica of America Idol locally known as. However, is this project really meaningful and beneficial to both the country and the contestants?
To me, it is not a beneficial process for Singapore to follow suit. First and foremost, Singapore, unlike America, does not have a big market to accommodate the talents discovered. Thus, star search like Singapore Idol might turn out to be taxing on Singapore’s market. By comparing Singapore’s market to Malaysia’s - we both have a relatively small market – local singers are not highly recognized. The best examples would be, Taufik Batisah and Chen Wei Lian, winner of Singapore idol and Project Superstar respectively. As a result, many local-born celebrities are venturing out of Singapore into Taiwan, China and Hong Kong for further development and betterment. From this, we can infer that star search here has limited benefits, or in fact, no benefit unless the champs are prepared to step out of Singapore for his or her endeavours.
I do not see the need for such talents-searching contest for a few reasons. Star search is a time-consuming commitment for all the contestants; they have to put in lots of time and efforts in the trainings, rehearsals and performances. This alone is enough in bringing the worrying negative impacts on the individual such as the negligence in work and relationship. For some, worse still, they skipped meals and sacrificed sleep for their competition as mentioned in various interviews with the contestants. This causes inevitable damage on their health. Ultimately, there will be only one outcome: one winner and many losers. For the winner, the time and effort pay off; for the later, all the hard work and time they invested dearly in the competition go to waste. Radically, we can clearly see that the amount of time you devote in the competition does not guarantee you anything in the contest; you may have the entitlement of loser in the end. Hence, I do not see the advantages of this contest to be launched here.
Star Searching in Singapore is seen more of a time wasting endeavour by the television network. In the contest, audience is to judge their own winner by voting through short message service [SMS] or calls. This large amount of money hauled from the voting goes to the pocket of the television network and the organization. The media is in fact trying to use this readily fast method to earn the quick money from the supporters of the contestants. Thus, from my point of view, I think that the contest is more of an economically profit-driven event for the television network.
For everything good, there is always a price to pay. The Singapore Idol is a double-edged knife for the contestants. Before the contestants are able to enjoy the privileges of an idol, they are already restricted to carry on with their normally way of life. Every single word they make, action they do is closely observed. Intrinsically, they are deprived of privacy and freedom and are refrained from being themselves.
Ergo, I do not think that the contest is a worthy and meaningful one for contestants to maximize their potential talents. Some may argue that it is the process that matters and not the end result. They claim that many contestants gain valuable experiences and make many friends who share the common interest. I do not deny that this is indeed the best take-away of this whole contest, however, as I have mentioned, the cons of the contest far outweigh the pros. Furthermost, in a competition, everyone hopes to win, there is inadequate proof to show how genuine the new friend can be. Hence, I am against the Singapore Idol contest and firmly believe that Singapore Idol is not an meaningful event but a plot of the television network.
Overwhelming response from idol search (America Idol) spearheaded by America has brought about the rise of similar competitions, calling out for talents from all around There is the replica of America Idol locally known as
To me, it is not a beneficial process for Singapore to follow suit. First and foremost, Singapore, unlike America, does not have a big market to accommodate the talents discovered. Thus, star search like Singapore Idol might turn out to be taxing on Singapore’s market. By comparing Singapore’s market to Malaysia’s - we both have a relatively small market – local singers are not highly recognized. The best examples would be, Taufik Batisah and Chen Wei Lian, winner of Singapore idol and Project Superstar respectively. As a result, many local-born celebrities are venturing out of Singapore into Taiwan, China and Hong Kong for further development and betterment. From this, we can infer that star search here has limited benefits, or in fact, no benefit unless the champs are prepared to step out of Singapore for his or her endeavours.
I do not see the need for such talents-searching contest for a few reasons. Star search is a time-consuming commitment for all the contestants; they have to put in lots of time and efforts in the trainings, rehearsals and performances. This alone is enough in bringing the worrying negative impacts on the individual such as the negligence in work and relationship. For some, worse still, they skipped meals and sacrificed sleep for their competition as mentioned in various interviews with the contestants. This causes inevitable damage on their health. Ultimately, there will be only one outcome: one winner and many losers. For the winner, the time and effort pay off; for the later, all the hard work and time they invested dearly in the competition go to waste. Radically, we can clearly see that the amount of time you devote in the competition does not guarantee you anything in the contest; you may have the entitlement of loser in the end. Hence, I do not see the advantages of this contest to be launched here.
Star Searching in Singapore is seen more of a time wasting endeavour by the television network. In the contest, audience is to judge their own winner by voting through short message service [SMS] or calls. This large amount of money hauled from the voting goes to the pocket of the television network and the organization. The media is in fact trying to use this readily fast method to earn the quick money from the supporters of the contestants. Thus, from my point of view, I think that the contest is more of an economically profit-driven event for the television network.
For everything good, there is always a price to pay. The Singapore Idol is a double-edged knife for the contestants. Before the contestants are able to enjoy the privileges of an idol, they are already restricted to carry on with their normally way of life. Every single word they make, action they do is closely observed. Intrinsically, they are deprived of privacy and freedom and are refrained from being themselves.
Ergo, I do not think that the contest is a worthy and meaningful one for contestants to maximize their potential talents. Some may argue that it is the process that matters and not the end result. They claim that many contestants gain valuable experiences and make many friends who share the common interest. I do not deny that this is indeed the best take-away of this whole contest, however, as I have mentioned, the cons of the contest far outweigh the pros. Furthermost, in a competition, everyone hopes to win, there is inadequate proof to show how genuine the new friend can be. Hence, I am against the Singapore Idol contest and firmly believe that Singapore Idol is not an meaningful event but a plot of the television network.
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