Photovoice Â
Done by: Michelle Tay R&P Intern
Wellbeing Â
Iden%ty search In fast paced Singapore, I feel that we do not have much ;me to explore ! our dreams and passion. A majority of my peers, and me, are oAen at a loss as to which career path to pursue following gradua;on. More opportuni;es for us to learn about various career paths in Singapore and iden;fying our interests instead of passing the next big test would be good.
Work and play It is common to see children as young as 6-‐7 aFending tui;on classes. ! Although educa;on is important, I feel that it is too highly emphasized in Singapore, oAen pressuring students more than it should. I feel that students shouldn’t have to feel doomed if they fail that test or exam; there should be more opportuni;es in other fields available for youths.
More study rooms please? In Singapore, it is common to see students studying in fast food chains/ cafes which might be a disturbance to the general public. I think it is good that there is a study room set up for students in SKCC and I oAen see students from all ages studying together. I think such places is also a good plaOorm for students from all walks of life to interact.
Expecta%ons VS reality The rising cost of living in Singapore juxtaposed against the fairly ! stagnant wages is worrying. Growing up in a first world country, most of us expect to be able to own our HDB flat/condominium and car. However the reality is that HDB prices are sky high, much less condominiums, and prices of cars are pushed higher by the year with COE and road taxes.
I want kids, but… Singapore’s low fer;lity rate is an issue. I would love to have children in ! the future; however living in one of the most expensive countries in the world makes things difficult. All parents would want the best for their children; therefore if I feel that I would not be able to provide well for my child, I would rather not have children. Could more be done to support young parents?
Social Support
Aging popula%on Everyone will eventually grow old and as we are growing up, our parents are growing old as well. I hope to be capable of leZng them re;re early and enjoy their golden years. Other than financially suppor;ng them, I also wish to spend ;me with them. However, the current situa;on is that many elderly are working beyond re;rement ages and children are too busy working.
Support for migrants The recent events of the liFle India riot has put light on the living condi;ons of migrant workers in Singapore. I feel that Singaporeans oAen overlook the importance of these migrant workers who leave their families behind to build houses and buildings for us. Thus I think the new ini;a;ve to provide migrant workers with entertainment facili;es should definitely be supported.
What kampung spirit? I feel that Singaporeans always seem to be in a rush and thus appear cold and distant. Majority of us live in HDB flats which share a wall with our neighbours yet we oAen do not interact with our neighbours. I think that Singaporeans should perhaps slow down their pace and interact more with the people they see almost daily and live so close to.
The (lack of) Asian pride I feel that young Chinese Singaporeans do not appreciate the Chinese culture enough. Many of my fellow Chinese Singaporean friends look up to the Western people and oAen want to be like them. This leads to them neglec;ng their Mother Tongue language which is Mandarin. To me, one of the strengths of Singaporeans are bilingualism, thus the erosion of this ability is a problem.
A (truly) inclusive society I hope for Singapore to be a truly inclusive society that looks out for every sector of its popula;on. With the advancements in technology it is now possible to make many parts of Singapore wheelchair-‐friendly. I think other than public places, schools could also be made more wheelchair friendly thus allowing children, who are wheelchair bound but fit to aFend school, the opportunity to aFend a regular school.
Social Par;cipa;on
Corporate social responsibility I feel that companies can do a lot more in terms of corporate social responsibility. City square mall is Singapore’s eco-‐friendly shopping mall that uses smart technology to reduce wastage of electricity in the mall. I think more companies/ shopping malls should also play their part in helping the environment and raising awareness of such social issues.
Recycle more, waste less I think that in terms of recycling, Singapore can do a much beFer job than it is currently doing. I feel that Singaporeans are not educated well enough about recycling and the importance of it. Even with these recycling bins below each block, it is oAen not u;lized in the right way as well. Singapore has a small land size and limited landfill capacity so the increasing amounts of waste generated is a problem.
Ac%ve par%cipa%on These no;ce boards are commonly seen at local community centres. Rather than joining expensive/exclusive clubs, I feel that youths would be beFer off joining these ac;vi;es due to the exposure they will get from mee;ng people from different walks of life. Yet the stereotype of such ac;vi;es being for elderly or kids makes it hard for youths to join. CCs should re-‐ market themselves to aFract more youths to join in their ac;vi;es J
A special canvas I think the establishment of the Esplanade is really a boost to the local arts scene. The picture above shows Speak Cryp;c aka Farizwan Fajari, visual ar;st working on the walls along the passageway leading to the Esplanade. Even though I am not par;cularly interested in the arts, I find it encouraging that youths are given a proper plaOorm to express and showcase their work.
Singaporean pride I feel that many of my peers, me included, do not really support Singapore’s local talents/ produc;ons. Singaporeans oAen seem to look down on local ar;stes thinking that they wont be able to make it big. I think local produc;ons such as television dramas or local bands could do with more support and it would be nice to see Singaporeans suppor;ng their fellow ci;zens.
Photovoice
Done by: Desmond Lim R & P Intern
Wellbeing Â
A place called home With the current housing prices, affording one’s own flat is becoming an arduous task. As much as I am able to u;lize my CPF to make payments for the flat, but at the end of the day I would s;ll be saddled with housing debts. Home ownership is one of the concern in star;ng a family and if I am going to be spending the rest of the next few years paying my debts, I believe it will be beFer off being financially stable first.
Searching for a sense of belonging Is the grass always greener on the other side? I feel that the career prospects , quality of life, and life sa;sfac;on would be beFer overseas as compared to the fast-‐paced and poor work-‐life balance here. Of course, perspec;ve is always subjec;ve. Some;mes, I feel that local talent is overshadowed and underappreciated in favour of the foreign talent, which is ingrained as “beFer”. I believe this not oAen the case.
A “gateway” to progress? As Singapore con;nues its march towards economic progress, I feel that Singapore has become a playground for the rich. Despite the government implemen;ng various measures to bridge the social inequality, it’s always the middle-‐income group that is sandwiched. If this is leA unaddressed, social unrest will con;nue to rise. The repercussion of it will undermine what Singapore has achieved over the years.
Expec%ng too much? The tradi;onal no;on that achieving a degree opens up a path to career success is no longer viable. Since young, I was ingrained with this mentality and I can expect upward mobility. In order to hold an edge, internships, skills upgrading and overseas experience become important to differen;ate myself from others. A degree is now just a qualifica;on to be considered but not an en;tlement to a career success.
Taking the next step Since young, I was exposed to these so-‐called routes in aFaining my life goals. Some;mes, I fear the uncertainty as taking the path less treaded means more inherent risks to it. I believe that this could be aFributed to the no;on that in this fast-‐paced and economic-‐driven society of Singapore, it becomes impossible to accommodate for those who failed and lacked behind.
Social support
Work-‐life balance: Family defines us In the midst of pursuing a foothold in my future, I feel that this is at the expense of spending ;me with my family. I feel that the limited amount of work-‐life balance culture in our workplace or even our society, which could be subjec;ve, may be due to the fast-‐paced life here in Singapore. Of course, there is always a choice but I believe that the circumstances serve as a catalyst for work-‐life balance to occur.
Ageing popula%on I believe that having access to good and affordable medical services is important. Illness and diseases are part and parcel of life. Despite the constant reassurance by the government in keeping the healthcare affordable, the increasing demand for healthcare due to the ageing popula;on make this seems bleak. In addi;on, I feel that the exis;ng pool of medical support staff are taxed by the demand.
Segrega%on In light of the preposterous outcry of Philippinos celebra;ng their Na;onal Day in Singapore, this xenophobic phenomenon is uncalled for. Similar to us, these migrants are in need for an urban space, allowing themselves a sense of belonging. In order for social integra;on to work, mutual understanding and interac;on has to be cul;vated. Some;mes compromise is needed. Na;onalis;c sen;ment is now a thing of the past.
Tolerance I believe that Singapore has enjoyed its share of mutual understanding throughout the years. Some;mes, this long period of harmony results in people taking it for granted. Due to the recent condemna;on of the Pink Dot event, I think it is audacious to enforce your religious ideals onto another person. The ac;ons in segrega;ng individuals are ironic to what is being preached. Morality is never black and white.
Na%onal Pride As Singapore is embarking on its 50 years of independence, . I am proud of what a small na;on like Singapore has achieved. Nevertheless, I feel that na;onal pride and having a sense of belonging should not be associated together. AAer all, I am proud to be a Singaporean yet at the ;me I feel a low sense of belonging with the emerging issues of high standard of living, coupled with low quality of life.
Social par;cipa;on
Service learning goes both way I once believed that I would make an impact when I signed up for YEP but throughout the trip, I realized that this was not the case. Rather, I feel that they are more sa;sfied than us. As much as this may sound hypocri;cal, I feel that some;mes people have to experience the other side in order to feel apprecia;ve. YEP has empowered me and even serve as future mo;va;on for volunteering locally.
Leading an ac%ve lifestyle In the pursuit of career excellence, keeping an ac;ve lifestyle is also important. I am heartened by the fact that the government has implemented more facili;es and increased more avenues for ac;vi;es. These including kayaking, wakeboarding and many more. I see this as an opportunity for me to engage ac;vi;es with my friends and family, and also keeping fit.
School is more than a place for learning Striking a balance between academic and lifestyle is important. I feel that there is an overemphasis of academic in Singapore. It has been so deeply entrenched since young that we were brought up with the no;on that beFer grades will be the key to beFer quality of living. Moreover, I feel that grades are not a complete indicator of someone’s capabili;es.
Grooming the next genera%on of local talent I believe that Singapore has its own share of local talent, be it its sports or arts. The insufficient support for local arts and sports is what some ar;sts and sportsmen are claiming. Despite the government alloca;ng funds for cultural ac;vi;es in recent years, I believe that limited local audience support and the lack of proper communica;on in applying for these funds, along with red-‐tapes are the problems instead.
Having a poli%cal voice As much as I believe that having a voice is vital, what is equally important is the government themselves are listening and redressing the issues at hand. The growing distrust of the government if leA alone with con;nue to breed and shadow the future efforts of the next genera;on poli;cal leaders. Some;mes by looking at the large picture, we tend to overlook the minor issues, resul;ng in the current disconnec;on.
Photovoice Â
Done by: Sylvester Or R&P Intern
Wellbeing Â
Can I go back in %me? Opportuni;es are everywhere. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to spot it all the ;me. This is one of the instances that I hope I could go back in ;me and seize that opportunity. Perhaps, I was short-‐sighted. Perhaps, I was immature. Perhaps, I needed more guidance from my mentors, teachers and people whom I look up to.
What is ahead of us? The structured way of life since young may first, seem good and organized. However, as I am transi;ng to my adult life, I feel at lost. What does the future hold for me? Who will be there suppor;ng and providing what I want? I guess I could only test it out myself and take the full responsibility in order to learn and hopefully, grow.
Behind closed door Even though we are living in the age of technology where the world is closer virtually, I am clueless about what is happening around me. I do not know the names of my neighbors or what are they working as. The ‘Kampong’ spirit never happened in my estate. Everyone just prefers to keep everything to themselves.
Happiness can be simple Happiness can be very simple, but in this globalized world, it makes one thinks that happiness is closely linked to fame, power and money. Nowadays, when I achieved something that seemed valuable in the eyes of society, I wondered if I am genuinely happy.
Na%onal Pride A survey recently showed that more than half of the Singaporeans would migrate overseas if given a choice. I am afraid that this is a sign of Singaporeans losing the Na;onal Pride and iden;ty. In the long run, our future genera;on might be in jeopardy as they do not have any iden;ty to relate to.
Social Support
The fast-‐paced society In this fast-‐paced society, I hardly get any ;me to rest. In school, I will be overwhelmed by schoolwork and shortly aAer gradua;on, I will be under pressure to join the workforce almost immediately. Once in the workforce, I will be ;ed up with work and responsibili;es, which leave me no ;me for spiritual or any other personal development.
GeUng married I feel that geZng married is an expensive affair in Singapore and it comes with heavy responsibili;es. These responsibili;es come even before you said, ‘I do’. In recent years, couples have been applying for flats even before the marriage proposal. In addi;on to that, there are wedding ceremony and dinner to prepare for.
Too early to have children? Having children is not just an expensive affairs, but a long-‐term investment. I will require a huge capital at the ini;ate stage and will only reap what I sow aAer around 20 years, if any. This is worrying and a concern for myself. Unless I am financially stable and ready to commit, it is unlikely that I have children right aAer marriage.
Work-‐life balance More than half of the marriages in the US will end up with a divorce. In Singapore, divorce is on the rise too. This is alarming as I do not know if real love works. I feel that in this 21st century, youths have different priori;es in life and unfortunately, forming a family is seldom among the top priori;es.
Being kind and respecVul to others Having worked with a number of youths, I feel that they are geZng more outspoken and opinionated. Unfortunately, messages that get conveyed may seem inappropriate or even rude. This is unwelcoming because aZtude is the outmost important trait in day-‐to-‐day interac;on with people.
Social Par;cipa;on
Who is the beneficiary? As I am more involved in interna;onal community service, I oAen ask myself if I am really lending a helping hand to them. Do they really need my help or am I a burden to them? It seems that it is a one-‐sided affair instead of a reciprocal one.
Do we know each other well enough? Singapore is a mul;racial society for nearly half a century. However, in recent ;mes, I s;ll heard of insensi;ve comments made by youths of different races. It seems that social par;cipa;on among the different races is s;ll lacking and there is much to be done.
Leading Volunteers Finding youths to volunteer in community projects is not a problem. However, finding a leader among volunteers is a challenge. This is exactly what I’ve faced when I was finding a successor to take over a community project of mine. It is sad to hear that many of them s;ll regard educa;on as more important than servicing the less fortunate.
Do we s%ll care for our environment? I find that youths are spending less ;me volunteering in environment-‐ related community work. This is worrying because it might be a sign that youths are generally not concern about environmental issues. In fact, when I stroll along the park, I hardly even see any youths.
Childless Playground I feel that youths today played less at the playground when they were young as compared to youths a decade ago. This is saddening because the playgrounds nowadays are not as lively as the playgrounds I knew before.
Additional Slides
Youth Health (Well-‐being) Once we are in ter;ary educa;on, we lack the mo;va;on to exercise as it is no longer a mandatory subject. We will usually aFribute it to lack of ;me or space to do it. It is a sad phenomenon because if a good exercise rou;ne is not inculcated since young, we will likely turn out to be inac;ve as well when we transit into our adult life. This inac;ve lifestyle may affect our health directly or indirectly.
Aging popula%on (Social Support) In the near future, I will have to support a higher number of Elderly as compared to the working adults now. This is worrying because it will be a heavier burden and responsibility for myself. As much as I want to repay our senior ci;zens for their hard work and effort in bringing me up in this society, I am likely to be limited by my own resources.
High property prices (Social Par%cipa%on) Recent news on high property prices has made me worried and afraid that I will not be able to afford one in the near future. Furthermore, the difficulty of geZng one unit has made me even more weary of it. This en;re process of purchasing a flat seems long and ;resome.
Wet Market In the near future, youth might not be able to experience what a wet market is like. In fact, many of my friends have not been to a wet market in years. Thus, they have no idea how fishes are cleaned, scales are removed, or how chickens are slaughtered. In supermarkets, these processes are normally done behind closed doors. With more closure of wet markets, it will lead to youths being ignorant of all these.
GeUng involved in Poli%cs Youths are geZng more involved in poli;cs. We want to have a voice and to be heard in the poli;cal scene. Perhaps, as we grow older, we realise and understand the importance of policies and that these policies will eventually have an impact on us. Thus, we want to play a part when policy makers are craAing out various policies. This will also allow us to gain some self-‐awareness and perhaps, to have some stakes in this country we called home.