What
is
Photovoice?
Photovoice is a participatory action research method which uses photographic images to draw attention to social issues. However, instead of an outsider’s perspective, participants take photos that highlight issues surrounding their own community and share the experience with others.
Background
of
the
project
The Photovoice project is a new initiative by National Youth Council (NYC) to understand more about the youth community. In addition to existing statistics, the photovoice project would be a valuable source of data regarding youths. The visual representation of the project would also be an alternative form of data from the current statistics.
Methodology In the following pages, a series of photos taken by 3 youths from their own perspective would be showcased. The 3 youths travel around Singapore individually and capture images that they deem would represent their current worries and concerns. The photos are primarily focused on 3 main themes; youth well-being, social support and social participation. Each youth has chosen 5 representative photos for each theme.
Youth #1 Hello! I am Michelle, a 21 year old undergraduate at National University of Singapore. I would say that I am the average Singaporean girl next door that grew up in a middle class family. The following photos show some of my current concerns as a student and a citizen of Singapore. Although the photos may seem to reflect a lot of problems, I would like to say that there are also parts of Singapore that I do like and appreciate!
Wellbeing
Identity search In fast paced Singapore, I feel that we do not have much time to explore our dreams and passion. A majority of my peers, and myself included, are often at a loss as to which career path to pursue following graduation. More opportunities for us to learn about various career paths in Singapore and identifying 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 attending tuition classes. Although education is important, I feel that it is too highly emphasized in Singapore, often 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 opportunities 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 Sengkang Community Centre and I often see students from all ages studying together. I think such places is also a good platform for students from all walks of life to interact.
Expectations 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 fertility 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 population Everyone will eventually grow old. As we are growing up, our parents are growing old as well. I hope to be capable of letting them retire early and enjoy their golden years. Other than financially supporting them, I also wish to spend time with them. However, the current situation is that many elderly are working beyond retirement ages and their children are too busy working.
Support for migrants The recent events of the Little India riot has shed light on the living conditions of migrant workers in Singapore. I feel that Singaporeans often overlook the importance of these migrant workers who leave their families behind to build houses and buildings for us. Thus I think the new initiative to provide migrant workers with entertainment facilities should definitely be supported.
Kampung spirit I feel that Singaporeans always seem to be in a rush and thus appear cold and distant. The majority of us live in HDB flats which share a wall with our neighbours yet, we often 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 Westerners and often want to be like them. This leads to them neglecting their Mother Tongue which is Mandarin. To me, one of the strengths of Singaporeans is 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 population. With the advancements in technology, it is now possible to make many parts of Singapore wheelchair-friendly. I think that other than public places, schools could also be made more wheelchair friendly thus allowing children, who are wheelchair bound but fit to attend school, the opportunity to attend a regular school.
Social Participation
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 better 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, they are often not utilized 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.
Active participation These notice boards are commonly seen at local community centres. Rather than joining expensive/exclusive clubs, I feel that youths would be better off joining these activities due to the exposure they will get from meeting people from different walks of life. Yet the stereotype of such activities being for elderly or kids makes it hard for youths to join. CCs should remarket themselves to attract more youths to join in their activities ď Š
A special canvas I think the establishment of the Esplanade is really a boost to the local arts scene. The picture above shows Speak Cryptic, aka Farizwan Fajari, a visual artist working on the walls along the passageway leading to the Esplanade. Even though I am not particularly interested in the arts, I find it encouraging that youths are given a proper platform to express and showcase their work.
Singaporean pride I feel that many of my peers, myself included, do not really support Singapore’s local talents/ productions. Singaporeans often seem to look down on local artistes thinking that they wont be able to make it big. I think local productions such as television dramas or local bands could do with more support and it would be nice to see Singaporeans supporting their fellow citizens.
Youth #2 Hi, I am Desmond. I am currently a 24 year old undergraduate and I am in my final year at National University of Singapore. I grew up in a middle class family and I love to travel because it exposes me to the different cultures and people. The following photos depict some of my current concerns and thoughts as a student and a fellow Singaporean. The photos and comments are just my own personal reflections and these are definitely subjective to other people. Growing up in Singapore and seeing many changes flashing by, I feel that it is a pity that some of the reminiscences are gone.
Wellbeing
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 utilize my CPF to make payments for the flat, at the end of the day I would still be saddled with housing debt. Home ownership is one of the concern in starting a family and if I am going to be spending the next few years paying off my housing debts, I believe it will be better to be financially stable before becoming a parent.
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 satisfaction would be better overseas as compared to the fast-paced and poor work-life balance here. Of course, perspective is always subjective. Sometimes, I feel that local talent is overshadowed and underappreciated in favour of the foreign talent, which is ingrained as “better�. I believe this is not often the case.
A “gateway� to progress? As Singapore continues its march towards economic progress, I feel that Singapore has become a playground for the rich. Despite the government implementing various measures to deal with the social inequality, it’s always the middle-income group that is sandwiched. If this is left unaddressed, social unrest will continue to rise. The repercussion of it will undermine what Singapore has achieved over the years.
Expecting too much? The traditional notion 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 differentiate myself from others. A degree is now just a qualification to be considered but not an entitlement to a career success.
Taking the next step Since young, everything has been marked out like getting a degree and going into the secure jobs such as engineering and medicine. As a result, there is this fear of uncertainty in taking the path less treaded because it means more inherent risks to it. I believe that this could be attributed to the notion 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 In the midst of pursuing a foothold in the future, I feel that this is at the expense of spending time with my family. Perhaps the limited amount of work-life balance culture in our workplace or even our society may be due to the fast-paced life here in Singapore. Tradition notion still exist that employees have to fulfill the working hours so that more can be completed. Quantity does not associate with quality and work is a neverending thing.
Ageing population 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 that they are keeping healthcare affordable, the increasing demand for healthcare due to the ageing population make this possibility seems bleak. In addition, I feel that the existing pool of medical support staff are taxed by the demand.
Segregation The xenophobic outcry against Philippinos celebrating their National Day in Singapore is uncalled for. Similar to us, these migrants are in need of an urban space, allowing themselves a sense of belonging. In order for social integration to work, mutual understanding and interaction has to be cultivated. Sometimes compromise is needed. Nationalistic sentiment is now a thing of the past.
Tolerance
With the recent condemnation of the Pink Dot event, I can’t help but question where has our longstanding mutual understanding gone to. I think it is audacious to enforce your personal ideals onto another person. The actions in discriminating individuals run contrary to the preached idea of social values. Driving a wedge and taking sides are never a solution to a problem. Morality is never black and white and history has proven that it is ever-changing.
National Pride As Singapore is embarking on its 50 years of independence, I am proud of what a small nation like Singapore has achieved. Nevertheless, I feel that national pride and having a sense of belonging should not be associated together. After all, I am proud to be a Singaporean yet at the time I feel a low sense of belonging with the emerging issues of high standard of living, coupled with low quality of life.
Social participation
Service learning goes both ways 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 the beneficiaries are more satisfied than us. As much as this may sound hypocritical, I feel that sometimes people have to experience the other side in order to feel appreciative. YEP has empowered me and even serve as future motivation for volunteering locally.
Leading an active lifestyle In the pursuit of career excellence, keeping an active lifestyle is also important. I am heartened by the fact that the government has implemented more facilities and increased more avenues for activities. These including kayaking, wakeboarding and many more. I see this as an opportunity for me to engage activities with my friends and family, and also keeping fit.
School is more than a place for learning Striking a balance between academics and lifestyle is important. I feel that there is an overemphasis of academics in Singapore. It has been so deeply entrenched since young that we were brought up with the notion that better grades will be the key to better quality of living. Moreover, I feel that grades are not a complete indicator of someone’s capabilities.
Grooming the next generation of local talent I believe that Singapore has its own share of local talent, be it in sports or in the arts. The insufficient support for local arts and sports is what some artists and sportsmen are claiming. Despite the government allocating funds for cultural activities in recent years, I believe that limited local audience support and the lack of proper communication in applying for these funds, along with bureaucratic red tape are the problems instead.
Having a political voice As much as I believe that having a voice is vital, what is equally important is the government themselves are listening and addressing the issues at hand. The growing distrust of the government, if left alone, will continue to spiral and shadow the future efforts of the next generation of political leaders. Sometimes by looking at the larger picture, we tend to overlook the minor issues, resulting in the current disconnection.
Youth #3 Hey there, I am Sylvester, a 25 year old undergraduate from the National University of Singapore. I love to be involved in the community and engage in conversations that are close to my heart. Besides that, I like to eat all kinds of food but exercising at the same time. In the following slides, there are photos depicting my personal feelings, comments and thoughts about a variety of issues in Singapore. Growing up in Singapore since young, it is interesting to note the changes made throughout. These little things may seem irrelevant to our life initially. But when you ponder about it, the impact and repercussions may surprise you.
Wellbeing
Can I go back in time? Opportunities are everywhere. Unfortunately, they aren’t easy to spot all the time. At times, I hope I could go back in time 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 in my childhood may seem good and organized at first. However, as I am transitioning into my adult life, I feel at a loss. What does the future hold for me? Who will be there supporting me 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 doors 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 think that happiness is closely linked to fame, power and money. Nowadays, when I achieve something that seemed valuable in the eyes of society, I wonder if I am genuinely happy.
National Pride A survey recently showed that more than half of Singaporeans would migrate overseas if given a choice. I am afraid that this is a sign of Singaporeans losing their national pride and identity. In the long run, our future generation might be in jeopardy as they may not have any identity to relate to.
Social Support
The fast-paced society In this fast-paced society, I hardly get any time to rest. In school, I will be overwhelmed by schoolwork and after graduation, I will be under pressure to join the workforce almost immediately. Once in the workforce, I will be tied up with work and responsibilities, which leave me no time for spiritual or any other type of personal development.
Getting married I feel that getting married is an expensive affair in Singapore and it comes with heavy responsibilities. These responsibilities come even before you say, ‘I do’. In recent years, couples have been applying for flats even before the marriage proposal. In addition to that, there are the wedding ceremony and traditional chinese banquet dinner to prepare for.
Too early to have children? Having children is not just an expensive affair, but a long-term investment. I will require huge capital at the initiate stage and will only reap what I sow after around 20 years, if at all. 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 after marriage.
Work-life balance More than half of the marriages in the United States will end in 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 priorities in life and unfortunately, forming a family is seldom among the top priorities.
Being kind and respectful to others Having worked with a number of youths, I feel that they are getting more outspoken and opinionated. Unfortunately, messages that they convey may seem inappropriate or even rude. This is unbecoming because attitude is the utmost important trait in day-to-day interaction with people.
Social Participation
Who is the beneficiary? As I am more involved in international community service, I often 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 multiracial society. However, in recent times, I still hear of insensitive comments made by youths towards different races. It seems that social integration among the different races is still 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 still regard education as more important than helping the less fortunate.
Do we still care for our environment? I find that youths are spending less time volunteering in environmentrelated 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 play 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.