# data[].attributes.body
Societal Issue:

Lack of Sexual education in Singapore

Link:

https://www.bbc.com/news/education-38967856

Personal Stand:

There should be more sexual education in our schools. We don’t get educated enough on the vulnerabilities of Sexual conduct, which not only leads to more young adults catching STI’s but also to us not knowing what the signs of an abusive relationship is along with what would fully classify as sexual assault.

Sex is always seen as this taboo and uncomfortable topic, but if we don’t breach this “taboo” stigma, young adults will never have the courage to step forward and discuss these things forever blinded to an extent on the rights and wrongs.

Theme:

Educate to start a conversation.

# data[].attributes.body
1.     Societal Issue: Relevance of Marriage in the World today

2.     https://medium.com/personal-growth/does-marriage-even-make-sense-anymore-70e10f4d8c18

3.     Personal Stand: In Catholicism, Marriage is considered a sacrament that transcends the physical world and bounds two people before God. Most marriages in the earlier periods of time were less about “love” and more on “transactions” between kingdoms and empires.

Both of these beliefs may or may not be shared by the people of this century, but Marriage, at its core, is a long-term commitment that must be taken seriously.

4.     Universal Theme: A commitment is a promise. Be sure you want to keep it before making that promise.

# data[].attributes.body
Social Issue: Child abuse

Link: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spike-in-child-abuse

Personal Stand: I think there should be more awareness about child abuse not only in Singapore, but in other parts of the world. In Singapore alone, there is an alarming increase of child abuse cases over the years. I care about this issue because I believe no child should experience any form of abuse. More people should be taught how to detect, report and manage child abuse cases.

Universal theme: Be compassionate towards everyone

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/catholics-urged-to-reject-repeal-of-section-377a

https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/objection-to-377a-not-about-religion-but-about-what-repealing-could-lead-to

In the article above (and many similar articles), the comments show a clear discrimination against the LGBT community. Many associate the repeal of 377a with allowing them to commit sexual assault, paving the way for legalizing bestiality, etc. People in the LGBT community should have equal rights as other citizens and should be treated equally. It is stated in our pledge that Singaporean society should be one without discrimination, and everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, language or religion, yet 377A so blatantly criminalizes a large community. We should not neglect the rights of the LGBT community (a minority group), to please the majority. The fact that it’s a taboo topic destroys any room for discussion—which only serves to misinform and reinforce the misunderstandings of a large group of people.

People are free to love who they love, and should not be discriminated for it.

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ready4repeal-section-377a-townhall-anti-gay-law-10773704

Stand: I think that the law should be removed because not only is it sexist, it is homophobic and disrespectful to so many people. It is a law that discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community and the men in that community as well. I am even more outraged that there were people supporting the law to begin with.

Theme: Love should have no boundaries.

# data[].attributes.body
1. People with special needs

2. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sporeans-dont-walk-the-talk-on-special-needs-kids

3. I feel that many people are not accepting of people with special needs in Singapore. I believe so because of my friends personal experiences. I have a good friend from secondary school who has mild aspergers, and is very smart academically. However, as she takes longer to warm up to people, people found her weird and a freak. I also have a friend from polytechnic, and we were in the same gen ed class together. He shared with me that he couldn’t cope well in a mainstream kindergarten, and was always misunderstood by his peers. Being an SP peer supporter myself, I hear stories from many of my other peer supporters about how, while there has been improvements in helping those with special needs, they face many challenges socially. To me, these people are different, but not worth less. I feel more people should step out of their comfort zone and get to know these people better.

4. People should change their mindset towards people with special needs, and be more accepting.

# data[].attributes.headline
Families not accepting their queer children

# data[].attributes.subject
Families not accepting their queer children

# data[].attributes.body
·      Families not accepting that their child is queer

·      https://sg.theasianparent.com/singaporean-mum-reveals-son-just-told-hes-gay/

·      Asian families are often less accepting when they find out that their children are part of the LGBT+ community. We often hear from our Asian mothers that they look forward to their children finding a partner of the opposite sex and dismissing it when their child comes out to them, saying that “this is just a phase” or saying “you will eventually find a girl you like” to their gay son.

·      Blood is thicker than water, why let that bond be broken just because someone in the family is queer?

# data[].attributes.headline
Stigma against (individuals with) Mental Health issues

# data[].attributes.subject
Stigma against (individuals with) Mental Health issues

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/many-still-steer-clear-of-people-with-mental-illness-poll

Personal Stand:
As society become more aware about mental illnesses, people should be taught more to stand against the stigma, instead of becoming part of it out of ignorance.

Many of us are unconsciously feeding into the stigma because we're not educated on what mental illnesses really are like, and as a result misconceptions continue to spread and affect individuals who have mental illnesses.

Universal Theme:
We should learn to love and accept people, regardless of who they are, where they come from or what they struggle with. / Don't judge a book by its cover.

# data[].attributes.body
Link: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-replies/2018/0312-action-taken-in-cases-of-workplace-discrimination

I think that older employees in the workforce should not be discriminated.

Theme: Media Has Too Much Influence on Us

In today’s media, there has been many stereotypes surrounding the elderly, thus, younger employers and bosses will usually base them off these stereotypes such as being slow, stupid or useless. Not only has media stereotyped the elderly, it has also stereotyped the young to be more knowledgeable and ‘macho’. This has unfortunately given the young more authority over the old, which is wrong.

Theme: Our Age Does Not Define Our Talents

Many people associate the elderly to be slow and clumsy, however, that does not reflect on every elderly person on earth. With age, they can also achieve as much as the younger people. As for the younger people, it does not necessarily mean that we are much more talented too. There are more elderly people out there who are so much more talented. We should not let stereotypes get in our way.

# data[].attributes.body
Does canning help improve school environment

https://www.corpun.com/counsgs.htm

Yes. Canning is usually conducted when a student breaks a school rule. For those who misbehave or cause trouble to other students, canning is an effective way to maintain order and ensure safety in schools.

Theme: Everyone deserves to feel safe, regardless of gender, race and religion.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/drug-courier-gets-death-penalty-after-escaping-gallows-last-year

I find that the death penalty is really stupid at times. I do not think that someone should be executed for drug trafficking.
The guy was actually trying to save his daughter (medical bills). He didn't have money.

To me, I follow the logic of ‘an eye for an eye’. If the person has committed absolutely horrendous acts like several murders or raping children. I am all for the death penalty.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, you have to listen to both sides of the story before passing judgement on someone. We have all been a victim of circumstance.

# data[].attributes.body
Having a child is a big responsibility as it is the act of bringing new life into the world. There should be responsibility when bringing a child, and not to leave it to someone else. More so in Singapore; a fast paced society. I have heard of so much domestic abuse, parental neglect, stress and expectations from parent
and overall questionable parenting. It's is very rare to come across someone who is happy with their family.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/death-of-boy-11-who-fell-17-floors-after-failing-his-exams-for-the-first-time

My stand is that Newlyweds should be committed and educated on parenting before settling down to have a child.

Be responsible, loving, and play a part in your family

# data[].attributes.body
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/abortion/legal/when_1.shtml

3.
Majority of abortions take place in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the fetus at that point in time is not regarded as a human being, merely a clump of cells with the potential to develop into a human being. Thus my stand is that women should be allowed the right of choosing to have an abortion as it is her body, and fundamentally the fetus does not have any human rights before it develops into a human being.

4.
Abortion is a woman's right.

# data[].attributes.body
Class Divide in Singapore

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0754/0317/files/This_Is_What_Inequality_Looks_Like_Sample_Pages.pdf

I care deeply about this issue because I witness this everyday. Though I belong to neither the higher or lower income, I feel uncomfortable when I see the contrasting behaviours of the two groups in the same space. It especially unfair how Singaporean children of different classes go to schools of clearly different ‘standards’ because of their financial standing, even though local school fees are the same. This affects growth and development, social standing and also job opportunities when they grow up. No child did anything wrong or right to be born into the class they are in.

THEME:
Everybody deserves the same opportunities, regardless of class.

# data[].attributes.body
https://hagar.org.sg/human-trafficking-in-singapore/

https://www.facebook.com/EmancipAsia/posts/1062787703834087

3. When Singaporeans think about human trafficking, we think about other countries like China. The elites of Singapore (the working class, the rich), when given the opportunity to help, go to overseas countries or care only for the construction workers/ Bangladeshi workers when there are so many others who are affected.

"Singapore is a popular transit point and destination hub for trafficking activities, where women and girls are trafficked into the country for sexual or labour exploitation."

Singaporeans, especially the equipped youth, should do something to help those who are being exploited and stop those who are exploiting. Many Singaporeans are also unaware that what we do daily (like shopping on TaoBao) affects those who are being exploited in China.

4. Think smaller, do bigger / The first step is empathy.

# data[].attributes.body
Losing Culture

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/why-it-matters-ep-6-disappearing-traditions

Question: When Singapore suddenly became independent in 1965, what did its leaders talk about incessantly?

Problems with Malaysia? Economic survival? Racial harmony?

All of the above? Yes, but there was an underlying theme, a common thread binding them together. You might not know it and it wasn't obvious at the time.

The Singapore identity they conceived was this: It was a newly independent country, vulnerable because it had no natural resources and was situated among hostile neighbours, with a multiracial people completely dependent on the outside world for a living. Even the water from its taps came from a foreign country. So it had to find a way of being open and relevant to the world, the people had to be exceptionally hard-working, organised and disciplined with a strong leadership. There was no other way. Work hard, stay united or perish.

Everything else flowed from this identity. Then, when Singapore became more developed and successful, the focus on identity disappeared.

Whatever the reason, I think the result is that Singaporeans are less clear about their identity as a nation.

Perhaps this is inevitable as Singapore society is no longer as homogeneous as it used to be, there are more interest groups, the class divide is growing and the Internet and social media have enabled people to assume multiple identities beyond the traditional categories of race, language and religion.

So, what is the identity Singaporeans would be comfortable with and which would define the Singapore they want now and in the future?

I believe the answer is less clear today than it was 52 years ago.

# data[].attributes.body
1.    Societal issue: In Singapore, education is over-emphasized which puts a lot of pressure on the youth these days. Many people think that good education will guarantee a bright future.

2.    Article: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/study-linked-stress-a-growing-concern

3.    Personal stand: Education is not everything.

4.    Education and the right amount of pressure will push someone to go far. But if there is too much pressure, it takes away the essence of learning and education will be like one big race. There should be no winning or losing when it comes to learning, it should be an enriching experience where one can learn at their own pace.

# data[].attributes.body
Sources: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/more-children-and-teens-are-stressed-out

https://www.salon.com/2018/02/10/why-millennials-are-making-memes-about-wanting-to-die/

Stand: I think that society should shine a spotlight more on the mental health issues teens are facing, not just from studies. In school, a myriad of expectations are placed on us. From the Straits Times, in 2016,  a Primary 5 pupil fell 17 floors from his bedroom window on the day he was supposed to take his exam papers home. He had never fared poorly in his examinations from Primary 1 to 4, and scored an average of 70 marks. If he scored less than that, his mother would cane him. However, this round, he failed Mathematics and Higher Chinese, which shows that too much stress can lead to irreversible consequences.

We must also look at other factors influencing their way of thinking—for example, the internet. The internet is a minefield, and as the world becomes more mobile-oriented, research has shown that chances of having poor mental health get higher. Cindy Toh, psychologist, says: "With the amount of time we spend fixated on our screens and the unfolding of others' best versions of their lives posted up, it is likely for us to get caught up in upward social comparisons, which could impact us negatively in the areas of self-esteem, acceptance, anxiety, and even lowered mood and depression."

Theme: We should make more effort to address mental health in youth, especially in this day and age, as well as lend a hand to those who need support.

# data[].attributes.body
Social Issue: Maid abuse is still prevalent in Singapore.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/jail-for-woman-who-nearly-blinded-maid

Personal stand: Maids should be treated properly, paid on time as they are also humans

Theme: Maids are equal and deserve to be treated with respect. Employers should not abuse their power just because the maids are hired to help with house chores.

# data[].attributes.body
Elderly unable to keep up with technology

www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/commuters-upbeat-but-is-it-downhill-for-taxicabs

With the introduction fo Grab, more commuters use the app because of it’s convenience but it has caused losses for the taxi industry. A lot of taxi drivers have moved to Grab for 2 reasons, more customers and the car rental is cheaper than renting a taxi. However, what about the elderly taxi drivers who are not tech-saavy enough to navigate Grab and is stuck with the traditional way of Taxis? Not only do they have less customers but the pay more for the rental of taxis and these elderly usually needs this job to support themselves. There needs to be a way to help them cope with this issue

Elderly falling off behind the digital age