How far do you agree that competition for resources is more challenging than xenophobia in a diverse society? You may refer to the SS notes / mind map link on the top of the Padlet Board for reference.

Factor 1: I agree F1 ( ) is a challenge.

Factor 2: I also agree F2 ( ) is a challenge.

Focus of Q:

Factor 2: I also agree competition for resources is a challenge. In a diverse society in Singapore, especially one with limited land, housing, jobs, or public services, competition for these resources can breed discontent. When people feel that another group of people is getting “more than their fair share,” tensions can rise regardless of whether their perceptions are accurate. For instance, in Singapore, the allocation of public housing or school placements can occasionally stir sensitive debates among different ethnic or socioeconomic groups. This challenge can be even more severe during economic downturns or crises, when resources become scarcer and every group feels the pressure to protect its interests.

Focus of Question: Which is more damaging, xenophobia or competition for resources?

I also agree F2 (Xenophobia) is a challenge. Xenophobia refers to the dislike or fear of foreigners. In diverse societies, some citizens may treat foreigners unfairly, stereotype them, or exclude them socially. This can lead to discrimination and even violence. For example, online comments made by insensible foreign workers in Singapore can worsen Xenophobia like Edz Ello´s comment which may create problems between races

factor of q : challenges of living in diverse society

I also agree that competition between locals and foreigners for jobs and housing is a hot button issue in Singapore and that it is a challenge. As this will cause social unrest with people treating other people badly making Singapore more aggressive and dangerous.

Focus of question: The challenges of living in a diverse society

I also agree that competition for natural resources in a diverse society is also a challenge. In a diverse society, there will be many different groups of people needing many different natural resources. As such, this may lead to lack of natural resources as there may not be provision of resources or money to afford or obtain so many different natural resources. This will lead to high competition between different groups, thus leading to different groups fighting and sowing discord in their quest for limited natural resources. This will ultimately impact the economy and cause discord and hate between different social groups.

I also agree that competition between locals and foreigners is a challenge. When citizens feel like getting a job or a house is becoming challenging due to competition with foreigners, people start to dislike foreigners. This causes social separation when citizens refuse to interact with foreigners. So, the lack of interaction between citizens and foreigners is a challenge in a diverse society. For example, Singapore has always had a housing issue. When the Government realized that there weren't sufficient houses built for the people, the government decided to build more affordable housing units, such as the BTO flats. However, due to the influx of foreigners, housing has become a competition, where citizens might not be able to afford a house due to the lack of funding for bidding. So, citizens become unhappier with the foreigners, which leads to social separation, which is detrimental to a diverse society.

I also agree that competition between resources is also a challenge in the diverse society today. Singaporean might be worried that foreigners would be competing with them over limited resources like job opportunities, public transport, and transportation. For example, a survey conducted in 2020 showed that Singaporeans have many concerns over job security and career opportunities have continued to be a source of anxiety for them, especially the unemployed. This would make them extremely worried that they would be unable to get a good job.

Focus of Q is the level of challenge xenophobia, and the competition of resources have on Singapre.

I also agree that competition for resourses is challenging in a diverse country. In a diverse country such as Singapore, jobs are limited as Singapore continually imports foerieners into our country, Most of these foreigners are talented individuals and take up all the high paying jobs in Singpore. Reducing the better jobs for the citizens themselves. For example in desll bpund job, SIngapore would tend to want the best employee and these are usually talented indivuduals from other countries. By prioritising foreign talent over citizens, this could lead to a employee unable to promote as the higher position is taken up. This is an example of competition of resources in Singapore. Thus to conclude I agree that Singapore faces this issue of competition for resources.

I also agree that xenophobia is a challenge for a diverse society because it creates tension between locals and foreigners, leading to social division.

For instance, during the covid19 pandemic, when foreign workers living in dormitories were disproportionately affected by the virus. Some Singaporeans unfairly blamed them for spreading covid leading to negative stereotypes and online hate.

This situation reflects how, in a diverse society, fear can quickly turn into discrimination against specific groups even if they are vulnerable or blameless. Instead of empathy, some citizens reacted with hostility, reinforcing negative stereotypes. Such attitudes make it harder to build social cohesion and trust, especially between locals and the foreign community.

I agree that xenophobia is a challenge. In a diverse society like Singapore's, there are many opportunities for people from different socio-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to interact with one another. However, differences in cultural backgrounds can sometimes lead to conflicting views on values, beliefs, practices and perspectives. These conflicting views can cause misunderstandings and unhappiness. This can then lead to negative sentiments, causing people to jump to conclusions about other. Inaccurate and insensitive judgements and comments are often made based on ignorance and wrong assumptions.

Factor 2: competition of resources

I agree that competition of resources is a challenge. The inflow of foreigners into Singapore is meant to meet Singapore's shortage of manpower due to its low fertility rate and ageing population. Therefore, Singaporeans are concerned about heightened competition with foreigners over limited resources. These resources include job opportunities and infrastructure such as public housing and transportation. The competition, whether real or perceived, has led to tensions, unhappiness and negative experiences among groups of people in country.

Extract3:I agree that competition for resources is a challenge in modern singapore.In a diverse society in Singapore, especially one with limited land, housing, jobs, or public services, competition for these resources can breed discontent. When people feel that another group of people is getting “more than their fair share,” tensions can rise regardless of whether their perceptions are accurate

Factor 2: I also agree that xenophobia is a challenge. Extract 2 states that Xenophobia refers to a ¨strong feeling of dislike or fear¨ of people coming from countries different from their own. This can lead to racism from locals against foreigners coming into the country looking for work. Additionally, ¨strong feeling¨ suggests that this feeling is not easily shaken, and this feeling perseveres throughout society, making this a challenge.

Focus of Qn: Does Xenophobia or competition of resources harm a diverse society more?

I also agree that competition for resources between locals and foreigners is a challenge. As reported by CNA, there are about 2 million top university graduates from China, and 95% of them cannot find jobs. Some even work as cleaners. While in Singapore, most graduates laze around at home, procrastinating to find work. This is a increasing problem to those singaporeans who are trying to find jobs as employers rather hire foreigners. This contributes to the fact that corporations and companies rather hire hardworking foreigners than hire singaporeans that laze around.

I also agree that Xenophobia is challenge of living in a diverse society. 'Xenophobia refers to a strong feeling of dislike or fear of people from other countries'. Some people do not want to interact with people from different backgrounds, people with different skin colour and people with different practices. Example, some Chinese in Singapore dislike Indians from India because of the distinct smell of their bodies which may smell bad to the Chinese. Also, Chinese think that the Indians in India are all very dirty and unhygienic, because they use the water that people shower in to cook and consume. The Chinese would not want to be close to them and will not want to interact with them. When people are judged mainly by their identity and not their real personality, it becomes harder to build an inclusive and harmonius community.