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speaking up for nature in singapore
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on youths of singapore to speak up PM's call on youths | list of all articles speak up for nature: why bother? | what others have spoken | feedback channels The Straits Times, 21 Aug 04 Post-65ers: Which type are you? By Laurel Teo The post-independence generation is now in the spotlight as the nation's leaders call on them to make a difference. Who are they? What do they care about and how will they respond to this call? Insight takes a snapshot of this group and six people who represent different sections of it AS THE post-independence generation comes of age, it has been put under the microscope increasingly. Time and again, especially over the past decade, Singaporeans born after 1965 have been questioned about their grasp of the country's history, their values, sense of belonging and commitment to society, even their ruggedness. How much do they know? How much do they care? And how much will they give of themselves to make this a better place? As Singapore undergoes a leadership change this month that reflects the generational shift in society, there is a greater sense of urgency to engage this younger group and get them to take on the mantle of their elders. One reason for that urgency is demographic. They now make up more than half - 55 per cent - of the population. Going by Census 2000, there were 2.97 million citizens that year, which suggests there are over 1.64 million post-65 Singaporeans. In urging them to join the political process and play a more active part in determining the country's future, Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said at a grassroots event on Aug 7: 'They cannot take the attitude of leaving the job to others, because if everyone thinks this way, there will be no one capable to do the job.' Five days later, Mr Lee Hsien Loong's swearing-in speech as Prime Minister also called on the post-65ers to step forward to make a difference. By inserting 'youth' into the newly-expanded Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, PM Lee has also signalled clearly his government's seriousness in reaching out to this group. But who are these post-independence Singaporeans? In 1996, then-prime minister Goh Chok Tong described them in his National Day Rally speech as being too absorbed with their own 'promotions, houses and holidays', and not concerned enough about the common good. A recent survey based on 2000 figures released by the Department of Statistics gives a snapshot of the lives of those born in 1965, who turn 39 this year. More than half are better educated than their parents. More than 60 per cent had at least secondary-school education, whereas their parents had only primary-school education. By the time they hit 30, two in three were already living in four-room Housing Board or larger flats, or in private property. One in two holds an executive job - as a managers or business professional. Forty-four per cent have higher-skilled jobs than their parents. Those born in 1965 earned an average of $2,600 a month in 2000, higher than the national average of $2,200. In terms of values, the post-65ers have often been accused of being materialistic, 'soft' and self-centred. But it is unfair to lump them under such a monolithic description. As these six profiles suggest, there are different groups. First, there is a big group who are socially conscious and involved in volunteer work. As early as 1996, an informal poll by The Straits Times of seven welfare bodies showed that one in three who volunteered there regularly was aged 30 or under - born after 1965. This year, an official survey by the National Volunteering and Philanthropy Centre shows that these post-65ers, aged 15-39, make up almost two in three (64.3 per cent) of the 440,000 volunteers.Among the socially engaged, some are involved in volunteer work in Singapore, while others choose to make a difference abroad. Second, there's another group who are struggling to make ends meet. About one in three of those born in 1965 had less than secondary-school qualifications. Their median monthly wage in 2000 was $1,630. Of this lot, there are some like Ms Joanne Tng, 29, who are financially needy. Third, there's a large group that's socially and politically apathetic. A Straits Times survey last year found that one in two of those aged 15 to 24 thought politics was 'not too important'. They rated family, religion and service to others as important, but not politics. When it comes to the call to shape their future, post-65ers will have different responses. The socially engaged ones point out they are already doing their bit working with troubled youths in Singapore or orphans in Cambodia - but they just do not see themselves stepping forward in politics. The bo chap ('don't care') Singaporeans and those struggling to make ends meet just want to get on with their daily lives of work and family, and do not really want to be involved in anything else. Engaging this generation requires different strategies. For the socially engaged, the challenge is to channel their idealism into public affairs. For the indifferent, the challenge is to get them to take part in some civic activity beyond their families. |
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