To start with, I think u current generation of young people have
changed from what i notice it is not the olden times any more in
the 80s. Girls tend to look at a guy's economic situation before
falling in love is the current complaint now. to say, i dont agree
on this fullheartedly nor disagree. it had existed since the days
of the merdeka but was not widespread because the society was
different back then. In my time, people were rather simplistic in
thinking. A few with different ideas made it big.
U have enjoyed the fruits of labour your forefathers who helped
shape up singapore. I can understand the current economic climate
but do not let it induce a paradigm shift- a change from one way of
thinking to another. It's a revolution, a transformation, a sort of
metamorphosis. It just does not happen, but rather it is driven by
agents of change. There was one from the 80s to 90s. During the 80s
and before people lived in kampongs and were the ones who migrated
to HDB estates. At the time the thinking of te majority was to grab
the opportunities of a rising Singapore. Everyone had equal
chances. During the kampong days , people were not so well to do
and as a result ties with friends and relatives were stronger. But
we also had problems in society like drug addiction among youths
and gangsterism. In those days u could survive with O levels and
educate your children by working as a taxi driver. We didnt have
internet and most of us stayed at home. We had more chances to
socialise around in the correct way unlike now where socialising
involves clubbing and other activites. In those days entertainment
meant playing soccer ,sepak takraw , watching WWF on TV or
meaningful activities inthe neighbourhood CC. A select few who
chose to stray got entangled in the void deck culture secret
society/KTV trends. They were very active in those days.
Somehow in the 90s people tend to think differently. Thats the
golden decade when more and more singaporeans became richer
quicker, became more fashionable and old ideas were dying out.
Remember the property boom in the mid 90s? Selling of HDB flats can
land u as much as 50K in the bank account. More people started
driving cars and quality of life had improved dramatically
especially in the early 90s. The clubbing and corporate scene was
vibrantly emerging. By the mid to late 90s most people could afford
to go to tertiary education. the mass introduction of the personal
computer and the internet during this period have impacted both
personal and business environments, and is a catalyst for the next
Paradigm Shift in the millenium .But along comes with the paradigm
shift some first signs of mild negative effects
It was also during this time that economy started to come into
problems. After the 2000 things changed to what u find in the
current time now. I dont know
why this happened or why the Singapore government had changed. gone
were those days when Mps would walk with residents. What i see now
from some websites where singaporeans air their views, there is
widespread discontentment and resentment towards the governtment
particularly among males. But it is good to know that people now
are more open minded unlike before. this is the paradigm shift that
u wish to see but not the expense of love and moral values. But as
always have faith, love and conviction always in your hearts and
importantly be truthful to yourself and others around u.
John
San Francisco, USA
