world in balance

Regardless of the rise or fall in human population, the society and economics of
a country will definitely feel the impact of such changes.

With the rise in human population, there will be more demands like more jobs
will need to be generated for the young workforce. However, economic problems
arise when the country is unable to meet the demand. For example India is unable
to keep pace with its growing population in creating six million new jobs a year.
The situation of unemployment in India is thus made worsen with youths joining the workforce jobless.

Eventually, this leads to social problems like poverty and increasing crime rates.The poor are forced to steal or rob so as to survive in today’s world. They are trapped in a poverty cycle as their children are unable to receive sufficient education thus having little or no skills for jobs with higher pay. Hence, socio-economic problems occurred due to the increase of human population.

The fall in human population results in the lack of young workers in the workforce. As the population of the old increase in the country, there will be a strain on the economy as there are insufficient young workers to generate enough revenue for the welfare of the elderly. Hence, the country may lack the resources and money to build necessary infrastructure like old folks’ home for the old. The social impact, in this case, is that the elderly in the country may not be well taken care of.

Besides that, it is also to note that the country suffering from a fall in human population may not be generating as much revenue as they could if there is a younger workforce. There are also fewer consumers with a drop in human population. This means that there is less business targeted for the younger age groups. Eventually, this affects the welfare of the elderly as less revenue means that there is less measures to take care of them since the country is unable to afford it.

young investors in the money market?

article: Savvy young investors in the money market by Tessa Wong, The Straits Time 2 july 2007

There is a growing number in teens as young as secondary students to the early 20s who are getting involved in financial trading. They handle real money with sums as large as $200,000 as investments. There are definitely advantages and disadvantages of youths getting involved in financial trading since they are mostly inexperienced youths who hardly have enough working experience to be able to make the best decision when comes to financial management. However, I am giving my full hundred percent support for youths getting involved in financial trading.

Many got their capital from their parents who supported them in their involvement in the financial market. They believe that their children are able to handle the money wisely and most importantly, learning life skills and experience as they trade in the financial market. As mentioned by Mr Tan Choon Hwa, father of the teen, Ace, “He (Ace) will learn life skills and god finance management.” It is undeniable that youths do earn life experience as they encounter difficulties or make hard decisions during their trade. As they learn and eventually make up a choice, the youths will learn some skills or values that they pick up along the way. This adds up to their life experience that may help them in their future work.
However, it is to note that the youths are handling with real money and are trading in the financial market. This is no child’s play and with every investment comes along risks. Thus, the youths need to be guided and be given advice for their decision. Some may have their family members who have experience in the trading world to act as their mentors. For those who are not so fortunate, they are still able to receive help from clubs or associations. Foe example, I-cube is an association formed last year by Singapore’s three universities’ investment clubs. It organizes financial literacy events for students from secondary schools, junior colleges and polytechnics. Thus, with the availability of sources to teach the youths and advising them on making the wise choice, why should we discourage the youths from learning financial management early?

Article: Students with average grades grab chance to shine by Jane Ng, The Straits Times 22 June 07.

In 2004, the Education Ministry allowed the NUS and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to set their own admission criteria for up to 10% of their students. This allows students that are unable to earn a place in the universities with their grades, yet have performed exceeding well in other areas.

I believe that such an allowance provides more opportunities for the average students to excel as well as an A-grade student could. As tertiary education is not only about being book-smart, average students who have other strengths of their own that may in turn be helpful for the course that they are studying. For example, Mr. Han Weiding, 22, a second-year NTU student was admitted to NTU through the discretionary admission. His experiences in writing competitions during his secondary school days are helpful in his studying of journalism. Thus, it is certain that the discretionary admission helps to discover a pool of average students that have hidden talents that makes them as competitive as an A-grade student.

In addition, discretionary admission also prevents Singapore from losing average students who can be accomplished. For example, before the discretionary admission was allowed, Miss Penny Tan failed to get into NUS and decided to stay in Britain’s University of Leicester after she secured a place there. She is now studying medicine and prepares herself in becoming a doctor. Singapore hence lost an individual who can contribute positively to Singapore. Moreover, there is more than one such student like Miss Penny Tan in Singapore. Undeniably, Singapore will be at the losing end if steps fail to be taken in keeping these talents. Thus, with discretionary admission, Singapore will be able to keep promising students that may not be performing academically well. It eventually benefits Singapore’s economy in future. Thus, I strongly support the discretionary admission.

commentary

http://innerv0ice.blogspot.com/2007/05/in-view-of-global-warming-many.html

I do not agree that Singapore can go car-less. Instead, Singapore can try to cut down the number of cars in the country.

It is not possible for Singapore to go car-less as there are a portion of the population that need private cars so that it is more accessible for them to reach places in the country. For example, my father need to travel to many different places in a day due to work. Thus, having a private car is undeniably more convienent than waiting ten to thirty minutes at the bus stop or train station for public transport. Of course, some may suggest taking a cab. However, it is not possible to take a cab everytime as the fees are high.

Though Singapore is not able to go car-less, we should still try to reduce the numbers. Besides reviewing the car ownership, the government should also educate the public in taking public transport over private cars. More canpiagns like 'no-car days' should be organised and perhaps getting more public members involved in such campaigns. In addition, the public should be kept informed about the present situation of global warming. This can be done through putting up the newst information regading global warming on the notice board at the basement of the flats. Not only that, the young should also be educated so that they are more aware of global warming and contribute by going green. Besides studying the causes of global warming and the consequences of it, the school should engage the students in how to conribute in controlling global warming. Through this, the students can be encouraged to take public transport instead of private cars and other ways of reducing carbon dioxide emission or preventing the further worserning of global warming could be taught.

freedom of expression- should it be limited or more should be stressed on social responsibility?

I believe that Singapore should adopt freedom of expression whereby more focus is placed on social responsibility.

Singapore is a multi-racial society where sensitive issues like minority rights are dealt with great caution. Thus, freedom of speech in Singapore should be one that emphasise on social responsibility. Citing the publishing of the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad incident, conflicts would arise if the media in Singapore were to publish such cartoons. Muslims in Singapore may feel that they were being discriminated against, resulting in resistive movements from the muslin community. Besides that, wrong information may be brought across to the younger generation, thinking that making insensitive remarks to sensitive issues is all right. Eventually, having such a mind set will lead to the problem of the young not able to get along well with people from other races or religions.

As raised by Singer, “ We must be free…to criticize the teachings of Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, and Buddha, as reported in many texts that millions of people regarded as sacred. Without that freedom, human progress will always run up against a basic roadblock.” I do agree that necessary discussions should be done in questioning the beliefs of the people. However, there is a limit to what can be said in such discussions. In a cultural and religious pluralism society, great caution should be taken in terms of discussing such sensitive issues. An intentional remark may spark off conflicts with ugly consequences. There should be a limit to the doubts raised when discussing such issues as the use of wrong words can easily offence another community. One should be responsible for their comments and ensure that they do not over criticize one community or make offensive remarks to certain community if such issues were to be discussed.
In conclusion, freedom of expression in Singapore should come along with social responsibility to maintain peace among all communities.

Any form of punishment that is effective in maintaining law and order is justified. Do you agree?

In hope to maintain effective law and order, different form of punishment is introduced. However, it does not mean that any form of punishment that is effective in maintaining law and order is justified.

Some form of punishment is not justified, as they are inhuman. For example, the use of torture to get information from prisoners is a form of punishment that is never justified. One of the infamous torture treatments is the torture used on the prisoners by Japanese soldiers during World War 2. Hot iron bars scalded prisoners or a hose is placed in their mouth and water was forced into their stomach. Often the prisoners suffer from physical torture, resulting in deaths of many. The prisoners’ lives were put at risk so as to gain information of other suspects or to force the prisoners to confess to crimes that they commit. The public condemns such inhumane treatment as though the prisoners may commit a crime yet they should not suffer from punishments that jeopardise their life. Therefore, any form of punishment that is effective in maintaining law and order is not justified.
In addition, some form of punishment is immoral. A young child is taught to value life and respect all forms of living. If a young child is able to practice that, the more should the educated officials deciding the form of punishment to be seen carrying out such morally right behaviour. Using the use of torture as an example, the use of punishment is not justified in this case as one’s life is put at risk or even seen as invaluable. It is morally wrong as one was treated unfairly and cruelly. Moreover, a person’s life is definitely more precious than gaining information from the prisoner.

early NS enlistment as punishment for youth offender

article : early NS enlistment for some youth offenders by Tracy Sua, the straits time 19 may.

Male youth offenders aged between 16 and 18 may get enlisted in to NS earlier. This is another form of punishment for youth offenders as it is believe that by enlisting the youth offenders earlier, it will bring some form discipline into their lives at early stage. However, early enlistment to NS is mostly for youth offenders in probation. Those with more serious offences and judged by the court to need reformative training are not offered early enlistment.

Form my perspective, earlier enlistment to NS will offer better discipline to the youth that committed small offences and change their behaviour. In this way, early enlistment to NS will also achieve the aim of helping the youth offenders in having a more positive attitude and behaviour. It is known to all that NS training is tough and it requires strict discipline. Thus, the youths are able to receive better discipline and help to shape them into a better person.

Besides that, early enlistment to NS may be more efficient than other ways of punishment. For example, serving nine months in a hostel may not have a better impact in changing the character of the offenders than receiving training in NS. The discipline training from these two places differs greatly thus affecting how much impact it leaves on the youth offenders’ character and behaviour.