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Singapore's youth upbeat, survey shows
They believe there are ample opportunities to achieve their goals
By Tham Yuen-C & Daryl Chin
YOUNG but not restless. Indeed, strong family support and their belief that there is an abundance of opportunities here have made young people happy and contented, according to survey results just released.
Not only that, they are also more satisfied than those surveyed five years ago.
The main findings of the National Youth Council survey released yesterday painted this positive picture and also shed light on what is on the minds of those aged 15 to 34.
The survey results are published in a book called YOUTH.sg: The State Of Youth In Singapore 2010.
The 15- to 34-year-olds made up 21.6 per cent of Singapore's population of 4,987,600 in 2009.
Into its third instalment, the survey, commissioned by the National Youth Council (NYC), interviewed 1,268 Singaporeans and permanent residents last year.
Researchers said young people have shed some angst, compared to findings in the 2005 survey. They now feel a greater sense of well-being, a result of being happier and more satisfied with their lives.
A key reason is their belief that there are ample opportunities to achieve their goals, with more than 90 per cent of the respondents feeling this way.
Those with demanding but supportive parents were more satisfied and confident in their own future, the survey found.
Differentiating such parents from the very hands-on 'tiger mums' recently highlighted in the news, Professor Ho Kong Chong, vice-dean of research at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and one of the book's co-authors, said the crucial difference may lie in the degree in which parents back up their kids' endeavours.
The strong correlation between family support and well-being also made young people more family-oriented. Despite busy schedules, they were spending more time with their loved ones compared to five years ago.
Some 40 per cent of those surveyed said they spend more than 10 hours a week with their parents, compared to 25 per cent in 2005. Take the case of Bobby Lee, 23, an undergraduate at NUS, who gives the thumbs up to family time. 'The more I live, the more I realise I have more to learn from my parents. And it's also to show my gratitude to them for raising me.'
Their traditional views also extended to marriage, with more than 83 per cent indicating they believed in it.
The survey also debunked the image of the young idealist and found that young people are largely pragmatic. Across all age groups, those surveyed said their top four life goals were strong family relationships, successful careers, acquiring new skills and knowledge, and earning lots of money.
But Dr Ho Kong Weng, who wrote the chapter on the well-being of youth, cautioned that 'the pursuit of success and money might not bring real well-being'.
He is an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Young people here have also become more vocal, thanks in part to the Internet. Half of those surveyed had expressed views on matters of public and global concern, compared to 24 per cent in 2005. Most of this was done online on blogs, forums and social networking sites.
Cyberspace also allowed them to be more actively involved with interest groups and welfare organisations.
But with much of the interaction done online, there were fewer opportunities to take on leadership roles such as being the captain of a football team or a student counsellor.
The percentage involved in leadership fell to 11 per cent from 22 per cent in 2005.
Commenting on the findings, Mr Koh Peng Keng, director of the NYC, said: 'However the youths are doing...you always think that youths can do better. But if you look at even just academic achievement alone, youths are already doing a lot better than before.'
Echoing that view is Mr Low Eng Teong, principal of Victoria School, who was at the book's launch: 'We have to give more credit to our young people.'
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[email protected]
They believe there are ample opportunities to achieve their goals
By Tham Yuen-C & Daryl Chin
YOUNG but not restless. Indeed, strong family support and their belief that there is an abundance of opportunities here have made young people happy and contented, according to survey results just released.
Not only that, they are also more satisfied than those surveyed five years ago.
The main findings of the National Youth Council survey released yesterday painted this positive picture and also shed light on what is on the minds of those aged 15 to 34.
The survey results are published in a book called YOUTH.sg: The State Of Youth In Singapore 2010.
The 15- to 34-year-olds made up 21.6 per cent of Singapore's population of 4,987,600 in 2009.
Into its third instalment, the survey, commissioned by the National Youth Council (NYC), interviewed 1,268 Singaporeans and permanent residents last year.
Researchers said young people have shed some angst, compared to findings in the 2005 survey. They now feel a greater sense of well-being, a result of being happier and more satisfied with their lives.
A key reason is their belief that there are ample opportunities to achieve their goals, with more than 90 per cent of the respondents feeling this way.
Those with demanding but supportive parents were more satisfied and confident in their own future, the survey found.
Differentiating such parents from the very hands-on 'tiger mums' recently highlighted in the news, Professor Ho Kong Chong, vice-dean of research at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and one of the book's co-authors, said the crucial difference may lie in the degree in which parents back up their kids' endeavours.
The strong correlation between family support and well-being also made young people more family-oriented. Despite busy schedules, they were spending more time with their loved ones compared to five years ago.
Some 40 per cent of those surveyed said they spend more than 10 hours a week with their parents, compared to 25 per cent in 2005. Take the case of Bobby Lee, 23, an undergraduate at NUS, who gives the thumbs up to family time. 'The more I live, the more I realise I have more to learn from my parents. And it's also to show my gratitude to them for raising me.'
Their traditional views also extended to marriage, with more than 83 per cent indicating they believed in it.
The survey also debunked the image of the young idealist and found that young people are largely pragmatic. Across all age groups, those surveyed said their top four life goals were strong family relationships, successful careers, acquiring new skills and knowledge, and earning lots of money.
But Dr Ho Kong Weng, who wrote the chapter on the well-being of youth, cautioned that 'the pursuit of success and money might not bring real well-being'.
He is an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Young people here have also become more vocal, thanks in part to the Internet. Half of those surveyed had expressed views on matters of public and global concern, compared to 24 per cent in 2005. Most of this was done online on blogs, forums and social networking sites.
Cyberspace also allowed them to be more actively involved with interest groups and welfare organisations.
But with much of the interaction done online, there were fewer opportunities to take on leadership roles such as being the captain of a football team or a student counsellor.
The percentage involved in leadership fell to 11 per cent from 22 per cent in 2005.
Commenting on the findings, Mr Koh Peng Keng, director of the NYC, said: 'However the youths are doing...you always think that youths can do better. But if you look at even just academic achievement alone, youths are already doing a lot better than before.'
Echoing that view is Mr Low Eng Teong, principal of Victoria School, who was at the book's launch: 'We have to give more credit to our young people.'
[email protected]
[email protected]
