Chapter 6: What are the experiences and effects of living in a diverse society? Flashcards
What does common space mean?
Common space refers to common physical space (i.e. HDB void decks), common experiences (i.e. National Service) and common shared values (i.e. importance of family).
Common space is to promote more social interaction, collaboration and build national identity.
What is the purpose of common space?
Common space is to promote more social interaction, collaboration and build national identity.
Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) are…
The IRCCs are community inter-racial and inter-faith platforms that promote racial and religious harmony.
People’s Association (PA) promotes..
People’s Association (PA) promotes racial harmony and social cohesion, and to act as a bridge between government and people.
They organize many community programmes and volunteering opportunities for people.
What benefits are there to a diverse society?
1) Exchange and Appreciation of Culture (such as food, music and fashion)
2) Exchange of Skills and Knowledge
Prejudice and Misconceptions is a challenge faced in a diverse society. Why so?
Prejudice means “preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience”
People can have misconception about each other and this may result in negative stereotypes.
Example: There are some prejudices against foreign workers and this is also known as xenophobic.
Xenophobic means…
Xenophobic means to dislike or be prejudiced against people from another country.
One challenge in a diverse society is the competition for resources.
What is it about?
Singaporeans are concerned about the impact of foreigners over competition in EMPLOYMENT and AREAS OF LIVING SPACE.
Singaporeans are worried that higher paying jobs like the PMET are given to foreigners.
Singaporeans are unhappy that living space and infrastructure (such as transport (i.e. MRTs) because of issues like overcrowding.
One challenge in a diverse society is the concerns over social mobility.
What is it about?
There is an increase in income gap between lower and higher income group.
There’s decreasing number of jobs in manufacturing sector –> loss of jobs for low income –> less ability for low income people to progress to middle income.
What has the government done to help address employment concerns of Singaporeans?
Government has arranged for better workforce controls such as ensuring all companies to advertise their job vacancies in the Jobs Bank.
This will make sure that all Singaporeans get a chance to apply for these jobs.
What has the government done to help address concerns of Singaporeans about the competition of spaces?
Government has plans to
1) improve quality urban spaces such as increasing more PCNs
2) increase convenience to amenities such as having shopping malls in the community
3) improve integrated transportation
What is SkillsFuture about?
SkillsFuture is a national movement that provides opportunities for all Singaporeans to develop to their fullest potential at different stages of their lives.
Example: Each Singaporean adult is given $500 to apply for workshops/courses that allow them to pickup new skills that allows them to be relevant.
