An important book
The author has eloquently given voice to those who bear the brunt of inequality in wealthy Singapore.
Through each chapter, she cogently and empathetically presents their plight to readers who are the least likely to ever hear of it first hand, or ever care to hear of it.
It is compelling. Because as she says, we are more than molecules, which are subject to the laws of physics and thus have no agency.
Because we are more than molecules, we can and therefore must refuse. Refuse to let inequality widen, and refuse to perpetuate inequality, however consciously or subconsciously.
That is a tall order, because we have our own insecurities and worries about falling behind in the rat race. Nonetheless, the book compels one to reflect upon what one can do, however small a step it may be.
I first heard about her book from her opinion editorial in the newspapers entitled “When kids say ‘I lazy what'”. The op-ed had me at hello. Here is an excerpt:
The difficulty of the curriculum, the understanding that exams have high-stake consequences for their kids’ futures, and the difficulty of teaching one’s own children, have fuelled the growth of the tuition industry. Parents with ample means use these to help their children from the get-go (in some cases as young as pre-school) and on a regular basis (that is, throughout the school years).
Parents with moderate means forgo other household needs and hire tutors in crucial exam years and/or on subjects especially tough for their kids. Tuition has become a billion-dollar industry, with parents spending significant proportions of household income on it.
In theory, all educational paths can lead to reasonable lives and decent well-being. In reality, the limited educational credentials of underperforming children of low-income parents will put them in similar low-wage jobs. It is disingenuous to claim that all tracks are good and all paths valued; if this were the case, and if Singaporeans actually believe this, tuition centres would be out of business.
Beyond the low self-esteem of kids from lower-income families who stop trying because they do not believe they can succeed, the odds are just so infinitely stacked up against them, and continue to be stacked up by each and every non-low income parent who over-tutors their kids just to get that extra edge (or that extra t-score point).
There is much more on that, and other important issues, in her book. As I read the first half of it I found myself scrawling annotations of my own thoughts and reactions (mostly emphatic agreements) to her findings.
However
Although it is admirable that her work is borne out of intensive fieldwork, and it seems hard to argue with one who has spoken to 200 Singaporeans, I felt that the chapter ‘Dignity is like clean air’ did not present a fair picture. It quoted social workers, and suggested that theirs was the mindset which truly bears changing. I have spoken to social workers and have friends who work in the sector, and they have a different view on a few points in the chapter.
Firstly, that short review periods are not to detect change or improvements per se, but to ensure that the help is adequate and that families are not getting into more difficult situations. And clients who seek help from social workers do so for a variety of reasons, and financial assistance is but one of them. Vulnerable families often have a range of needs, including health and counselling needs. Thus the regular reviews are also meant to help.
Secondly, with regard to the perspectives on large flat screen televisions in rental flats, unlike what the author states, social workers don’t really see it as just spending money unwisely and getting on instalment plans that they cannot fulfil. Rather, it is more reflective of their clients’ decision making process and how this is symptomatic across various areas of their lives.
Thirdly, I personally feel that whilst I agree that the process to help those in need can be more flexible and generous, the book does not address how some people do try to abuse the system. I’ve heard from social workers on the ground who have to deal with unreasonable, demanding folks who try to milk benefits from multiple agencies, and in so doing, deprive the truly needy from receiving more help.
So whilst more can be done, and more should be done, I feel that we cannot just swing to the other extreme. Certainly there are repercussions to helping with the best intentions but regrettably bringing about unintended outcomes. Some calibration, however unwelcome it seems, needs to be in place.
Although as a country we are probably too paranoid with regard to extending welfare benefits at this point of time, we do need to think through measures carefully, probably devolve more autonomy to social workers on the ground, so that meaningful and sustained help can be given, whilst minimising intrusiveness.
All in all, this is an important book for all Singaporeans to read, reflect and act upon.
More can and must needs be done. What will you and I do?
You can order the book ($25) online from Ethos Books as I did, here. If there is only one book that you purchase this year, this should be it.
Note: This is a non-sponsored post.
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