The elderly citizens in Singapore are lonely. They are the social outcasts of this constantly-evolving society. Take a glance at the local streets, and take notice of the elderly citizens. Whereever they appear, they are with the people of their generation, out casted by the future generations. This reveals a negative attitude in the treatment of the elderly in our society.
I feel that the rapid pace of progress of the nation does have its implications. People are intensivly focused on their carrer. They have no spare time to direct their attnetion at other problems in life, some of it being the most fundenmental. People are not ignorant of this fact. They try to make up for it through materialistic means which is achived with little time and effort.
The government has invested intensively in terms of resources and facilities for the elderly to enjoy their late years. This could be seen through the examples present in the article. The government is also aware of the psychological which is much needed by the elderly citizens, therefore establishing this policy.
I feel that although the government has done its part impressively, ultimately the responsibility and capability of providing the elderly citizens with a happy life is on our shoulders. Therefore I think that the efforts put in by the government is somewhat futile to a certain extent. The public needs to be aware of the moral duty of the fact that they should return their parent's love on them.
I am guilty of negleting the responsibility to take care of the elderly myself, and I think the trigger factor for this is the lack of attention put into to educate the students morally. In primary school, only the chinsese lessons discuss on the moral issues. These lessons are normally ignored as our society generally has a lack of interest for chinese related issues. Since ideas are more easily adopted when we are young, it is best to give the moral understanding a more serious approach in primary school or perhaps even earlier.
Please, repay the elderly citizens. For it is not your efforts alone which made our nation to what it is today. For it is only your duty to love them back.
