More on migration
Dr. P asks: "What's wrong with this newspaper report?"
TODAY, 9 Oct 2008
HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
---------------------------
Not many want to settle down here
Lin Yanqin
yanqin@mediacorp.com.sg
IT IS one of those questions that is never far from the lips of
Singaporeans when it comes to immigration: Will a large number of the
children of expatriates here remain in the country and, hopefully, sink
roots?According to one survey by HSBC Bank International, it seems less
likely to be the case here than in other countries.
Four in five of the expats surveyed were unsure if their children would
remain in Singapore, which meant that this group was the least certain
about where their children would choose to live. The remaining respondents
all felt their children would leave — either for their country of origin
(6 per cent) or to a new country (13 per cent).
At the other end of the spectrum, of the 14 countries compared in the
survey Canada seemed the most popular, with 33 per cent of expatriates
there suggesting their children would stay on; another one-third were
unsure, while the rest said their children would move back home or
elsewhere.
China and India were joint eighth and Hong Kong, 12th.
Yet, Singapore was ranked the best country in Asia for expatriates to
raise children in, and the fifth overall in the survey of 870 respondents.
So, why might they not stay? Nanyang Technological University sociologist
Caroline Pluss suggested that one possible reason is that expat children
might feel less rooted to Singapore if they attended international schools
instead of local schools. "The children would have had less opportunity to
integrate with Singaporeans, and feel less of a connection," she said.
The survey, which was done earlier this year and comprised at least 30
respondents in each country, did not capture more data about the
respondents. Nonetheless, university lecturer Andrew Duffy, 43, from the
United Kingdom, thinks that because Singapore is "a great place to raise
children", the island-state may not lose out permanently on this pool of
young immigrants.
"When they have children of their own, they might come back to Singapore
again to raise their children," said Mr Duffy, who has three children.
Based on other criteria, Singapore ranked well in terms of having a lower
cost of raising children, in the academic improvement of their children
and the amount of time the children spent outdoors. These were based on
whether respondents felt the situation had improved in the new country
compared to their country of origin.
In terms of languages picked up by children — the fifth criterion —
Singapore fared less well, with just one-fifth of expat children picking
up a new language.
TODAY, 9 Oct 2008
HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
---------------------------
Not many want to settle down here
Lin Yanqin
yanqin@mediacorp.com.sg
IT IS one of those questions that is never far from the lips of
Singaporeans when it comes to immigration: Will a large number of the
children of expatriates here remain in the country and, hopefully, sink
roots?According to one survey by HSBC Bank International, it seems less
likely to be the case here than in other countries.
Four in five of the expats surveyed were unsure if their children would
remain in Singapore, which meant that this group was the least certain
about where their children would choose to live. The remaining respondents
all felt their children would leave — either for their country of origin
(6 per cent) or to a new country (13 per cent).
At the other end of the spectrum, of the 14 countries compared in the
survey Canada seemed the most popular, with 33 per cent of expatriates
there suggesting their children would stay on; another one-third were
unsure, while the rest said their children would move back home or
elsewhere.
China and India were joint eighth and Hong Kong, 12th.
Yet, Singapore was ranked the best country in Asia for expatriates to
raise children in, and the fifth overall in the survey of 870 respondents.
So, why might they not stay? Nanyang Technological University sociologist
Caroline Pluss suggested that one possible reason is that expat children
might feel less rooted to Singapore if they attended international schools
instead of local schools. "The children would have had less opportunity to
integrate with Singaporeans, and feel less of a connection," she said.
The survey, which was done earlier this year and comprised at least 30
respondents in each country, did not capture more data about the
respondents. Nonetheless, university lecturer Andrew Duffy, 43, from the
United Kingdom, thinks that because Singapore is "a great place to raise
children", the island-state may not lose out permanently on this pool of
young immigrants.
"When they have children of their own, they might come back to Singapore
again to raise their children," said Mr Duffy, who has three children.
Based on other criteria, Singapore ranked well in terms of having a lower
cost of raising children, in the academic improvement of their children
and the amount of time the children spent outdoors. These were based on
whether respondents felt the situation had improved in the new country
compared to their country of origin.
In terms of languages picked up by children — the fifth criterion —
Singapore fared less well, with just one-fifth of expat children picking
up a new language.
Comments
Look at the old folks that are stuck here: they are usually unable to pick up new skills, and are either jobless (and picking up aluminium cans from dustbins) or in very low-pay jobs. Many people getting retrenched at age 40+ because they are deemed too old and slow. How many people actually retire with a sufficient amount of savings to last after retirement?
Look at our male citizens. We spent 2 years plus serving National Service, only to get discriminated by employees because of NS commitments. We are treated like kids and do not get any trust when applying for deferment from NS (they think we just want to avoid NS). And the 'preferential treatment' because so many scholarships are given to foreigners (many locals can do better than foreigners on many areas, but these foreigners are on scholarships while locals have to take a loan. And no, I don't dislike foreigners).
I am a Male Singaporean and I would certainly jump at an opportunity to stay overseas for a long term.
But, yes, I still love Singapore.
I say foreign talent working here should be given the..opportunity (read: obligations)..to do social work/community service with their families - then they'll see the heart of singapore.
I think I sound like I am complaining a lot, but I just want to bring across my point that in this country where the government treats its people like economic tools, its people will only become mercenaries. It is a vicious cycle!