A young nation?

[koxinga]

I see this phrase being used very often when attempts are made to explain our lack of enthusiasm when it comes to all things red n white. But it seems like a convenient excuse.

I see countries who got independence around the same time being far more secure about their national identity than us.

 

[Kiwi8]

I see this phrase being used very often when attempts are made to explain our lack of enthusiasm when it comes to all things red n white. But it seems like a convenient excuse.

I see countries who got independence around the same time being far more secure about their national identity than us.

It doesn't help that our national identity is constantly diluted with a relatively lax immigration policy.

 

[koxinga]

It doesn't help that our national identity is constantly diluted with a relatively lax immigration policy.

Putting aside the immigration issue, national consciousness is still lacking. I think that has to do with the fact that national identity started off as an artifical construct. Merlion, Singa, songs etc were dreamed up by a committee . Necessary in the beginning but maybe stun our growth on the long run.

 

[sunzoner]

Nation is an artificial construct. Language, culture and shared history, arent these all imagined?

 

[koxinga]

Nation is an artificial construct. Language, culture and shared history, arent these all imagined?

Artifical construct yes, created by who? Emotional value can be imparted on such things but if we were not part of the process as co-creators, very hard to stick. As for language, we have an official language that is not a common language nor mandatory for all.

 

[Kiwi8]

Putting aside the immigration issue, national consciousness is still lacking. I think that has to do with the fact that national identity started off as an artifical construct. Merlion, Singa, songs etc were dreamed up by a committee . Necessary in the beginning but maybe stun our growth on the long run.

If the nation wasn't based on a single ethnic group then it takes a longer time. 50 years is not enough.

For example USA also took a couple of centuries to have a national identity.

 

[koxinga]

If the nation wasn't based on a single ethnic group then it takes a longer time. 50 years is not enough.

For example USA also took a couple of centuries to have a national identity.

I am not American but I beg to differ. US identity was very much forged in the independence of the country. There was a powerful narrative, whether from people like Thomas Paine or the various Founding Fathers. Some might view the Civil War as evidence against it, but I see it more as an affirmation of its identity but a struggle for long term direction of where the nation should go.

Edit:
I had been to a country recently which was made out of 3 major ethnicity, brought there by their former colonial masters and gained independence in the 1970s. Although much poorer and backwards then us, they retain a strong national identity which exist along side their ethnic identity. The contrast seem to strong when I come back to town...

 

[Providence]

Singapore is considered as a young nation in international standards.

 

[Geforce3]

I am not American but I beg to differ. US identity was very much forged in the independence of the country. There was a powerful narrative, whether from people like Thomas Paine or the various Founding Fathers. Some might view the Civil War as evidence against it, but I see it more as an affirmation of its identity but a struggle for long term direction of where the nation should go.

Edit:
I had been to a country recently which was made out of 3 major ethnicity, brought there by their former colonial masters and gained independence in the 1970s. Although much poorer and backwards then us, they retain a strong national identity which exist along side their ethnic identity. The contrast seem to strong when I come back to town...

it took till the civil war before the idea of an America came about... prior to that it was just a loose federation of states each wanting different things

anyway more often than not, it takes a traumatic experience/beginning to help shape collective memory and help create and develop the sense of nationalism you desire

 

[Geforce3]

It doesn't help that our national identity is constantly diluted with a relatively lax immigration policy.

actually in a weird way it actually develops our sense of Singaporean but in a way that I don't really endear myself too. The aspect of exclusivity is what I am talking about...

 

[Inix]

I tend to agree with Geforce3. The mass immigration influx tend to force us to identify ourselves as US vs THEM. With US being blue blood Singaporeans...

 

[Geforce3]

I tend to agree with Geforce3. The mass immigration influx tend to force us to identify ourselves as US vs THEM. With US being blue blood Singaporeans...

It's easier to create a sense of solidarity by othering the other

 

[Red_Panda]

A young nation or not, it shouldn't affect make us -- true blue Singaporean -- any lesser Singaporean than we should be.

Our past generations(parents and grandparents) had their shares of their trials and tribulations. While we, the younger ones, also had the unique experiences of growing up in a multi-racial society, competing in our life's first few rat races(PSLE, GCE), living in our clean and safe HDBs and doing NS when coming of age. All these helped formed the main cores of our Singaporean identity of today.

The challenge is how to integrate the "new" Singaporeans -- make them feel more like "Singaporean" -- who took up the citizenships during the recent years, when immigration policies had been lax.

But I'm afraid it would be a improbable task though; it is extremely difficult to "uproot" the emotions and feelings that were attached to the place of your birth, and faithfully swear allegiance to a foreign place. And I reckon that the true integration only starts with their offsprings.

 

[koxinga]

If I decide to immigrate to Australia, while I will be missing Singapore to some levels, I won't necessary miss the country, otherwise I won't be leaving anyway. But because I was not brought up there, even if I hold a citizenship, I won't be considered a true blue "Aussie". .

It is true, even here in Singapore. I work in a Singaporean company. When I go overseas, our foreign clients can tell a difference between local born Singaporean and our other colleagues who are new Singaporeans from China (no doubt thinking we are outsourcing the work to China)

 

[Providence]

But this 'young' nation is losing its national identity soon.

 

[cancer81]

did we even had one to begin with? A really definitive one....

not symbols/icons that other ppl identify us with...

not singlish. but the core values of being a Singaprean. which I guess the only one then is Kiasu and Kiasee.

which we have taught our new friends/neighbours all too well.