[ST Forum] Voices of Youth: Many fear being judged if they stand out

[hwzlite]

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/voices-of-youth-many-fear-being-judged-if-they-stand-out
When I was in primary school, there was an instance when my teacher got the class to choose between two answers to a question, of which only one was right.

Pupils who chose the first option would move to one side of the classroom, while those who chose the second option would move to the other.

At the beginning of the activity, many stood in the middle of the classroom until some of their friends made their choices, after which they followed their friends.

Near the end, only a couple of classmates and I were on one side, while the majority was on the other. As the teacher started firing questions at us, the classmates who were with me started moving to the other side, one by one. I was the only pupil left on that side.

Surprised by my decision, my teacher asked me why I didn't go along with the majority. My answer was that I simply believed in myself, and what was the worst that could happen if I got it wrong?

This simple social experiment showed that even primary school children were afraid of standing out by not following the majority.

I am not saying that following the majority is wrong, or that our own opinions are always right.

However, it does seem as though most Singaporeans would rather follow the majority for the rest of their lives than stand up for their own opinion, just because of the fear of being judged.

I know that these words, coming from a secondary school student with barely any life experience, may sound unconvincing, but I sincerely hope that more Singaporeans will have the courage to stand up for their opinion, and feel proud of themselves regardless of the results.

Chua Yong En, 15
Secondary 4 student

 

[SMLJMIW]

99% sheep.

One of the few countries in the world where almost all chose to be mRNAed.

Note I didn't use the word "vaxxed".

This is how totalitarian societies begin.

 

[wwenze]

Yet they are also the generation that wants to make money as YouTube influenza. Isn't the goal of influenza is to stand out?

 

[tatsit]

young Chua should know that his parents era all timid sheeps

 

[herzberg]

Wait till he have to choose between putting food on table or "standing out", then he know la.

Ginna haven't jiak enough salt yet

 

[Tardis]

maybe the guy is just tiki leh? teacher ask 1+1 is what, he only choose 3 because "he believe in himself"

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Justifying your reasoning is more important than blind self beliefs.
This article is stupid it tries to argue for standing out for the sake of standing out when the reasoning for doing something is more important.
He can't even remember why he took a stand then.
This type easiest to brainwash to be SJW.

 

[begintoend]

To the example in the forum opinion

I dunno wat is the correct answer.
It seems to me author and a few jus believe they are right
But a majority think otherwise, and are labelled followers or sheep

So if the answer is for the majority.....

then was the author right or was he being an a-hole....
Like a few ppl which i had come across... yes, younglings as well..

 

[treeskull]

Many stand up for their opInion and kena sue and jail

 

[maosaikopi]

Wait next time ah chua ghost ns

he will understand how kumgong it is to stand alone on one side of the fence

 

[peaceheart]

Very true.....dun even need much observation since a 15yo kid already noticed that