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Values of youth in Singapore
Author
Lock, Alyson Mei Yiok
Supervisor
Cheng, Yuan Shan
Abstract
Values are enduring concepts and beliefs which play a significant role in influencing the attitudes and behaviours of people. Our values affect many areas of our lives, influencing both the manner we interpret and assess situations and the steps that we execute in quest of attaining our goals. The main objective of this study was to learn Singaporean youths’ perception and where they stand with regards to the six core value components (respect, resilience, responsibility, integrity, care and harmony) endorsed by Ministry of Education (MOE). In addition, the youths’ perception on citizenship was also studied. Gender, age, and educational levels were also examined to understand the possible differences in the perceived value components. A total of 269 Singaporean students aged 15 to 20 years old participated in the study.
Overall, findings from the study demonstrate that Singaporean youth agree with six of the studied value components. This is reflected in the value components of respect, resilience, responsibility, integrity, harmony, and citizenship. However, with regards to the value component of care, it was found that “helping others” is not a priority or focus for youth.
Significant gender differences were found for the value sub-components of “responsibility (negative influence)” as well as for “resilience (attitude towards challenges)”. Results showed that female students agreed more than male students that being responsible had a negative influence on them. In addition, male students take on a more positive attitude towards challenges than female students. A significant age difference was also found between the value sub-component “responsibility (willingness to sacrifice)” and students aged 20 years and above with those 16 years and below, 18 years, as well as 19 years old.
n addition, the data was analysed to examine whether gender, age, and education level had a difference on the ranking preference of what was considered important to students in which the value component “Care” was measured. Significant differences were found for gender and “family”, age and “work”, age and “car”, education level and “religion”, as well as education level and “development of our country”.
Moderately significant positive correlations were found between the following value sub-components: Citizenship (Beliefs) and Citizenship (Sense of Belonging); Integrity (Fairness) and Respect; Respect and Harmony (Openness to Differences); Resilience (Self-beliefs) and Responsibility (Willingness to Sacrifice). Implications of the findings, limitations of the study, as well as suggestions for future research were discussed.
Overall, findings from the study demonstrate that Singaporean youth agree with six of the studied value components. This is reflected in the value components of respect, resilience, responsibility, integrity, harmony, and citizenship. However, with regards to the value component of care, it was found that “helping others” is not a priority or focus for youth.
Significant gender differences were found for the value sub-components of “responsibility (negative influence)” as well as for “resilience (attitude towards challenges)”. Results showed that female students agreed more than male students that being responsible had a negative influence on them. In addition, male students take on a more positive attitude towards challenges than female students. A significant age difference was also found between the value sub-component “responsibility (willingness to sacrifice)” and students aged 20 years and above with those 16 years and below, 18 years, as well as 19 years old.
n addition, the data was analysed to examine whether gender, age, and education level had a difference on the ranking preference of what was considered important to students in which the value component “Care” was measured. Significant differences were found for gender and “family”, age and “work”, age and “car”, education level and “religion”, as well as education level and “development of our country”.
Moderately significant positive correlations were found between the following value sub-components: Citizenship (Beliefs) and Citizenship (Sense of Belonging); Integrity (Fairness) and Respect; Respect and Harmony (Openness to Differences); Resilience (Self-beliefs) and Responsibility (Willingness to Sacrifice). Implications of the findings, limitations of the study, as well as suggestions for future research were discussed.
Date Issued
2017
Call Number
BF724.3.V3 Loc
Date Submitted
2017