In Singapore, we do not have the proper cultural development nor the natural sites to occupy our leisure time with. The easiest access to entertainment in Singapore are city activities such as shopping, eating, movies, electronic games etc. Being brought up in this urban environment, it would only be natural if youths search for such alternative amusement that requires quite a sum of money to enjoy as compared to hiking a mountain or tadpole fishing. We also have to bear in mind that Singapore has recorded a 26 year high inflation rate of 7%, which is no wonder that students are spending 75% of their allowance.

In addition, Singapore is a first world country, and therefore we cannot expect the population, including the youths to exihibit frugal consumption patterns of those in an industrializing countries in the pre-1990 era. The absence of good values of today’s youth cannot be just infered by their consumption patterns. In fact, the link is rather weak. There are many factors that can be explored to rationalize the results of this informal study.

The survey mentioned in the article interviewed students. I do not believe that the allowance of students is a lot. With the rising cost of living in Singapore, there is little to save if one wants to enjoy oneself with good quality entertainment in their sort of sense. As mentioned earlier, just because students did not earn the allowance, it does not mean that students are expected to lower their consumption level such that it is only possible to go for low quality entertainment.

The article blames the “weak educational and value system that has seeped into and festered in the local culture”. Although the education system does not highlight on moral education, it has tried to impart the value of pragmatism in its school environment and a “tit for tat” value in its meritocratic style of priority to access benefits.

It seems that the article has infered a supposed image of youths adopting bad values and linking it to a worst case scenrio of Japan’s disillusioned youths (which might not entirely their fault for their consuming style). In addition, the education system was unfairly blasted for not imparting a very vague idea of a certain set of values.