Let’s face it, there’s a lot to think about on an ordinary day. It’s enough to make people unable to think too much about social issues. After all, social issues are more of a big picture thing, and for most average Singaporeans, it doesn’t have the same bearing on their lives as water and electricity bills, salary adjustments, or taxes. It’s enough to make many people disregard them completely.

But the sad reality is that social issues affect a large part of our community. For example, did you know that many families are living under the Singapore poverty line? The rate of income disparity in Singapore is concerning. We’re already the 2nd most income disparate country in Asia. 

Discrimination, inequality, poverty and other problems in Singapore may be more subtle than in developing countries, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth taking a look at. Even the richest nations of the world have vulnerable groups and marginalised communities that deserve more attention. The difference is that there is a larger population and more resources in our country to solve them.

What socioeconomic problems do Singaporeans care about?

There are a lot of issues happening around the world that deserve our attention. A lot of people are passionate about things like climate change, animal rights, or social inequality in Singapore. Most of these causes deserve our time and attention, but some are more urgent than others. As long as humanity exists, many issues we are trying to address will not go away.

What social issues do Singaporeans prioritise the most? We’re most concerned about social issues that impact our country on a deeper level. Let’s take a look at some noteworthy issues that many of us would like to give attention to., and how we can contribute to them.

1) Our health and protection against disease and illnesses

It’s not surprising to note that most of us are concerned with the health of our population. After all, living through a pandemic for nearly 2 years will definitely raise its priority for many. Even after the development of vaccines and strict social distancing measures, there is still a need to pay closer attention to our health. Singapore has a sizable population of elderly people who are vulnerable to transmittable diseases such as Covid-19. As the situation with Covid-19 continues to develop, all the help is needed to ensure that our loved ones remain safe.

We need health programs to ensure everyone has access to medicines and health services they need. Urban poverty has made it difficult to have access to life-saving services for people in need. Thankfully, many organisations make it their mission to raise enough money to fund programs for better health.

2) How we can look after our mental health

Mental health used to be a taboo topic for many people. But as times change and more people become open to talking about their experiences, it rapidly rose to prominence. Depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders are prominent in a country with a competitive and hardworking culture like Singapore’s. Learning work-life balance is essential to mental health.

While better legislation to promote good mental health can do a lot, there’s still much that we can do. Starting campaigns for mental health awareness and providing seminars and resources on how to take care of yourself. 

3) Discrimination and mistreatment of vulnerable groups

There are a lot of groups that can fall under the definition of “vulnerable groups.” Historically, there has been discrimination based on gender, race, class, religion, sexuality, and other such factors. As a democratic country, Singapore has come far in bridging gaps between groups and reducing social inequality in Singapore. However, this does not mean that Singapore is entirely immune to social issues. There are still several causes that people support till this day.

Since many social issues fall under this category, it is best to stay informed and participate in any activities that go towards social reform. Social inequality can be as small as covert workplace discrimination, or as big as systematic discrimination. If you have a particular group you care about, don’t forget to support them by donating to various unions and organisations. Always find trusted entities who are respected by those groups.

4) Poverty

Singapore may be a rich country, but that doesn’t mean that everyone leads comfortable lives. Urban poverty is still a huge problem that affects so many individuals in Singapore. Generally, though, the Singaporean government has been proactive in helping the poorest households, and have even implemented schemes on how to assist them with house funding, job hunting, and more.

The average Singaporean citizen can assist in programs that help the needy. Various donation drives are available for you to give to, and you can also participate in projects for supporting the less fortunate. Check out various organisations if you are willing and interested in lending your time and skills. Manpower is needed for many projects.

The takeaway:

You don’t need to be particularly rich or talented to be a part of a project. There are many ways for you to contribute, and there are many causes that need our attention. Here in Singapore, a lot of us are quite fortunate to have more than enough means to take volunteer opportunities in Singapore. Many of our nation’s brightest minds come from groups that need our help the most.

Want to learn more about how you can solve issues regarding urban poverty in Singapore? The Best of You aims to inform Singaporeans about people’s plights and how they can make a difference in others’ lives. Reach out to them today!