With 2012 being a year of elections for many countries, governments the world over are trying to tap into the potential of apathetic youths to win popular support. However, youth participation in politics has been minimal, as most prefer to remain nonchalant and apathetic. It is not hard to see why. After all, most youths view politics as complicated and boring, preferring to indulge in their own material benefits instead. Youths often view politicians as not easily approachable nor understood, or are simply self-interested, following societal norms of political apathy.
For instance, Singapore, being an Asian society, is more work-orientated and its people are more individualistic. “Go to school, get good grades, get a good degree and find a stable and secure job” has perhaps been the national obsession since independence. With manpower being the only resource available since independence, it had to be utilised fully to ensure the survival of the country. While our forefathers were struggling to make a living for a better future, they had little time for or interest in politics. Most entrusted their future in the ruling party’s hands, with their promise of stability in governance and economic growth. This attitude of apathy toward politics has probably cumulated to the present day, where youths nowadays are told by their parents to “work hard for your future” rather than “vote for your future”.
On top of that, intense competition is ever-prevailing in our tiny nation of 5 million, which has given rise to the “kiasu” spirit, the fear of losing out. Nowadays, self-interested Singapore teens care not for political parties, but for their electronic gadgets to show off to their peers, or to achieve outstanding results to get a university scholarship. Working adults ambition the 5Cs (cash, credit card, car, condominium, country club) in the rat race to supposed “success in life”, more than they picture Singapore’s future in the political arena. Generally, Singaporeans bear an attitude of nonchalance toward politics, placing their focus on individualistic interests instead.
Not to mention to cold political scene in Singapore. With majority of the parliament seats dominated by the ruling party, heated (and exciting) debates between different parties are hard to come by. While media in other countries may show heated, sometimes even violent, arguments in parliament on national TV, local media portray parliament sessions as men in suits giving speeches at the microphone. This may well intrigue the higher educated adults, but it bores teenagers and young adults alike, who probably cannot fully comprehend the long speeches and prefer some excitement in political debates.
Perhaps the general attitude toward politics in Singapore in conformity to the norm, “as long as we are obedient, we focus on our studies, our job or our lives; the ruling party will continue to plan for our future and we do not have to bother”, as it is expressed in an article on The Online Citizen.
Personally, I think my attitude toward politics oscillates between nonchalance and short-lived interest. For one thing, I am not yet eligible to vote. Just like the mindsets of most youths living in democratic countries, politics is an arena which does not concern me, at least not directly. Whether I choose to be politically active or not, it makes not the slightest difference in the outcome of any election. Because I have no political affinity and the ballot box is still years away, I deem myself as politically apathetic most of the time.
Just like most Singaporean youths, I would rather take convention than break it. No point busying myself finding out the new policies of whichever party, be it the ruling party or the opposition, when there is still a pile of homework waiting to be completed. Not entitled to the voting slip, be it whether a new policy would affect me, I am in no position to change the current state of things. I would so much rather take time to pursue my hobbies or seek some form of entertainment in my free time, rather than spend my precious few hours reading political articles. Just like youths in China, the latest tech gadgets and material wealth capture my attention more than political slogans.
Therefore, I deem myself as apathetic toward politics, that is until the General Elections arrive, which pique my interest slightly, as I would catch on the campaign fever. Only then, I may go online to watch a few campaign rallies and read the papers covering the elections. As the election passes and the exciting atmosphere dies down, so does my short-lived interest.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same”, as said by a French philosopher. No matter how much the political arena changes, I believe the nonchalance of youth toward politics would prevail for a long time to come.
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