My Kids Don’t Care If Singapore has the Most Powerful Passport in the World

“Did you know we’ve got the most powerful passport in the world?” Since we were approaching Singapore’s 59th National Day, this was how I opened the conversation at the dinner table one evening. But as it turns out, the kids weren’t terribly impressed.

“Wow,” quipped my 12-year-old. “I didn’t know there’s an official ranking for that.”

“Yes, it means we don’t need a visa to visit 195 countries,” I explained. “More than travel convenience, international accessibility means that our red passport gives us entry across most borders. It’s an amazing achievement by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Isn’t it remarkable what our little red dot has accomplished in just one generation?”

The girls’ nonchalant nods and shrugs made it clear that this international accomplishment wasn’t one they were personally excited about.

What 4 Young Singaporeans Do Care About

So I held back my gush on Singapore’s international accolades in world competitiveness, best airport rankings, and how we measure against Ivy League universities. Instead, I shifted the conversation towards something they could identify with.

“This National Day, let’s look at Singaporean qualities we’re proud of and traits we can improve on,” I suggested.

My eldest started with a common trope among the youth. “I don’t like the fast pace and the lack of cultural arts scene in Singapore,” she said.

“I like the safety but don’t like the stressful work and studies environment,” my second continued.

“Yeah, my friend’s mum is so fierce that she gets scolded for not getting full marks for spelling. Why can’t parents chill, man? We should have PE everyday instead of focusing on academics!” This was from our family athlete, of course.

Then number three offered her two cents: “We take so many things for granted, like clean water and safety. Did you know people have to walk to wells to get water and boil it, while it’s so easy for us to turn on the tap for potable drinking water. We’re too sheltered,” she mused.

3 Progressive Attitudes to Cultivate in the Next Generation of Singaporeans

Their candid sharing got me thinking about the Singapore identity and how progress could look.

1. Safety – Looking beyond the physical aspect

Singapore is definitely a safe place to raise families. However, we can do more to build emotional and mental sanctuaries for individuals.

Children are under so much academic pressure to perform that it becomes unhealthy. Tuition is accepted to be the norm because ‘everyone is doing it’. Yet, why do we tax our little ones’ system with extra classes after school and on the weekends?

There is little decompression time and thus, it is no wonder tempers flare and relationships are strained. If we are to truly evolve as a progressive society, carving time for hobbies and recreation into our daily routines should become the norm.

My eldest is sitting for her ‘A’ levels soon. She recently requested for a sewing machine because it makes her happy to create clothes for her siblings.

When we interspace learning with enjoyable non-screen activities, we develop holistic adults who are connected with their innate talents. Children are forced to slow down to discover what their individual interests are.

Number two crochets stuffed toys and clothes for us, while number three reads voraciously. Number four delights at any outdoor activity with her younger brother. They would have no time to explore all these if their schedules are packed back-to-back with activities.

We practise ‘Own Time, Own Target’ (OTOT), a space where each is free to do whatever off-screen activities they want to. These can range from napping and playing card games to cooking or baking. They may share their days, go to the mall by themselves, or just indulge in people-watching.

2. Inclusivity – Removing prejudiced lenses

We pride ourselves on being a multiracial, multireligious nation, so this year’s National Day “Together, as one united people” theme is a meaningful one. Especially when the celebrations extend to the heartlands over the weekend.

But inclusivity goes beyond wearing your ethnic costumes on Racial Harmony Day. Learning to identify with another culture would be to don their costume, not your own. A Chinese wearing an Indian sari or a Malay wearing a qipao would be so much more purposeful than the conventional practice we’ve kept up with for years.

The mindset of inclusivity is really about identification with a different group from what you are familiar with. Whether it’s the marginalised special needs child, financially poorer student, or those super smart kids at school, the willingness to understand another who is so different from you offers valuable insight and expands your mental models.

While the cool kid seems to have everything in their life, actually having the courage to talk to them gives you a deeper understanding of their struggles. Bias filters automatically dissolve when we realise similarities instead of focusing on perceived differences.

The mark of a truly mature individual is one who is able to relate with people from different socio-economic groups, religions, and races, all while maintaining their sense of self. It is powerfully connective when you can achieve this.

3. Gratitude – Helping us see what is instead of what isn’t

A fish in a tank takes the clean environment it swims in for granted, until it is exposed to other natural bodies of water.

Singapore downtown at dusk — *Image: tawatchai07 on Freepik*

In many ways, peaceful and affluent Singapore is largely man-made. From the transplanted trees that line the Changi highway entrance into the island, to the iconic skyscrapers in the Central Business District, and the clean streets and air — this garden city is surreal.

Do we fail to recognise that our fish tank is artificially created, thus breeding a sense of entitled expectations?

I remember travelling with a group of Singaporeans to India. They were complaining about the congested roads, pollution in the air, and bad smells everywhere. Instead of admiring the vibrant Delhi city life, their constant comparisons against efficient, picturesque Singapore meant their worldview had not truly expanded. Judgemental, critical, and negative, there was no capacity to really appreciate and enjoy another culture.

Amid our rapid economic development, a civilness characterised by a gentle, humble attitude could go a long way. A mindset in which we take nothing for granted and everything with gratitude is what parents could instil in our next generation.

A simple ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ in our vocabulary keeps the expectation disease at bay and cultivates inner contentment. Just like a person can look good on the outside while lacking inner beauty, a country can be awarded multiple external accolades and yet, lack social grace.

Let’s actively create a sense of safety, inclusivity, and gratitude every day through OTOT, deeper conversations, and grateful language. In doing so, we can build a safer, more inclusive, and more gracious society, one Singaporean child at a time.