Commentary on Homosexuality in Society

*Please note that the author apologises for any errors made in this piece of writing. No form of insulting/inflammatory connotations, implications meant. This is a plain exercise on commentary by the author.

Commentary: Homosexuality in society.


The news article which was published in the forum section of the Straits Times, discusses moral ethics involved with the gay society in a Singaporean context.

Dr Peter Goh Kok Yong raises credible examples like Mr Otto Fong’s ‘coming out’, and especially of the existence of gay people in teaching positions in schools which may influence the sexual orientation of younger persons.

He then goes on to suggest how the Ministry of Education should react to the concerns of parents, or even students, of having gay people as teachers.

The purpose of this article is to raise the issue that gay people are passionately discriminated against in society, especially Singaporean society, the article also raises points from both sides of the fence on this issue.

I agree with certain points that Dr Goh has raised.

It is true that homosexuals are discriminated in society, and that is the reason for the bulk of them choosing to remain in the closet for fear of societal rejection and discrimination. Like what Dr Goh said, likewise I agree that gay people, in the Singaporean context especially, are invisible and choose to continue remaining invisible.

What is normal and unnormal is defined by what the majority chooses to define, and the majority are heterosexual ‘normal’ people, this issue is what is termed the tyranny of the majority.

Hence, it is inevitable that gay people will continue to be discriminated by a large proportion of the heterosexual population. There will be sympathisers as well, of course, people who are able to see the big picture, and learn to coexist with gay people.

People should learn not to discriminate people because they have a different sexual orientation, as they are, in the end, still people, humans, like you and I. They have feelings, they go to work, they eat, they sleep, they do everything we do, just that their sexual orientation is different from ours.

I do not agree with everything that Dr Peter Goh mentioned, however.

I am not gay. And in fact I wholly disapprove of the concept of homosexuality in society, if being gay were the normal sexual orientation, where then would procreation occur, and without procreation, how would there be continuation of the human race? Are we to simply go extinct by being all gay?

However, I cannot disapprove the homosexuals in society, as they are, humans. And every human, regardless of that individual's belief or orientation in anything should not be discriminated. They should not be discriminated anymore than black, yellow or white people shouldn’t be discriminated.

However, the fact remains that heterosexuality is the only ‘correct’ sexual orientation in this world, that’s how humans were created, and that’s how we should continue to be.

It may be true that there is some genetic nudge in the direction of gay, and I accept that argument completely, and agree that there will continue to be these special exceptions.

As a result, the presence of homosexuals is inevitable. With that, I believe it’s time, so-called, ‘normal’ heterosexuals should start learning to coexists with these homosexuals, and realise that they are still human people, with feelings, and we must treat them the way we would want ourselves to be treated, as a normal person.

In conclusion, I believe that what Dr Peter Goh said was very current and agreeable in that most homosexuals lack the courage to step out as who they are in society, and are, as a result, invisible to everyone, this may or may not be a good thing, but Mr Otto Fong, a homosexual and teacher, should be applauded for his courage in doing so.

However, though I believe gays should step out, I do not fully approve of the concept of being a homosexual, it is to me, alien. I do however, sympathise with homosexuals in that, environmental or genetics may play a large role in deciding their sexual orientation, and this is almost entirely not the gay person’s fault. Therefore, since we acknowledge that homosexuals will always be a part of society, the best solution to discrimination, is to learn to co-exist side by side.


Main Article:

Gay teacher's outing a milestone in debate

Section:	Forum
Publication:	The Straits Times 18/09/2007
Page:	H12
No. of words:	397

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=09&year=2007&date=18&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2007_7073155


Related:

Gay teacher's outing not appropriate

Section:	Forum
Publication:	The Straits Times 22/09/2007
Page:	H11
No. of words:	222

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=09&year=2007&date=22&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2007_7105036

Democracy Creates Stability in a Society

A political system is what affects how a society is governed and how leaders are chosen within in a society, and thus it determines how well the society is run and which affects how much stability the society has. Economic, social and political stability can be achieved through means such as development, most of the time economically. Many democratic countries, especially the Western countries, have been able to achieve some measure of stability in these areas.

The empowering factor of democracy has always been liberalism. Democracy means making sure the population’s views are respected in the decision-making process. A vote is then taken to see which candidate, and his ideals the population supports and prefers. Obviously, the candidate that has gathered the most support is elected into government, and the party which has the most of these candidates is then chosen as the ruling party. In a democracy, the government empowers its people to be able to make their own decisions and choose their own leaders. In that way, the majority of the country's population is able to be satisfied as the majority can choose the things they want.

This is a good system since many superpowers and leading nations in the world adopt this political system, and they are thriving. America, the largest economy in the world, one of the highest GDPs and probably the most powerful superpower, adopts democracy. South Korea, once the second poorest nation in the world, now is a major economic power, one of the wealthiest nations in Asia and a global military power, also uses democracy. Singapore, a small nation, is the seventeenth wealthiest nation in the world, and adopts the representative democracy political system.

Democracy has sold itself as an ideal political system to be put into place by many developed and developing countries, and many of these nations are among the wealthiest or are up and coming .

That being said, democracy isn't what is absolutely needed to attain stability, there are problems with democracy as well. First, many times, the ruling party or candidate being voted in promises many changes they will make when they’re elected, but this is not necessarily true. Many a time people have been taken in by promises and in the end action is not taken when the politician has been elected. When the next election comes again, the ruling party starts promising again, new promises, to the people, so that they can stay in power. Second, even if the elected politicians and parties act as they promised, it still would be impossible to please the entire population, and there will be a disappointed minority. The minority, such as those who are ‘underaged’ and given no right to vote and choose who governs them, will definitely be angry with not being able to have a say in the matter. Third, problems arise when the ruling party does not win by a large margin; there are then squabbles and power struggles over ruling rights and so on. This creates a lot of bureaucratic red tape and puts a slowdown to decisions the government makes, and causes the country to be inefficiently run.

A country like Indonesia, which is a democracy, has a relatively a low Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of around US$1,812. While an Authoritarian China, and a socialist state, has relatively high levels of development and stability, which is achieved from the very nationalistic nature of the people through the Communist Party of China's government.

That goes to say that democracy is not what is absolutely needed to attain stability.

However, though it does not work in all cases, it still remains one of the most utilised and reliable political systems today. Singapore, a small nation, has been able to achieve much in spite of that, and its adopted political system is representative democracy. The controlling party is responsible for the success Singapore has experienced as a nation since her full independence in the year 1965. The People’s Action Party, PAP, has stayed in power since then. Opposition parties in Singapore are weak but still are able to create the competition needed to keep the ruling party constantly on its toes, constantly improving itself to satisfy the people. There are anti-corruption agencies in Singapore to keep the government in check, measures against passing a bill that would disadvantage a minority group, and a feedback system so people can provide suggestions for the government on how to improve policies and ensure fair treatment for citizens, for example.

In conclusion, democracy, a tried and tested political system with many shining examples of success, does lead to stability in society in most cases, and if measure are actively taken to ensure the majority or the ruling party does not mistreat any single minority group.

Teen Partying A Social Issue

Main Article:

Zaccheus, M . (2007, December 16). Teens' Wild Nights Out... The Straits Times,
p. 40.

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=12&year=2007&date=16&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2007_7695697

TEENS' WILD NIGHTS OUT

Section:	Gen Y
By:	MELODY ZACCHEUS
Publication:	The Straits Times 16/12/2007
Page:	40
No. of words:	871

The purpose of this article is to highlight that even teens are partying and that at these parties, wild things happen. The article also gives different perspectives from different people.

For example, some students think that they are able to control themselves, whereas people like Youth Guidance Outreach Services’ Programme Director General Chiang Tat feel that teenagers are naturally rebellious and if they don’t have healthy relationships with parents, there is nothing stopping them from things like these happening, at parties especially.

It is very true what the article says of teens giving their parents the slip to enjoy themselves at these parties. I feel this is a major problem, because parents will not know what their teenage children are doing. Keeping information from their parents is wrong, practically speaking and is also unhealthy for the parent-teenage child relationship.

As a teenager, I have had my fair share of rebellion as well, though far from the extremity of this. This happens because the teenager doesn’t feel loved at home and so turn to these friends, for love to replace the love that family should give.

These parties may seem shocking to some, but to others, they feel it is normal. Some parents even allow it, telling the teenage child just 'not to go overboard'.

I give the benefit of doubt to the parents that they do not know what kind of parties their teenage child is attending. However, the teenagers themselves have full knowledge of what they are getting themselves into.

This is a social problem for the country, because these teenagers are going to take over the reins sooner or later. Who knows what kind of influence they will be on the next generation of teenagers, their children, and influencing the direction of this country, its economy and other things. How if the work force of tomorrow stays up until late, and is irresponsible, even to their parents.

I cannot imagine the consequences.

The root of the whole issue is communication, many of the ‘parent generation’ like to criticise today’s modern teenager as being overly social, too rebellious as to why they have turned out the way they are.

I beg to differ. Because what they fail to realise is that parents also have the responsibility to take the initiative to start communicating first to teenagers.

As a teenager, I feel that a parent should be able to bring themselves to the teenager’s level and speak to them, talk about school, talk about their friends.

Forcing a teenager to live the life you want them to live is not the right way to go. Teenagers react like this because they do not feel loved, and seek to feel loved, at the wrong places. Parents should be able to give them that love. This is a result of miscommunication between parents and teenage children.

I urge parents to take up this challenge, to love your teenager, to not despise them, because it’s not only their fault.

Word Count: 500 words

*Please note that the author apologises for any errors made in this piece of writing.

Other Relevant Articles:

Chew, A (2001, September 21). S'pore teens more likely to be hooked on porn instead of drugs. Is your teen addicted to these? An addiction that is worse than drugs? The New Paper, p. 12-13.

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?documentId=nica_NP_2001_2264788&year=2001&month=09&date=21