I could not come to class last week. I was feeling unwell. So sorry. I heard there were a few interesting videos shown in class. Too bad I could not watch it. Anyway, from reading the notes and asking around, these are what I have to say about this week's topic.
Cultural Systems. Although we know that there are more than one factor in determining how one communicates with others, we cannot deny that culture is one of the most significant ones. Culture determines how one thinks and believes and therefore acts. From young, one's culture had been introduced and practiced and later on become part of one's identity and self concept.
Tell me if you still recognize this song:
Sama-sama maju ke hadapan
Pandai cari pelajaran
Jaga diri dalam kesihatan
Serta sopan-santun dengan kawan-kawan
Dengan hati bersih serta suci
Sama-sama hormat dan berbudi
Jaga tingkah pemuda-pemudi
Adat dan budaya junjung tinggi
Capailah lekas cita-cita pemudi-pemuda
Supaya kita ada harga di mata dunia
Kalau kita lengah serta lupa
Hidup kita sia-sia
Jiwa besar sihat serta segar
Rajin dengan sabar tentu bahagia
Lemah lembut perangai pemudi
Cergas tangkas wataknya pemuda
Suka rela selalu berbakti
Sikap yang pembela dan berjasa
Capailah nama yang mulia pemudi-pemuda
Rajinlah supaya berjaya semoga bahagia
This song is called... "Semoga Bahagia" (May we be happy). We used to sing this song every children's day. This song has collectivism written all over it. Notice the pronouns used. And the concept that was to be sent across.
Together we progress
Clever at seeking knowledge
Take care of your health
And be courteous to your friends
With a clean and pure heart
We respect and do good to each other
Watch your behaviour, oh youths
Respect and honour your customs and traditions
Quickly reach your goals/dreams, oh youths
So that we'll have our worth, in this world
If we are lazy and forgetful
Our lives are worthless
A big heart and a fresh mind
Hardworking and patience definitely brings success/happiness
Soft-spoken is the lady
Energetic and tenacious is the man
Charitable, always contributing
Having a righteous spirit and doing good
Attain a respectable position, oh youths
Be hardworking so that you will succeed, may you achieve happiness
Even when we are young, we were exposed to such songs to promote collectivism among us. I guess this is essential especially in a multi-cultural Singaporean society. Intra culturally, I believe that the malays, chineses and indians are pretty much in sync with the collectivism idea within their society. It is the inter-cultural collectivism that is the main focus.
Thus...
Get the idea?
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Nice entry; love the nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteI believe that whoever wrote this song, his rationale is to cultivate a sense of togetherness in all of us Singaporeans (hence, the idea of collectivism). This song is meant to be everlasting; as we become more urbanised (Westernised), we become more individualistic. This song prevents us from becoming fully individualistic (read: also harbouring the negative traits of individualism).
When we think about it, collectivism is more prevalent than individualism. Collectivism is present everywhere in the world, and individualism emerges only post-collectivism. Rather than saying that Americans and other Westerners are individualistic, it's more proper to state that they are just MORE individualistic than say, the Asians.
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ReplyDeleteHi Hafiz,
ReplyDeleteI actually remember that song that you posted! If I recall correctly, we had to sing that song quite often back in primary school (which only feels light years ago!)
Anyway, I agree with you that we have been brought up from young to lean more towards collectivism. However, I feel that as we grow older and our experiences increase, there is a gradual shift towards individualism. This could perhaps be linked to Hofstede's dimension on masculinity and femininity.
Singapore is a country which prides itself on meritocracy, a masculine trait, as we are rewarded based on our performances. As a result, this could explain the inclination towards individualism as there has been an increase in competition when it comes to achievements and various measures of success.
Just my two cents worth!
-Jean
Correct me if I'm wrong but this song was written by the person who wrote our national anthem? Haha. Either way, even the anthem itelf is abound with messages of collectivism. Even the the first statement: Mari KITA rakyat Singapura, whereby Singaporeans are considered an entity, rather than of many individuals. Almost everything about our Singapore identity is too the same. =)
ReplyDeleteOh right, Mr. Zubir Said. I'm a shameless Singaporean.
ReplyDeleteIt seems there are a lot of supports for classifying Singapore culture as a collectivist one.
ReplyDeleteHaha... Yup it is Zubir Said. He is a well-known song writer and he writes these kind of songs.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Jean. As we grow older, I do feel than we are more incline to individualism. Even though we do not really show it up in open. With the environment being very competitive, people tend to think about themselves more.
Thank you for all the comments.