COMPARED with old folk in other Asian states, the elderly in Singapore are contributing both practically and financially to their families, according to a 2008 global ageing study by Oxford University. Unfortunately, they also get less support of the same kind from their children and grandchildren.
Said British gerontologist Sarah Harper, one of the researchers behind the study: 'We have this idea that older people are a burden on our society but that's because we tend to look at it through our tax system, that they are not in work.'
This is far from the truth, because the study showed that older people still made significant contributions towards their loved ones at home, she said on Thursday, in presenting the study at a conference by the International Consortium for Intergenerational Programmes.
Around 1,000 seniors each from various countries worldwide were asked if they had given financial and practical support to their family members over a six-month period. The study also asked respondents - aged above 55 - if their children or grandchildren had done the same for them.
The results showed that older folks in Singapore were giving more help to their children and grandchildren than the other way around.
Twelve per cent of Singaporean respondents said they offered support such as shopping for groceries, or helping their children clean the house.
Straits Times 30/4/2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Old folks in S'pore an asset
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2 comments:
The finest example of an old folk as an asset is LKY. Even at a ripe old age of 87, he is still helping his son out in govt, earns his own pay without getting handouts from his children.
I am sure majority of old folks in Spore look to LKY as their inspiration...hoping one fine day they can be like him, gorging on sashimi and not having to perform any backbreaking jobs.
Ideally every old folk should be given a chance to be president of Singapore like Nathan, but only for just one day !
Think about it, Nathan gets paid about $10,000++ per day to shake hands, cut ribbons and pose for photos. Any old folk can handle this chore and of course gets to rub shoulders with LKY and familee. LOL
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