Grandparents are the most important people in society. Do you agree?
Written by Cai Hechun
Lorene Rocker is a paragon of the saying “You are never too old to learn”—she realised her dream of pursuing a college course at the ripe old age of 80 and continued to contribute to society. Her example highlights to us the important role of grandparents in society—a source of inspiration and an asset to the community. However, despite their critical roles, many claim that senior citizens, who experience mental and physical degeneration, are additional burdens to our society and should not be considered as the most important people. In my opinion, grandparents, an inalienable group in our society, should always receive utmost care and be respected for their dedication due to their importance to our nation.
To begin with, the contribution of grandparents has been a driving force behind economic growth and a cornerstone of our thriving society. In the post-war years, they endured austere living conditions, remaining steadfast and devoted despite a multitude of challenges, toiling most of their lives away to build Singapore from a backwater to the cosmopolitan metropolis it is today. Hence, the pioneer generation is deserving of our respect as the prosperity of our society could not have been attained without their dedication and hard work. Though many of the younger generation also devote their time and stamina to building our nation, it is undeniable that the contributions of the pioneer generation, which laid a concrete foundation for our future growth and made many of our ambitions achievable, should be considered to be the most prominent.
Moreover, grandparents are usually the most senior members of each household and hence should be considered the most important. Although globalisation has brought many different cultural influences to Singapore, we should still hold fast to traditional family values which are the bedrock of Asian culture. Hence, it is imperative that we practise filial piety and respect for our elders. Our grandparents have given their utmost to feed, clothe and educate our families and though the majority of them may have retired now, we should not forget that we owe what we have today to them. Furthermore, with a wealth of experience behind them, they are also sources of invaluable wisdom and advice. Thus, due regard should be awarded to them as they are the most essential members of our families and hence our society.
Nevertheless, some may argue that senior citizens’ inability to continue contributing to society can illustrate the fact that the elderly no longer play a crucial role in our community. Feeble, outdated and obtuse, the elderly can hardly be counted as an important group. However, this is an erroneous stereotype. Proper training, a second chance and more understanding can be all it needs to fuel healthy and positive grandparents to rejoin the workforce and utilise their rich experiences to mentor the young. The Work Development Agency in Singapore is now actively providing financial aids and subsidies for the elderly who are willing to update their skills. Mentors in parliament, senior teachers and workers in companies—jobs easily filled by experienced senior citizens—can all be roles that our grandparents can shoulder to remain active and contributing individuals.
In conclusion, contributing to society continuously and being a critical factor to the future development of our community, our grandparents are one of the most important players in our nation. It is our responsibility to provide emotional, financial support and construct a caring environment for them to age gracefully.
MICHTANNN 