Professor
defends race survey results
South China Morning Post. December 24,
1999
RELATED: Singaporean
youth rather be white: poll
DEUTSCHE PRESSE-AGENTUR in Singapore
A PROFESSPR whose survey revealed that many young Chinese Singaporeans would rather be Caucasian or Japanese yesterday defended his study of values in the city-state and criticised the controversy triggered by the findings.
The survey by Chang Han Yin, a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Singapore, showed that 25 per cent of the Chinese surveyed said they wished to be either Japanese or Caucasian and 18 per cent of Indians said they would opt to be Caucasian if given the choice. In contrast, nine out of 10 Malays said they would still choose to be Malay.
Several young people said they would prefer to have been born into another race, perceiving that would enhance their opportunities.
The survey's results prompted a deluge of letters to newspapers and calls to talk shows confirming or attacking the results, with some questioning the validity of the ethnic identity research.
In response to the outcry over the results from elder Singaporeans, Parliamentary Secretary Chan Soo Sen said there was no need to be alarmed by the desire of young Chinese Singaporeans to be foreigners.
"These young people are still searching for their own identities," Mr Chan said.
Chinese should treat the response as a very frank reply from "a group of people who may be a little naive, but do not mean any harm".
"Let the young people say their dreams out loud," said Mr Chan, recalling his own experiences as a student abroad with friends who felt the environment overseas was more liberal and less stressful.
In a letter to the Straits Times, Professor Chang said it was too early to judge his work since the survey was part of a larger project.
Political and ethical values, achievement, life-orientation, philosophy and identity were among the factors under study, as well as national, ethnic, work, family and personal inclinations.
Professor Chang, initially from China but now a Singapore citizen, said he planned to compare the outcome against values in countries such as China and the United States with the aim of identifying those, both Western and Asian, which were most effective.
While the answers to the ethnic identity question could not capture all the different dimensions posed by the survey, Professor Chang said they would be used as an indicator to measure a person's appreciation of and confidence and pride in his or her ethnic group.
The survey of 800 secondary and tertiary-level students found young Chinese Singaporeans who have weak ethnic identity tend to be more educated and to speak English at home.