Hello fellow readers of TRS,
I am new to writing articles of socio-political issues about Singapore. This would be my first long article here, so if there is any error in the facts, feel free to point it out.
As TRS has a wide viewership, I would try to make this article as short and simplified as possible. I will write a short summary below.
PLEASE RESPECT EACH OTHER IN THE COMMENTS. THIS POST IS SPECULATIVE AND IT IS WRITTEN TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND EDUCATED DISCUSSIONS.
What is the Strauss-Howe Generation Theory?
It is the theory written by two men called William Strauss and Neil Howe. Basically what the theory says is that each generation produced in a certain period of time have different character and attributes. And because of this, each generation will ultimately change the fate of the future. For the sake of the length of this article, I would be sticking to only 2 generations:
Generation X (1961 – 1981) People who are (33 years old – 53 years old)
Millennial Generation (1982 -2004) People who are (10 years old - 32 years old)
To fast forward things up a bit, the Strauss-Howe Generation Theory says that people in Generation X, are people who are under the awakening section. These are the people who attack the government or institution due to personal or religious issues. These people typically start the attack when society is at its peak. These people are tired of social discipline.
In short: These people want change, especially their government or bosses.
By the time the people in the Millennial generation rise to power (i.e adulthood), the government or institution is already weak and distrusted. This is where individualism is at its peak. Even though this seems positive.
It creates a lot of problems; people in this generation will spark the culture war. Gays vs straight. Abortion vs pregnancy. Progressive vs literal. Apple vs Android. Xbox vs PS. You name it.
In short, people in the Millennial generation will be more selfish and more self-righteous. There will be many conflicts on ideas.
Singapore and Strauss-Howe Generation Theory
Right now, you have probably read a huge amount of news and articles about the recent protest in Hong Lim park about rights etc. The Strauss-Howe Generation Theory states that Gen X would not like to idolize their leaders and would like to push for a long term change in government or institutional systematic change through economic, media and consumer actions. This is probably the reason why there are so much political unrest in Singapore.
Xenophobia is an increasing problem in Singapore as well due to the high influx of forenigners. Fortunately, the Millennial generation is tolerant of people from different cultures. Ironically, people in the Millennial generation like to create categories. PRC vs Singaporean Chinese. Indians vs Sinhalese. Gay vs Straight. Statistically, the Millennial generation is thought to be more integrative and more understanding. But the theory states otherwise
So what do you think TRS readers? Is the change of governance inevitable? Is xenophobia inevitable? Well to me, if this were to be predicted correctly by the theory, we should be prepared for it and try to educate the public.
SUMMARY
The Strauss-Howe Generation theory says that the older generation are the ones who will push for a change in governance while the younger generation will be more accepting to those towards the society. However, they could be the ones who might start a culture war. What do you think?
Feel free to read more about the The Strauss-Howe Generation theory. There are other interesting things to note. For example, people in the millennial generation are more narcissistic and materialistic. They are careless in spending money. The people in Generation X are more family oriented.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss%E2%80%93Howe_generational_theory
Jermone
TRS Contributor