Clare Seah/ Youth Culture- Are the youth of today less rugged?

What does being rugged mean to you?

Ruggedness does not necessarily equate to fitness, it does not have to refer to being sturdy and strong. It can also refer to being mentally fit and self-reliance.

Being rugged, to me, means that being able to take on challenges which may surface in the near future, or challenges which may arise without warning.

In your experience, are the Singaporean youths of today less 'rugged' and why do your feel this way?

In my experience, i feel that the Singaporean youths of today are less 'rugged' as compared to the youth of the past.

People now a days are collapsing suddenly, and mostly due to heart problems or diseases. As stated in the article, 'Although sudden cardiac death may only hit someone with an underlying hear disease, doctors said a person's physical fitness level may affect the likelihood of him succumbing to both of these conditions.' Thus, the younger generation of Singaporean are growing up less physically rugged than their fathers.

Furthermore, youths of today are overly spoiled and pampered by their maids and parents. They are spoon-fed from young and get practically anything they ask for. Shopping and computer games are some of the indulgence the youth of today indulge in. They no longer run around their void decks or play at playgrounds, the way their fathers had. In the past, the kids were running here and there and everywhere. But now, kids are sitting in front of the computer playing games, doing homework, and eating. With so much fast food and junk food so easily available, how is it possible for the youths of today to be health and physically fit. The sudden physical stress might just kill some of them.

The older generation of today are commenting on how the youths of today are so pampered and spoilt, and how they are like tofu, are unable to suffer hardships, and how they worry about Singapore's future. Seeing that there are more and more deaths and causalities happening in these recent years, among the guys that are enlisted for National Service. The Singaporean youths of today are definitely less rugged than the youths of the past.

However, not all of these youths are less rugged than the youths of the past, as there are more and more youths taking part in activities such as biking and wakeboarding, and endurance sports events like triathlons and marathons. Now, there are more triathlons and marathons are being organised over the last few years.

Besides, there is a higher level of participation among students during PE lessons now, partly due to the more holistic and structured programme. Moreover, students are able to pick up game skill like basketball and soccer during PE lessons. Hence, so long students are in school or have some form of physical training, they are not as weak and maybe just as rugged as their fathers.

Though these factors are true, they do not apply to much of the Singaporean youth today. Singaporean youths of today are definitely less rugged, and it is important to instill an active and healthy lifestyle from young. Have you done that? If not, you should start instilling an active and healthy lifestyle now, as its never to late to start.

Thankyou. (: