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Sociology
Many countries have allowed parents that belong to different races pick double barred race classification for their newborns. Singapore is one of the countries that have encouraged double barred race classification (Telotte, 2008). This knowledge implies that, the race of both parents should be registered on the child registration papers and identity cards. Cases of Mixed race children in Christian’s aspect are increasingly randomly in Singapore. In such cases, the children belong to both races. The main race has been which the parent registered first. The new implementation has been supported by many individuals while few opposing. On culture and social aspect the new ruling may be significant and insignificant (Telotte, 2008).
Socialization is the term used by sociologists that refer to process of acquiring norms, customs and ideologies. Children and adults acquire skills and habits through social interaction. A culture in any given country is formed through shared norms, social roles, values and languages. Socialization is therefore the mean by which social and cultural continuity is attained. However, this may not lead to desirable moral outcomes required in the society. Individuals may have differences in how they view economics and race. Human infants begin to acquire skills through socialization. This may be from parents, family together and extended social network. The learning is what makes the child acquire culture and social continuity. Racial socialization on the other hand, is the development process through which infants attain behaviors, values, norms and perception of an ethnic group. It is important to have preparation in preparing children to be aware of discrimination and cope with it. Racial socialization is commonly practiced in Singapore. Recently, statistics in 2008 show that, fourteen percent are inter-ethnic marriages and thirty one percent are Muslim marriages to Muslim marriages. Of the fourteen percent of non Muslims marriages, half are between Chinese grooms with other bride from other ethnic groups. The number of intermarriages is increasing rapidly (Martha, 1993). Singapore is becoming more ethnically in these statistics. Singapore government coming up with new measure of double-barred race classification is a significant move. The implementation is important in recognizing the variety races found within Singapore’s Diaspora (Telotte, 2008).
It is vital to note that, due to inter-ethnic marriage, there is a need to do away with race classification. By introducing double-barred racial classification Singapore Government is moving backwards for this will serve no policy or national unity purposes (Martha, 1993). This is due to the fact that, in the end it will confuse parents and children through implementation of public policies that operation within the country. This will also increase many to be multiracial Singapore. This change will not be useful in terms of policy consideration for those registered. The applicable governmental policies would make an ethnic individual to make a choice of learning the mother tongue language that is allowed by the ministry. In my opinion, this sound difficult. For instance, if a child is taking Chinese language as his mother tongue may experience difficulties in school if the language is not taught at home. However, if the language is taught at home it may be easier for the child to learn.
There is a relationship that exists between culture, social identity and ethnic identity. In sociology, each identity has a role in social position at any given set up. These three aspects affect interpersonal identity development that allows an individual to learn and acquire norms in the society. For instance, acquiring behaviors and having beliefs. Social identity has effect on a person’s behavior (Jenkins, 2008). An ethnic group is defined as a group of people that identify individuals on culture way of life through common heritage of a group that consist of common language, culture that may include a shared religion. Therefore, there is a relationship between ethnic identity along with social and culture identity through the aspect of identifying with each other by means of a common heritage (Martha, E (1993). This shared heritage may be used upon, kinship, language and sharing territory among others. Culture identity is defined as the identity of a group of individuals or culture that influences a group of people to belong to a specific culture. Culture is a vital factor in shaping identity. Culture identity determines variety aspects that include: place to be born, gender equality, race identity, history on different cultures, nationality identity, language, sexual orientation and religious beliefs. Cultural identity gives an individual a sense of belonging and social identity. Social identity has been defined as a primary method within social science that helps in defining individual culture and ethnic. For example, when looking at individuals this identity tends to examines how emotions influence intergroup social interaction along with its culture.
Based on this knowledge of the relationship that exists between culture, social identity and ethnic identity, the aspect of Singapore government allowing double barred race classification may have repercussion in ethnic and national identity (Martha,1993) . A child belonging to different races for instance, with a Chinese father and Malay mother might be a Chinese-Malay or else Malay- Chinese. Different studies have argued that implementing this change in multi-ethnic Singapore might be hard. An ethnic group for a child has significant impact in Singaporeans that include making choice in housing, education along with other policies that concerns the race. According to Hall, 1996, Singapore tends to move towards listing race on identity cards, other countries tend to shift away from this. Despite the fact that, over one hundred countries do have a national identity card to know the individuals in various ethnic groups, only twenty countries do list person’s race or ethnicity (Hall, 1996). However, the number of countries that list race is declining. While listing race in national identity cards is vital in Singapore, it can be far more insignificant in other countries. For instance, In Rwanda some of the deaths that occurred between Hutus and Tutsis were as a result of ethnic group that were being listed on national identity cards. Listing race and ethnicity may therefore result to discrimination or abuses in some countries. A number of countries are working to remove race or else ethnicity in national identity cards (Hall, 1996).
Race aspect is commonly acknowledged in government survey or national census. Governments with companies make use of this data in various aspects that include a policy decision that helps in giving loans and in university admission among others. Due to the sensitivity of race in United States for instance, there are often firm set of laws regarding the use of data and this is not placed on identity documents. The choice may be difficult even when individuals choose their race for a national census or other survey in the country. At other cases, organizations such as universities require applicants to include races so as to help the disadvantages group of races receive better treatment. Regardless of other countries opposing listing race on identity cards going, Singapore government seem to agree. The change was discussed in Parliament in January 2010. Ho Pang Kee the senior minister of state for Home Affairs supported the need for race classification. He viewed this as a country diversity and strength. To be politically correct unlike other countries such as France they avoid reflecting on differences of race (Hall, 1996). However, on my point of view, the problem of double-barred race classification still remain Complicated to parents that are required to choose races for their children to be listed on identity cards in future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the aspect of Singapore supporting double barreled is both significant and in significant. As discussed in this paper, due to the relationship that exists between culture, social identity and ethnic identity, the aspect of Singapore government allowing double barred race classification may have repercussion in ethnic and national identity. The implementation is important in recognizing the variety races in Singapore’s Diaspora while it may also lead to ethnic group wars as result of listing races in national identity cards. Listing race and ethnicity may therefore result to discrimination or abuses. On the other hand, this might be useful to the Governments and companies making use of data that is useful in various aspects that included in policy decision. The implementation may be of use in giving loans and in university admission among others (Hall, 1996).
Due to the sensitivity of race, different firms have set laws that regard the use of data that should not be placed on identity documents. The choice may be difficult even when individuals choose their race for a national census or other survey in the country. At other cases, organizations such as universities require applicants to include races so as to help the disadvantages group of races receive better treatment. Regardless of other countries opposing listing race on identity cards going, Singapore government seem to agree on the idea of double barreled (Hall, 1996).
References
Hall, S (1996). Questions of cultural identity. New York: Sage publishers
Jenkins, R (2008). Social identity. New York: Taylor& Francis publishers
John, J (1997). Language and social identity. United States: Cambridge University Press
Martha, E (1993). Ethnic identity: formation and transmission among Hispanics and other minorities. New York: Suny press publishers.
Telotte, J (2008). The essential science fiction television reader. United States: University Press of Kentucky
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