Not in Singapore (Politics: Abortion Battle Lines Drawn in Mississippi )

Response of:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4792428.stm
Term 3 - Blog 2


I am composing this blog as a response of the article “Abortion Battle Lines Drawn in Mississippi”, published in the BBC website.

Basically, the article talks about the movement of anti-abortion believer in Mississippi, USA. The reporter wrote that the protestors were a bit over vigorous and enthusiastic on their movement at a level that they stopped every car passing by and ensure that the driver behind the tinted window take their literature.

This article raised up one of the hottest everlasting topic for debate, abortion. And in my blog, I would like to express my points on whether abortion should be legalized in Singapore or not.

In my personal view, I believed abortion should not be legalized in Singapore due to my perception that abortion is not suitable to be applied in Singapore. Why is that so?

Firstly, Singapore is a based-on-law country. And, in a law country, crime must be punished not be legalized. Because abortion is a crime, therefore it should not be legalized but be prevented instead.

Why do I consider abortion as a crime? Mahatma Gandhi was once quoted for saying “It is as clear as broad daylight that abortion is a crime”. The definition of abortion itself is the killing of a fetus before it reached the stage when it can have its own life, separated from its mother womb. While for killing, the definition is to take away the life from something that lives. Some people may argue that fetus doesn’t have a life. But, scientific results have proven that fetus, even since 20 days old, is alive. It produces brainwaves, generates heart beats, and is able to feel pain. Hence, it is alive. And, abortion can be considered as killing. In brief, abortion is a crime.

Secondly, Singapore is having a shortage of people. By legalizing abortion, it gives the people an option not to have children. Seeing the mentality of the most Singaporeans, I believe most of them might choose not to have children. As a result, the population of Singapore might be decreasing instead of increasing as the death rate is bigger than the growth rate. Of course, we wouldn’t opt for this to happen to our beloved country.

Last but not least, legalizing abortion might be encouraging teenagers to have pre-marital sex. They might think that it is ok to have pre-marital sex. Even if the girl becomes pregnant, they can always abort the children. Their lack of mental stability might make them forget about the fact that there are still guilt and shame that will pressurize them until their last day on Earth.

In summary, seeing the factors and conditions in Singapore, I believe that abortion is not suitable in Singapore. Hence, we should not legalize abortion in Singapore. Maybe abortion is acceptable to be applied in some countries, but not in Singapore.

(475 words)

If You Were Them (Teenager : Teen Drug Use and teen Drinking)

Response of:
http://www.helpyourteens.com/teen_drug_use_and_teen_drinking.html
Term 3 - Blog 1


I would like to share my views regarding the review written by P.U.R.E, an organization working in the field of teen problems.


Summarizing the article, the writer writes that the best way for parents to encounter with drugs and drinking problem is by seeking help from the professionals. In the earlier part of the essay, he mentions the possible causes of it and then he moves on with explaining how momentous the parents' first step is. Then, he concluded the essay by giving his advices, such as sending the teen straight away to a boarding school and residential treatment centre.


And now, in this article I would like to highlight the last point of his essay. Yes, 'sending the teen straight away to a boarding school'. Frankly speaking, I was a bit shocked and disappointed on hearing his opinions.


In my opinion, we must consider the feelings of the victims. Most of the victims that happen to be addicted must be mentally unstable. Hence, it is very crucial to ensure the stability of the mental condition of the victims to avoid things that we would not even dare to contemplate, like suicide for example. As such, by sending the teen to boarding school might give him or her the impression that they are not longer wanted by the family.


Let's try to think from their points of view.


Facing this kind of problem is not an easy burden for human being, moreover for teens. It is not impossible that they would think that everyone is despising them, all people around them hate them, and people who loved them don’t want them anymore. By so, sending them to places away from home, like boarding school, will only verify their ridiculous thought that they are no longer wanted. At this point of moments, could you imagine their feeling?


As a solution, I believe that the best medicine is love. Parents themselves are the ones and only helpers that they need. In my opinion, they should be the one who step up. They should accept the situation and condition, don’t blame the child, and then ask for a warm chat from heart to heart. “Together” is the only way that they may find the ‘ending’, the happy ‘ending’.


If you were them, what would you do when you are trapped alone in the middle of people despising you, giving you no chance to prove you are not that bad?

Wouldn't it be nice if you could ask for someone who loves you to stay beside you?

(423 words)