FASS Vice-Dean Appointed New NMP

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Associate Professor Paulin Tay Straughan, also vicedean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Science, was among the nine Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) picked to voice non-partisan, alternative views on national issues in parliamentary debates.

She received her letter of appointment from President S R Nathan on 16 July and was sworn in before Parliament on 20 July, where she took her oath of allegiance in the House.

Said Professor Straughan, “It is a tremendous honour to be nominated by NUS, and an even greater privilege to be selected to serve. The greatest privilege that comes with this appointment is having a voice in Parliament, the highest level of policy discourse in the
nation.”

“With this privilege comes a tremendous responsibility, so I will have to broaden my scope now and be more aware of and involved in areas of social life that are outside of my own research interests.”

Professor Straughan has raised several issues concerning the family and youth that she intends to tackle during her two-and-a-half year term as an NMP.

Four of these include: children of inter-cultural marriages being forced to give up their Singapore citizenship; an overemphasis on children today on academic excellence; ways to engage youths other than via the Internet so that they do not become disenchanted with the system, and problems that arise from Singapore’s strong reliance on private insurance
for our health care needs.

“As more Singaporeans marry foreigners, we will have more children holding a dual citizenship. I think it is important that we find a way to help them hold on to their Singapore citizenship as well as the citizenship of the other parent. Otherwise, if we force them into a decision, as a nation, we will inevitably lose our homegrown.”

This issue of dual citizenship is something especially close to her heart. Married to an American, her two sons now enjoy both United States and Singapore citizenships but will have to renounce one when they reach 21 years old, according to the current regulations.

Her older son, 17-year-old Robbie, has been perplexed over the issue for the past two years. He feels deeply rooted to both his cultural heritages and is upset at having to give one up. He has told his mother that asking him to give up one citizenship is like making
him give up half his identity.

On the issue of hallmarks of excellence, Professor Straughan feels that we have become more demanding on our young today.

“Children in Singapore typically focus disproportionately on academic achievements,” she said, “and all this attention on moving up the academic pyramid is not necessarily healthy.”

“We train all our children’s attention on achieving in this one area. What happens when they find that they cannot move up? What does that do to their selfesteem and self-confidence?”

“There must be goals and aspirations that do not include obtaining a degree – simply because we can’t meet the demands for higher education at this point. So as a society, we have to develop a broad-based platform for recognizing achievement and talent.”

Professor Straughan would also like to see more avenues for Singaporean youths to engage in social discourse. She feels that unless they have opportunities to voice their opinions and formulate proposals, they will not be able to learn how to contribute meaningful discourse on national platforms.

“This way, youths would also be less reliant on the Internet for voicing discontent,” she said. In response to some not very constructive and meaningful Netizen’s discussions online, she commented, “I wish to see a society where our youths are not afraid to put
a face to their suggestions and feedback.”

She also added that it upsets her to hear comments that Singaporean youths do not speak up.

“Here at NUS, I love teaching because I meet bright young minds in the classroom who are eager to engage in academic discourse. NUS students are an awesome lot! They are warm, respectful, interactive, and so bright!”

“I think when we take the time to engage each of you students as individuals, the gems surface. That is why I strongly believe that when the conditions are conducive, our youths will stand up and want to be counted.”

“It is okay to not sound polished or effective when you speak the first few times. Communication skills improve with practice. What’s important is that we must allow opportunities for youths to speak up, for they are the next generation of leaders for our society.”

Professor Straughan’s final concern, which she feels very strongly about, has to do with social inequality and medical sociology.

As Singapore move towards a strong reliance on private insurance for our people’s health care needs, she feels that there must be a regulatory body that looks into ensuring that no one is left in the gap.

She said, “Right now, it is up to private insurance companies to decide if they want to insure an applicant. We know of people who have been diagnosed with chronic ailments but are systematically rejected by all the private players.”

“Now, just because you have cancer does not mean that you should not be insured for hospitalization. What if the cancer patient breaks a leg? That has nothing to do with his cancer, and yet private insurers will categorically label him as belonging to the high
risk group and deny him coverage.”

“This is not right and not healthy for Singapore. We need regulations that prevent indiscriminate exclusion of deserving Singaporeans from the insurance system.”

Professor Straughan was among the nine successful candidates whittled down from a list of 46 who have met the criteria of having rendered distinguished public service, brought honour to Singapore, or distinguished themselves in their fields.

She has been involved in various people-sector committees including the Expert Panel, Medical and Dental Board of Health Promotion Board, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sport, SingHealth Women’s Advisory Council and the inaugural National Family Council.

In addition, she also chairs the Social Development Unit Accreditation Council, sits on the Board of Council for the Third Age (C3A), a pro-elderly organization, and is a Family Research Advisor on Family Research Network.

Her passion for family issues is not entirely accidental. Her own family has always been very supportive in all her endeavours, including her recent NMP appointment. Said Professor Straughan, “I am blessed with a wonderful family, and a lot of what I manage to achieve has to be credited to their strong support.”

“My husband is my best friend, always there for me no matter how grouchy I get. To have someone to partner me in this life journey—through good and challenging times—is a tremendous blessing. That is why I strongly endorse marriage and family formation.”

“My sons are both wonderful boys! Robbie, in JC (Junior College) 1, is so mature and responsible. And Tim, in Secondary 2, remains mummy’s baby. From when they were very young, my husband and I have enjoyed a healthy, open communication with them. And they talk a lot! Sometimes, my husband and I don’t even manage to get a sentence in! But that’s healthy. It’s in speaking to one another that we solidify our bond as family.”

“Growing up, I lived in a 3-room HDB apartment with my family of six members. My mother worked very hard as a nurse to provide for us. Neither of my parents received tertiary education but I was very blessed to secure a place in an excellent school – CHIJ
Victoria Street.”

“Though my home environment was not totally conducive for learning, my school was. I was from a lower middle class family, but my classmates were from middle class and professional backgrounds and they all aspired to be doctors and lawyers. So I learned to dream. And I grew aspirations that eventually took me to the US for my graduate studies.”

“But even now, I can still recall, for instance, my maternal grandmother who looked after me in my growing up years – how every day, she would watch out for me from the ninth floor kitchen window as I was returning from school. Running across the road from the bus stop, I would see her little head just peeking over the window ledge.”

“Family is so important. My family did not have much financially but they loved me and cared for me. Eventually, this spurred my interest in studying family sociology on the academic front.”

As an NMP now, her job is to look at societal issues as an independent observer and an active stakeholder. She feels that not having to follow any political party’s agenda allows her to contribute meaningfully and freely the “independent, neutral, non-partisan views”
that the Parliament seeks.

“I also think that the NMP scheme will help ordinary Singaporeans play a bigger role in decision debates at the national platform,” she added.

“For example, if not for the NMP privilege, I don’t think I would have the opportunity to participate in Parliament. This is because I never envisaged entering politics. I am a happy academic.”