Week 5- Term 3

"Government acts to curb younger smoker"

1. What are the measures to curb smoking?

The government has increased fines for smoking, banned the sale of certain tobacco products and lowered the permit of tobacco and nicotine level. Retailers who are caught selling cigarettes to those who are underage will have their license revoked instead of suspending the license for six months or fined up to $10000. The government has increased the packing size of cigarettes from 10 to 20 to make it more expensive for students to buy them. Labelling the cigarette packing such as '"light" ,"mild' and "ultra light" will be banned as this misleads the students.

2.How successful do you think these measures would be? Support your answer with reasons.

It might not be successful as expected. Students are able to afford the packs now- they're a mere $10 to $15. Therefore, it does not make any difference if they get a bigger pack. Instead, they will smoke more. Furthermore, most students actually get their cigarettes from their older friends or from those selling contraband cigarettes. Instead, they should educate them from young about the harms of smoking, increase in the defence against contraband cigarettes and instead, pack them in smaller sizes but sell them just as much. That way, they can actually feel the hole in their pocket.

Week 4- Term 3

Article 1:"Her world's a stage" -Straits Times IN section Page 41.
a) Do you consider yourself a artistic person?

I'm more dramatic than I'm artistic, actually. I'm able to appreciate a canvas slapped with paint even though it looks weird. I am interested in art, but I can't paint or draw well. I think I can speak and act okay though.

b) What are your opinions of the theater in Singapore?

Generally speaking, it's good. Theatre in Singapore is a small group and it's nice to hear that there is support even when it's not in school. And since the group it small, everyone thrives for the best they can. The theatres themselves are good, and the kids have a ground to showcase their talents.

Straits Times Reflection Week 6

Article: “Help for single mums in downturn”

Question 1:What project was launched to help single mums? Briefly explain what is this project about?

Project WeCare for U was launched by NTUC to help the single mums in the downturn. The aim of this project is to find jobs for single mums in this economic crisis. Apart from that, it aims to encourage people who cannot go out and work to make use of their skills like baking and sewing.

Question 2:Imagine you come across a single mum who is unemployed, what are some advice you can give her? Who can she turn to?

I cannot really give her good advice because I'm probably much younger than her so I'm less experienced, but I would tell her to stay strong and prove to people that she could do it. I would also direct her to groups that help single mums like the Project WeCare for U by NTUC.

Straits times #2

What are some reasons stated in the article why some people choose to have body art like tattoos or piercings done on parts of their body?

Some of the reasons stated in the article are the desire to be different from others as well as to attract attention to themselves.

What are some impressions you would form of a person whose body is covered with tattoo?

My first impression would be that they're tough and probably part of a gang. It depends, actually. If the tattoo is a picture of a dog or probably something small and unique like Xia Xue's snowflake (http://xiaxue.blogspot.com) , then I'll think that they're just trying to be different and original.

Would you consider getting a tattoo in future? Why?

I would not consider having a tattoo in the future. It taints my skin forever and I would get bored of it and will want to change it, so why bother? Besides, it might make a bad first impression in job interviews.

R #1

"Sharp rise in girls under 16 having sex"

Q1:
State any two reasons mentioned in the article which contributes to the sharp rise in girls under 16 having sex.

The article mentioned some reasons which contributes to the sharp rise in girls under 16 having sex. One of the reasons is that these girls were under the pressure to give themselves to their boyfriends in order to show their love for them.

Another main reason is their desire for a closer connection with their boyfriends.

Q2:
What are some of your reactions after reading this article? If one day, a close friend of yours confess to you that he/she has been engaging in sex, what would your advice to him/her be?

My first reaction was neutral, actually. This was not the least bit shocking to me because I have heard of people talking about sex and losing their virginity. However, I feel that these girls do not have the least bit of self-respect in them. It was a taboo, and now it's "it" for some of these girls.

It puzzles me; how these girls think. If a girl was pressurized by her boyfriend to have sex & therefore is unwilling to do it, why should she? Even if her excuse was to show that she loved her boyfriend, her unwillingness shows nothing.

If a close friend of mine confesses to me that she has been engaging in sex, I would probably ask her if she was pressurized or if she was willing to do it. If she was pressurized, then I would advice her to break up with her boyfriend because that means that her boyfriend does not show love to her.

However, if she was willing to do it then I would probably advice her to use condoms and contraceptives just in case she gets a Sexually Transmitted Disease. It was her choice afterall, and I am not in a position to stop her, so the best I can do is to tell her to do it carefully.