Voices Of Youth

Senior citizens not burden, but gems

It is very heartening to see that the Government is implementing so many programmes, such as the Pioneer Generation Package, to benefit senior citizens.

Such initiatives will help seniors feel appreciated and this will, in turn, create a sense of connectivity and trust between the Government and them.

The initiatives will also increase the public's awareness of the need to thank senior citizens, who have contributed to building Singapore.

This will help to counter ageism here ("Ageism 'more common' than sexism or racism"; last Thursday).

Senior citizens are not a drain on the economy. They are able to upgrade themselves by attending courses organised by community centres. Some remain in the workforce, while some mentor the younger generation.

Rather than being a burden, they are valuable gems in the population.

Chua Swee Kune, 16,
Secondary 4 student

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 07, 2015, with the headline Senior citizens not burden, but gems. Subscribe