GESS 2025 SS Issue 2 Summary Notes (Chap 5, 6, 7)

GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL Humanities Department – Social Studies “To nurture knowledgeable and committed citizens with a global outlook and skills for the future” Name: ____________________ ( ) Class: _______ Date: _______ Social Studies Issue 2 Chapters 5 - 7 Summary Notes Note: These summary notes contain samples of how you can provide Examples and Explanations for a Structured Response Question. These notes are meant to supplement studying of the Social Studies Coursebook.

Issue 2: Living in a Diverse Society Guiding Questions Core Content 5. What are the factors that shape identity and contribute to a diverse society? • Factors that shape identity and contribute to a diverse society o Race and ethnicity o Religion o Socio-economic status o Nationality 6. What are the experiences and effects of living in a diverse society? 7. How can we respond to diversity in society? • Interactions in a diverse community and common space • Experiences and effects of living in a diverse society o Cultural exchange and appreciation o Exchange of knowledge and skills o Stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination o Competition for resources • Responding to socio-cultural diversity Responses of citizens o Responses of individuals o Responses of community groups Responses of governments o Assimilationist policies in France o Tensions arising from assimilationist policies in France o Integration policies in Singapore o Tensions arising from integration policies in Singapore • Responding to socio-economic diversity Responses of citizens o Responses of individuals o Responses of community groups Responses of governments o Government-financed approach in Sweden o Challenges faced by Sweden o Shared-responsibility approach in Singapore o Challenges faced by Singapore

GESS/SS/Issue 2/Chapter6 3 Summary Notes for Chapter 5: What are the Factors that Shape Identity and Contribute to Diversity? POINT Race & Ethnicity Religion Socio-economic Status (SES) Nationality EXAMPLE CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others) • The different races in Singapore have their own cultural practices. • For example, we have different festivals like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali. • The Chinese may give out red packets during Chinese New Year, while Malays may give out green packets during Hari Raya. Religion • Religions influence our way of life. Although they share common beliefs of love and respect, there are differences between the religions. • For example, they have different dietary restrictions like Muslims do not eat pork while Buddhists and Hindus do not eat beef. Socio-economic Status (SES) • Singaporeans have different levels of income, wealth and housing. • For example, Singaporeans with higher SES may live in condominiums or landed properties. They may eat more at expensive restaurants and have hobbies like golf. • In contrast, most Singaporeans live in HDB flats. Activities like basketball are enjoyed by all SES groups as facilities are easily accessible. Singaporean Identity • People of the same nationality share a common history, language and set of practices. • For example, besides using English as a common language in schools, Singaporeans all use Singlish in our everyday lives. We also have a common love for local cuisine like laksa or chicken rice. • Immigrants of other nationalities like Malaysians or Koreans also bring their unique cultures here. EXPLAIN (SAMPLE) How this shapes identity and contributes to diversity: • People with the same race & ethnicity feel more comfortable with one another as they share many commonalities. • They interact together more and see themselves as one group. • Different races in Singapore have different sets of culture, and this creates diversity in Singapore. How this shapes identity and contributes to diversity: • People with the same religions feel more comfortable with one another as they share many commonalities. • They interact together more and see themselves as one group. • Different religions have different sets of culture, and this creates diversity in Singapore. How this shapes identity and contributes to diversity: • People with similar SES feel more comfortable with one another as they share many commonalities. • They interact together more and see themselves as one group. • People of different SES have different lifestyles, and this creates diversity in Singapore. How this shapes identity and contributes to diversity: • People with the same nationality feel more comfortable with one another as they share many commonalities. • They interact together more and see themselves as one group. • Different nationalities in Singapore bring their different sets of culture, and this creates diversity. IMPORTANT KNOWLEDGE Race vs Ethnicity: Race refers more to biological traits while Ethnicity refers to cultural heritage Double-barrelled: A double- barrelled race option is available for Singaporean children with parents of different races (e.g. Indian-Malay) Poverty Line: The minimum income needed to have a sustainable livelihood PMETs: Professionals, Managers, Executives & Technicians (a term for ‘white-collar’ jobs held by the middle SES)

GESS/SS/Issue 2/Chapter6 4 Summary Notes for Chapter 5: How can Factors of Diversity Lead to Disharmony? POINT Race & Ethnicity Religion Socio-economic Status (SES) Nationality EXAMPLE ‘Nets advertisement’ incident • Nets had an advertisement to show that their payment card can be used by all races. • They featured the same Chinese actor portraying different races, with his skin darkened to portray a Malay and an Indian. ‘Pastor’ incident • A Christian pastor released online videos that ridiculed the beliefs of Buddhists and Taoists. ‘Public transport’ incident • A Permanent Resident having a high-paying job in Singapore travelled on MRT when he had to send his luxury car to the workshop. • He then posted on social media to insult public transport users as being poor and having a stench. ‘Curry’ incident • A migrant family from China complained about the smell of curry from their Singaporean Indian neighbour’s home. EXPLAIN (SAMPLE) How this may lead to disharmony: • Some people of minority races felt offended at the insensitivity of choosing to darken the skin instead of hiring actors of the different races. • Some responded with negative remarks towards the Chinese community. • The Chinese may feel unfair that they were targeted because of one incident. • Misunderstandings can lead to unhappiness and tension between the races. How this may lead to disharmony: • Some Buddhists and Taoists felt offended and angry that they were insulted. • Some responded with negative remarks towards the Christian community. • Christians felt unfair that they were targeted because of the actions of one person. • Misunderstandings led to unhappiness and tension between the religions. How this may lead to disharmony: • Some Singaporeans of various SES felt offended and angry at his insults. • Some responded with negative remarks towards the rich. • The rich felt unfair that they were targeted because of the actions of one person. • Misunderstandings led to unhappiness and tension between Singaporeans of different SES. How this may lead to disharmony: • Some Singaporeans felt offended that foreign migrants are not embracing local culture. • Some responded with negative remarks towards the migrant community. • Foreign migrants felt unfair that they were discriminated because of the actions of one