Growing up in Singapore, did you ever experience something that seemed a bit off, but you only realised how messed up it was years later? You’re not alone. Many Singaporeans have shared similar experiences on Reddit, uncovering some uncomfortable truths about our childhoods.
Current SG Childhood Experiences
- Predatory behavior by adults in positions of authority, such as teachers or religious leaders.
“There was this middle aged canteen operator in my primary school… They didn’t have to pay for their lunch and gets a weekly allowance from him. They go to over to his house frequently. One of the boys who went over to his house once saw another boy in bed with him.”
- The pressure to conform and excel academically, leading to a loss of childhood innocence. Many Reddit users shared how the relentless pursuit of grades and tuition robbed them of their free time and joy.
“Everyone else around me slowly being sent to tuition/extra lessons regardless if they need it or not while I spend my free time doing what I like and what I want. And how everyone suddenly look like they lost their spark as kids.”
- Inappropriate behavior during school activities, like orientation camps, and the normalisation of these behaviors.
“Those weird activities you had to take part in during uni orientation camp at local unis… Seriously WTF. Can’t believe this shit was normal back in the early 2010s but honestly none of us even blinked.”
SG Childhood: Challenges
- Difficulty in recognising and reporting abuse or inappropriate behavior due to a lack of awareness and understanding at a young age.
“When I was around 16 years old… My supervisor… will sometimes stroke my right arm while he’s driving. Eww… Is he being a pedophile??”
- The tendency to dismiss or downplay serious issues, especially within religious or community settings, prioritizing “forgiveness” over accountability.
“Thing is, we always put people we get to know from religious organisations on a pedestal. When things screw up, we sweep matters under the carpet, disguising it as **forgiveness**, but ignore the responsibility part.”
- The lasting impact of these experiences on mental health and well-being, even years later. Some Reddit users shared how these incidents continue to affect them, leading to feelings of anger, confusion, and trauma.
“I’ve come to the realisation i might have been a victim too. It’s been over 30years now.”
Smart Ways to Handle Childhood Trauma
- Openly discuss these issues and break the silence surrounding abuse and inappropriate behavior.
“Eh it’s never too late to report these predators leh. We need to shine a light on this kinda thing so they are brought to justice and younger generations are protected.”
- Educate children about personal boundaries, consent, and how to recognise and report abuse.
“What we need to do is to teach boys that they can be preyed on as well, by people of any gender. And how they need to speak up, with adults learning how to be supportive instead of being dismissive because they’re boys.”
- Encourage a culture of accountability and reporting within schools, religious organisations, and other community settings.
“I hope that if someone shares with any of us about such issues, we will have the guts to make a police report or speak to the religious leaders, if necessary.”
- Seek professional help and support to process and heal from past traumas.
- Promote healthy discussions about age gaps in relationships and the importance of consent, especially when there is a power imbalance.
Related Discussions
Topic Overview
