POPULATION & GENDER ISSUES: RELEVANT ESSAY QUESTIONS
Alternative Family Arrangements
1. ‘Traditional marriage is an outdated concept.’ To what extent is this true of your society?
[Cambridge A Level, 2014]
2. ‘Marriage is an outdated institution.’ Comment. NYJC JC1 MY 2007
3. ‘Marriage without children is meaningless.’ Discuss. CJC JC1 MY 2008
4. “Materialism will be the death of the family.” Comment. IJC JC1 MY 2008
5. Do you agree that the family is becoming unimportant today? PJC JC1 MY 2010
6. 'Singlehood is becoming increasingly attractive today.’ How far is this true in your
society? TJC JC1 MY 2011
7. Should marriage be a life-long commitment? (A 1995)
8. Is the role of the family as important as it used to be? (A 1993)
9. Discuss the qualities of an ideal parent.
10. Do you consider singlehood a problem?
11. Is the idea of having one partner for life still a realistic one?
12. "Divorce is not a social or moral problem; it is a sensible and civilised solution." Do you
agree?
13. ‘The family has suffered at the expense of career in Singaporean society.’ Is this a fair
comment? (A 2003)
14. The traditional role of the father and mother is being threatened today. To what extent is
this true?
15. Consider the view that children always suffer when both parents work. (A 1998)
Population Imbalance (Ageing population, declining birth rates)
1. "Old people are a burden, not a blessing." Do you agree? [PJC JC1 MY 2007]
1. Singlehood is a more attractive option than marriage in today's modern society. Do you
agree? [PJC JC1 MY 2007]
2. "A shrinking population is not necessarily a problem." Comment. [ PJC JC1 MY 2007]
3. Are the elderly perceived to be more of a burden or resource? [VJC JC1 MY 2009]
4. “The elderly are regarded as a burden to society.” Is this true in your country? [SRJC JC1
MY 2010]
5. To what extent should the Singapore government be responsible for taking care of the
elderly? [MJC JC1 MY 2010]
6. Do you think it is better to be young or old? [TPJC Prelim, 2008]
7. What are the challenges facing the aged in Singapore? [PJC Prelim, 2006]
8. Is greater life expectancy always desirable? [Cambridge A Level, 1996]
9. ‘It is inevitable that the aged will be a liability’. How far is this an accurate reflection of
Singapore? [MI Prelim, 2006]
10. ‘The elderly are a stumbling block to progress.’ To what extent is this true of your
society? [IJC Prelim, 2007]
11. Is it true that the old must learn from the young? [Cambridge A Level, 2000]
12. “We worship the young and scorn the old.” What is your opinion? [RJC Prelim, 2007]
13. ‘Youth is full of pleasure, age is full of care’. Comment. [TPJC Prelim, 2007]
14. To what extent are the young in Singapore favored at the expense of the elderly?
[Cambridge A Level, 2004]
15. Too much attention is paid to the needs of the young and not enough for the aged. How
far do you think this is true of your country? [AJC Prelim, 2006]
16. “The mark of a civilised society is how they treat their elderly.” How far do you agree?
[CJC Prelim, 2008]
Migration
1. Countries depend too much on foreign talent. Discuss this statement in the light of your
society. MI PU2 MY 2011
2. ‘Foreigners have done nothing but good for Singapore.’ What is your view? NYJC JC1
MY 2011
3. In a competitive world, why should countries help each other? (ACJC Promo, 2002)
4. ‘The 21st century is moving towards a universal culture.’ Should this trend be
welcomed? (CJC Prelim, 2005)
5. "The global village is nothing more than a nightmare in the making." To what extent do
you agree? (ACJC Prelim, 2003)
6. Is patriotism a dangerous emotion in today’s world? (VJC Prelim, 2006)
7. “There can be no ‘win-win’ in international relationships.” How far do you agree? (MI
Promo, 2003)
8. As a member of the global community, how do you see your role as a world citizen?
9. "We are all prisoners of our geographic location." Assess the truth of this claim
Gender Issues
1. ‘The world would be a better place if more political leaders were women.’ What is your
view? [Cambridge A Level, 2013]
2. ‘History records male acts, written by males, and holds little interest for females as a
result.’ Is this a fair comment? [Cambridge A Level, 2009]
3. Consider the view that some careers are better suited to one gender than the other.
[Cambridge A Level, 2014]
4. In your society, how far is equality for all a reality? [Cambridge A Level, 2012]
5. ‘Women will never enjoy the same rights as men.’ Do you agree? [Cambridge A Level,
2006]
6. ‘The world of the future will be a women’s world.’ What are your views? [Cambridge A
Level, 1999]
7. ‘The grievances of women are a thing of the past.’ To what extent do you agree? [SRJC
Prelims, 2013]
8. Women should not seek equality with men. Discuss. [MJC Prelims, 2012]
9. ‘Women are not suitable for politics.’ To what extent is this true? [RI Prelims, 2012]
10. ‘The rise of women means the displacement of men.’ Discuss. [VJC Prelims, 2012]
11. ‘Men rather than women face greater challenges.’ Is this true today? [SAJC Prelims,
2011]
12. ‘Men should marry as late as possible; women should marry as soon as possible.’ Is this
sound advice? [VJC Prelims, 2011]
13. “All women are born slaves” Is this still true of this modern world? [NYJC Prelims, 2011]
14. ‘Women in the developed world have never had it so good.’ Do you agree? [RI Prelims,
2011]
15. Successful and confident. How accurate is this depiction of women in the world today?
[TPJC Prelims, 2011]
16. “Men are as much the victims of traditional gender roles as women.” Comment. [CJC
Prelims, 2010]
17. Do you agree that life for women is becoming increasingly attractive? [MI Prelims, 2010]
18. Is it true that too much attention has been paid to women’s rights in Singapore? [RVHS
Prelims, 2010]