Second Article Review (Teenage Issues):
Youth Gambling: Nipping it in the bud
Source: The Straits Times YOUTHInk , 16 February 2007;
Newslink - "Youth gambling: Nipping it in the bud"
It’s Chinese New Year again. A festive season in which people eat, drink and have fun. Yes, it’s the time when people gamble and play card games with money again. Have you ever enjoyed the thrill of winning, or the bitterness of losing money before? If so, I think it’s a good time to stop in this Year of the Pig.
In the article, they state that many people started gambling at the age of 18 to 24 and in my opinion, that’s a great cause for worry. I’m very sure that we would definitely not want to breed more and more problem gamblers in our society, especially when the Integrated Resorts are going to be completed. To what I think, preventing teenagers from falling into the trap of gambling is extremely important and that parents must play a part to make this happen.
As a teenager, I must applaud the move from the Government in wanting to nip the problem of youth gambling “in the bud” through “interactive” and fun methods. It’s very important to be able to put across points and engage us so as to generate fruitful discussions and give us great insights about the problems of gambling.
Perhaps, having a serial drama about the minuses of gambling and show how it actually destroys people’s future, or having interesting and eye-catching advertisements to dissuade people from gambling broadcasted through the mass media could be good ways to educate the general public in Singapore.
However, the onus is still on us, no matter how much others may persuade or advise us, to know the faults of gambling and understand the importance of not starting it ourselves. It’s our responsibility to do our part for the better of this society.
Apart from that, I think the availability of help to those gambling addicts is undeniably very important. Imagine yourself being ostracized by your family and friends, when you are having a problem from controlling yourself. Lost and despair are what they feel, and because of this, some of them find no meaning in turning back or even living.
By giving counseling and a helping hand to those people, not only teenagers, who are having problems, many of them can be saved from this abyss of pain and suffering. I may not be the one who have these problems, but I’ve seen many families being torn apart because of this sinful addiction. It would be very sad to see many people suffer in the future because of us not being able to prevent more from falling into this vicious cycle.
Gambling is a game. A game that have been proven to make nobody win, but everybody to lose. It is an indulgence that people shouldn’t take to and a thing that teenagers should never even have the thought of starting. In my opinion, now is a good time for us to consider and examine more ways to prevent gambling in our society.
What’s your take on this then?
Labels: English Blog Article
First Article Review (Political/Social):
Allow the sale of human organs?
Source: The Straits Times, 18 January 2007;
http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/news/0701/pdf/Organs-ST-18Jan-pH1.pdf
“The sale of human organs.” What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read this? In the past, I would've been extremely disgusted at the very thought of trading cold, hard cash for one's organ. However, what are the reasons for people supporting this "unethical trade"? Are they actually valid?
There are actually many ideals in allowing the sale of human organs. In my opinion, the prospect of money would definitely encourage more people to step out and donate their organs while supposedly, “no one will be harmed in the process but a life could be saved” and this is what all of us want.
Moreover, the donation of human organs had already been on-going for a long time and saving people’s lives has always been the sole principle for why people are willing to do so. As quoted from Associate Professor Lee Wei Ling, “As long as donors are aware if the risks and money makes them more willing to give up their organs to save lives, what’s wrong with that?”
Being pro-life, I completely agree with Ms. Lee that more lives could be saved through this. However, what could be the possible negative implications if this is allowed? Should they be neglected then?
As quoted from Professor Alastair Campbell, “Treating the body as a saleable asset is regarded by many to be morally wrong”. Personally, I believe that it is ethically unacceptable and believe that there will definitely be cases of abuse by people who sell their organs to pay off their debts or, in the case of drug addicts, to feed their addiction to drugs if this act is allowed in our society.
Some people say that ethics is just irrelevant in the face of death. Being a healthy person, I must admit that I do not completely understand the pain of those who are undergoing the suffering and torture. Who knows? Perhaps if I was disease-stricken, I may also be willing to use money to “buy” my freedom from the illness.
However, despite trying to empathize with patients who are suffering, I still believe that the possible trading of another individual’s health for one's benefit is wrong. Many people argue that a kidney donor can still lead a normal life, but have they thought of this possibly jeopardizing his or her health? All in all, there will still be risks in every operation. In my opinion, it is unfair and unjustly to make someone suffer in your place, just because of a "monetary transaction".
In conclusion, I do agree with the ideals in wanting to allow the sale of human organs, and would certainly want more lives to be saved. However, upon weighing the cons of the possible disintegration of social integrity, the exploitation of the poor and harm inflicted on more people by allowing such practices, I would still stay steadfast to my belief that the sale of human organs should not be allowed in
So, what say you?
Labels: English Blog Article
