- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
- 0
May 25, 2010
Lack of wholesome late-night venues
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I AGREE with some industry players that there are too many "super clubs" being set up now ("Super clubs: Fun on the beach, dining on the roof"; last Friday).
However, my take on the issue is less about profit margins and more about the overall moral tone of our society. What message are we sending to young people? Given that these clubs exude a sense of glamour and allure, we are encouraging young people to take up the clubbing lifestyle and pick up drinking, smoking and promiscuous activities.
It is ironic that on the one hand, we have all sorts of campaigns advising people not to smoke and drink, yet on the other hand, we continue to create even more lifestyle platforms that reinforce these bad habits.
This pertains not just to clubs but also to bars and lounges islandwide, many of which are sprouting up nearer to residential enclaves. Inevitably, a clubbing lifestyle encourages and leads to many health and social problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, alcoholism, drug abuse and sex crimes.
The authorities should broaden their definition of "nightlife" beyond clubs and bars. What makes a city vibrant is the availability of different activities for different target groups. For example, in Hong Kong, it is the proliferation of many shopping streets and eateries well past midnight, while Taiwan has the Shilin night market.
The problem in Singapore is a dearth of wholesome late-night venues where families and friends can hang out. We need a wider variety of late-night clusters for shopping, dining and hanging out beyond watering holes, such as food streets and flea markets.
I am not against the clubbing lifestyle. I am just concerned about creating easy access to smoking and drinking for impressionable youths, and also the lack of supervision in safeguarding the moral tone of our society.
Parents should start early in educating their children not to fall for the illusion of a glamorous clubbing lifestyle before it is too late.
Kevin Chew
Lack of wholesome late-night venues
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
I AGREE with some industry players that there are too many "super clubs" being set up now ("Super clubs: Fun on the beach, dining on the roof"; last Friday).
However, my take on the issue is less about profit margins and more about the overall moral tone of our society. What message are we sending to young people? Given that these clubs exude a sense of glamour and allure, we are encouraging young people to take up the clubbing lifestyle and pick up drinking, smoking and promiscuous activities.
It is ironic that on the one hand, we have all sorts of campaigns advising people not to smoke and drink, yet on the other hand, we continue to create even more lifestyle platforms that reinforce these bad habits.
This pertains not just to clubs but also to bars and lounges islandwide, many of which are sprouting up nearer to residential enclaves. Inevitably, a clubbing lifestyle encourages and leads to many health and social problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, alcoholism, drug abuse and sex crimes.
The authorities should broaden their definition of "nightlife" beyond clubs and bars. What makes a city vibrant is the availability of different activities for different target groups. For example, in Hong Kong, it is the proliferation of many shopping streets and eateries well past midnight, while Taiwan has the Shilin night market.
The problem in Singapore is a dearth of wholesome late-night venues where families and friends can hang out. We need a wider variety of late-night clusters for shopping, dining and hanging out beyond watering holes, such as food streets and flea markets.
I am not against the clubbing lifestyle. I am just concerned about creating easy access to smoking and drinking for impressionable youths, and also the lack of supervision in safeguarding the moral tone of our society.
Parents should start early in educating their children not to fall for the illusion of a glamorous clubbing lifestyle before it is too late.
Kevin Chew
