(Part One)

General Introduction: Youth in third world countries has been regarded as in a transient period between the unconcerned days of childhood and the assumption of social responsibilities associated with adulthood. In this period the aspirations of youth differ between urban and rural within the country and between urban youths of different countries, in conformity to social norms. In very competitive societies like S'pore and Tokyo, youths face stress in their struggle for achievement: the emphasis on success is overwhelming and total. Social pressures on these groups have reached peak levels.

Youth, unlike the stereotyped characters perpetuated through films and television, is infinitely complex and diverse in its behaviour. Though the early formative years of childhood provide the background for character development, the individual during his adolescence will start to shun part of his narcissism and learn to relate to others.

At this stage he begins to develop a sense of responsibility and to define for himself a purpose in life. This realm of consciousness widens as he learns about the system of values around him. He starts thinking for himself, but at the same time is extremely vulnerable and open to suggestions and influences from adults, the peer group and media.

Youth's problem, in this period, is a duality in character: the problem of identity-seeking and desire for self-assertiveness juxtaposed with a compulsion to conform.

Confronted with such extreme influences, confusion results but in a competitive developing society such as S'pore, youths have to pretty much put aside confusion and get down to the business of survival. This is done chiefly through adjustment and adaptation of the dominant values and ideals around them and the consequent result is compromise, sometimes rationalization or resignation.

Even student leaders, professing radicalism in their student days, shed their fervour and revolutionary zeal and go about the business of job-hunting like everyone else.