Commenting on the younger workforce's values, SMU Associate Professor of Sociology Alwyn Lim said that while more young Singaporeans are embracing soft quitting and stricter work-life boundaries, others are doubling down on grindset culture. He noted that Singapore’s meritocratic and competitive environment fuels a high-ambition mindset, where hustle is often equated with success and respect, leading to pressure to overperform.
SMU Assistant Professor of Sociology (Education) George Wong said that younger workers today seek both career success and a sense of balance and purpose, reflecting rising societal expectations. He added that these pressures make it harder for them to manage these goals, especially when success also depends on intergenerational support and resources that not everyone has.
