SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology Paulin Straughan shared her views on the recent study by the Institute of Policy Studies, which found that a majority of Singaporeans chose mother tongue and traditional festivals as important identity markers. While she noted the great importance that various ethnic groups placed on their mother tongue and traditional festivals, the awareness of ethnic traditions and heritage was comparatively weaker. Prof Straughan attributed this largely to the influence of national policies.
Prof Straughan also commented on the results of the study, which revealed that Singaporeans were more likely to view new citizens whose race falls within our four major ethnic groups as a "real Singaporean". She explained that Singaporeans are very accustomed to the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others (CMIO) framework, which has been internalised as a cultural marker, and should the new citizen possess these qualities, Singaporeans will find it easier to accept them.