Just what is wrong with cleaning toilets? Is it worse to clean a public toilet than the one at home?
Toilet cleaning is an essential service and an honest job. I respect people who use their labour and time to do an honest job, such as cleaning toilets, rather than those who reject these jobs as 'dirty' and wait for someone else to do it.
Elderly job seekers who have no qualifications or skills naturally settle for jobs they can do. A job helps them maintain their physical and mental well-being, gives them the dignity which comes with earning their keep, and occupies their time fruitfully. It also gives them an opportunity to socialise and keep abreast of things happening in the world today.
If an elderly person chooses to work, we should respect him all the more for it, regardless of what job he does or whether his children are able to support him.
Many Singaporeans still think it will reflect poorly on them if others were to find out that their parents clean public toilets. And many here think that a person is not taking good enough care of his parent if that parent has to work as a toilet cleaner.
It has to do with one's mindset: We must stop thinking that cleaning jobs are undesirable.
If our forefathers had not toiled, laboured and cleaned, we will not be here today.
Value hard work and recognise such efforts.
Filial piety is not about having a parent sit at home with a maid. Rather, it is about letting your parents do what makes them happy. Some may choose to take up a hobby, or religious or charitable causes, while others may choose to work. Respect that.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on May 11, 2008
