HDB : a class of its own : a study of intergenerational social class perceptions.

Abstract

This study uses housing and social class jointly to examine the unique housing situation in Singapore, with majority of its citizens (80%) residing in public housing – Housing Development Board (HDB) flats. Using 20 in-depth interviews, I examine the social class perceptions of young adults vis-à-vis their parents, all of whom are HDB residents. With a focus on structures, Bourdieu’s idea of the ‘habitus’ and the conception of the ‘other’ in the self concept will be used as a theoretical framework. Findings suggest that parents tend to view the house as a social symbol, with emphasis on the size of the house. Young adults see the house less as a social symbol, and place emphasis on the interior design. These changing perceptions of HDB residents have an impact on the state, and serve as a backdrop for future housing policies.