Changing Times
We possess all that we want. Still, we require and crave for more. T h e y o u n g s t e r s o f t h i s generation are never satisfied with what they have. To be honest, I can say that I am too not too happy with all the benefits and pleasures that have been bestowed and given to me by family and society. I belong to this category (maybe the only single known one; exceptions may be considered away from the normal or are pretending to be) of adolescents who always have the urge to have more, obtain more, enjoy more and satisfy more. Our needs and desires are endless. This is the cohort today; striving to achieve all, to compete and obtain satisfaction; but what beyond it, when we have successfully achieved all these desires and requirements? Then there are more… more wishes to be fulfilled, more material things to be possessed, much more things to be gained. The endless wish list is the earmark of us youngsters.
With the developing world and its rapid technological advancement, we have entered the E world which attracts us to fly our own kites. Still, we fail to acknowledge those disadvantaged ones, who can just dream of having that delicious looking chocolate chip ice cream or a candy bar they see standing outside the supermarket, peering through its glasses, to just imagine savoring it. How many of them are out there who only envisage possessing something which we get without even being demanded for? It may not be wrong to say that we have been afforded pleasures by our parents to keep up with the notions of the materialistic world. It can be said as “spoilt” in some sense, but with the needs we have as of today, it doesn’t seem so.
Dating back to those young years of our parents, when their stipend used to be a mere Rs. 10 per day or even less, on the average our needs demand 10 times that amount as of now. This can be attributed to the lifestyles we youth pursue. The growing economy adds to the fact that the chocolate which cost just a rupee in those times cannot be afforded at the same price today, thankfully to the developmental rate because of which living a pleasurable life has increased in its dollar value. Who can imagine that today’s youth insist of relishing a coffee at Barista which costs not less than 50 bucks, when the same coffee (and a more appetizing one) can be enjoyed at just 5 rupees at the roadside tea stall? Lifestyle changes and the need to display our possessions and the contemplation “I-must-have-that” has increased the popularity of youngsters among their peer group and they feel it is a necessity to be in league with their generation.
The media has bagged the important role in influencing and directing the adolescents to urge them to procure the latest trends in fashion, which if not obtained will lower the dignity of the youth in their society. Now whoever said that? But it is for granted and doesn’t need to be shown substantial evidence to state that it is incorrect. But who is to blame? Neither the youngsters nor their peers! Not our parents (for pampering us and providing us that costly out-of-the-budget mobile phone) or the media for its apparent objective to profit from sales (ranging from designer jeans to lipsticks). It is Generation X. It is the age of the youth, the future of our country. And no one is to be held responsible for it. Are you to blame if you don’t have your profile on a social networking site when all others have? It is the dawn of an age of pragmatism and no paradox seems to exist. No thoughts seem to hinder when it is a matter of our desires and pleasures. Haven't yet possed that designer top you’ve been willing to buy since 2 weeks? Just go get it…
Sheeba Shamsudeen
BA (Journalism, Psychology & English)
