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The Youth - A Confused Generation


THE YOUTH - A CONFUSED GENERATION

  It is a widely known fact that the age of youth is the peak of most of our lives. This age brings with it energy, liveliness, and excitement. One feels ready to take on the world. Somehow, at the same time, one also faces a lot of tough choices. Choices that have the power to make or break our future.

  The age range of mid-teens to mid-twenties prove to be a hard time for each one of us. Hormonal and bodily changes are some of the major changes that take place. However, part of the issue also lies in our system of education. Up until the age of about sixteen, we are told how what to do, how to dress, how to talk, and how to behave. The emphasis lies on obeisance. All of a sudden we are thrust into college. Here we are faced with so many choices ranging right from what to wear to which subject to study. This is a drastic change and leaves us lost as opposed to the required gradual progression to being taught the basic virtues to being able to think for ourselves.

  Another factor that causes chaos is the constant balancing act of trying to fulfill what our parents and peers want from us and at the same time, trying to reach for our own aims and desires. Our parents come from a time different from our own and hence their ideals may not be similar to our own. Yet, there is a constant tug-of-war in our minds as no child wants to disappoint their parents.

  At a time in life when we are still trying to figure ourselves out, learning new concepts and accepting ourselves as active members of the society, modern media plays an important role. Western influence has a part to play here. We may learn new ideas and concepts from western culture but it is difficult to adapt these as our context is much different. Our environment, population, and culture is much to different to receive the same kind of feedback.

  Lastly, youth is always a turbulent phase in one’s life but this should not hinder us from achieving our goals and enjoying our lives. After all, it is this very youth that has the power to turn the world around.

- Hayati Shah

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