WHAT IS IT TURNING
INTO???
Where heading to discos and clubs was once the fancy
of the rich and sophisticated older lot, it is a common sight to see young 15
and 17-year-old juveniles filling up instead. Having fun is acceptable but, to
what extent? A serious question to ask is what the youth of today is turning
into? Sadly, Gen Y does not even realize where they are heading. Their thoughts
are limited and views confined. They are a personification of being lost, confused
and misguided.
The concept of westernisation has taken on a whole new
meaning. Addiction to booze, drugs and clubbing has now become rampant among
teenagers. The situation is worsening each day. The number of teenage suicide
and pregnancies is on the rise; the figures startling. Morals, ethics and the
traditional values imbibed in us seem non-existent. In an attempt to act their
age, they often don’t realize that they act foolish and irrational. It's scary
how quickly youngsters are growing up these days.
Upbringing plays a vital role in the development of
any individual. Seldom do parents realize that confining a child to a limited
environment would only lead to the birth of a rebellion. At the age when they
are just growing up, the right exposure with the right knowledge and enough
freedom is important. A level of mutual understanding has to be achieved. On
the other hand, parental differences destroy a child as a whole. Most victims
of drug abuse and the likes are kids of divorced or single parents who neglect
their children, too busy concentrating on their own personal lives. “The
traumatic experiences I have faced in my family have left a deep mark on me, no
matter what, I can never be the same again” recalls an 18 yr old. “Such
children are unfortunate. Issues like this need to be seriously dealt with,”
adds a concerned parent.
In some cases, parents can't be blamed for this type
of behaviour No matter what parents teach their children, they will always
mimic their friends and peers. The greatest influence in a teenager's life is
the media- television, movies and music. The simple theory of ‘what they see is
what they adapt’. Content, the kind that is meant only for adults attracts
their attention and exposes them to an entirely different world. The rest, as
they say, is outdated.
Peer pressure is another reason. The urge to
look, dress and behave ‘cool’ leads these young minds on the wrong path. For
instance, the ‘size zero figure’ trend led to a lot of youngsters succumbing to
drugs and medicines that almost cost their life. Ouch!!
Education plays a major role too. Replacing a pen with
a laptop, outdoor games for video games, etc. does more harm than good. The
fast paced lifestyle engulfing our lives has blinded the generation. Bitten by
the glamorous lifestyles of many around, working and earning in the fast track
is a preferred option rather than studying further. Most school and college drop-outs look for easier alternatives not realizing the futility of such
endeavours. Donna Munshi, a well known personality says, “Teens nowadays, are
very impulsive and immature. They lack focus and guidance”. Difference in
ideology or the ‘generation gap’ is a perfect excuse for depreciating
responsibility. “You will never understand!” or statements like “ I'm not a kid any more.” are most heard around.
A careless attitude is observed amongst the majority
today. They do not realize the basic values of time and money. “As long as they
realize their responsibilities and enjoy while staying in their limits, there
is no harm done.” says Gagandeep Chawla, a student of Hamstech Institute of
Design.
The question here to ask is that can we blame the
youth? Agreed, that they take the repercussions of their actions in life for
granted, but is it really their fault? The analysis above hopefully gives space
for ample thought. “With great freedom comes great responsibility.” goes a
famous saying; it just needs to be abided by. All we can do is hope and guide
these little young birds - the beauty of a productive life - not letting them
get carried away by its superficiality. “This life so full of care, but we have
no time to stand and stare.” - High time we started thinking about it.
The
English Dictionary defines the word Enslavement as a synonym of addiction. In
simpler terms addiction means a persistent, compulsive dependence on behaviour
or a substance. Unlike the olden days, humans are no longer enslaves of the
other humans or the elite class. Trends have changed where enslavement to
others is taken over by enslavement to gadgets. In fact the addiction to
gadgets is to such an extent that it has been compared to addiction of drugs. Withdrawal
symptoms experienced by people deprived of gadgets and technology is compared
to those felt by drug addicts or smokers going “cold turkey.”