Gen Z in India

Confused or misunderstood?

Every generation is different. It has its own exposure to current social realities, its own path and understanding of feeling fulfilled. The generation in South Asia being presently discussed at great length is Zen Z, people born between 1997 to 2012. They came in limelight due to regime change in Nepal and Bangla Desh and recently due to the removal of education minister in India.

The crass use of abuses and expletives on TV cameras in Delhi protests, especially of girl’s, left many people wondering where the Indian society is going. If this is what the family and the society teaching the youngsters, where are we are heading? The behavior of Gen Z was questioned with answers mixed, more bad than good.

For me, the CJP protests though done by youths, was not representative of Gen Z in India. It was not even 0.01 % of the Gen Z population in the country. It was a collection of youths from different backgrounds, including students, by political parties for a political purpose. India’s original Gen Z is far more mature, civilized and respectful to the society. They show their political will in schools, colleges and elections, not in violent political protest on road. This was the city youngsters crowd, whose parents are well settled and the children do not have any responsibility or liability to think of. They are the one, whose stomach is full and who behave erratically in their own house also. Of course, not all of them.

This trend, I am observing for quite some time in class A and B cities in India. Kids are not disciplined. They do not listen to parents or teachers. Parents are not very sure about the response of their children in most of the situations. At the same time, it is also surprising for me to see the elders accepting this behavior of the youngsters and sometimes, justifying it.

Helping the parents with the house chores on a daily basis, buying groceries and veg/fruit/mil etc., listening to parent’s guidelines and directives on how to talk, what to wear, with whom to meet etc. are completely being ignored. Parents attribute it to the trend in society, where kids committing suicide at the age of 12 or 14 is not that uncommon. In trying to be an achiever, children are overburdened with expectations by the same parents. Children are becoming ultra-sensitive resulting in depression and other mental health problems for which counselling is becoming very common. Every school has a qualified psychologist as a counsellor now. Their behavior is something that we should not be proud of. Definitely, they are not of a balanced mind. They need help, but they are reluctant to accept that. These all descriptions are for city youngsters, not the Indian Gen Z.

Even in corporate world, the behavior and actions of this generation is being talked about with diverse views of seniors about their strength and weaknesses. We also find lots of supporters of Gen Z on professional platforms like LinkedIn. praising their rebellion questioning and disrespect to authority figures. Like everyone else, I have my own analysis of their behavior and since I am not an expert in psychology, it may not be accurate in the eyes of others.

Let us see, how Gen Z is recognized by society these days –

Clarity about what they want; Not compromising on their needs; Not much concern about other’s welfare with focus only on I, me and myself; Questioning the set pattern of the society; Respect only to deserving people; not on age and seniority; Clear idea work life balance; no control on their vocabulary and feelings, public display of affection etc.

(Note – some points can be added or deleted by others, if they want to.)

Two things that I find from the above list is –

1. This is a sea change from what India was all about as per its traditions. India was proud of its family support system, its values of respect and helping others and the way we behave in public.

2. All of these are very common and accepted in western countries for a very long time

Let us shift our focus to something else, just for a small time. An individual’s life is based on their self-esteem. From where does the self-esteem of an individual come? From the individual’s concept and knowledge of from where they have come? What is our root? Do we feel ourselves worthless or valuable? Do we belong to an ancestry which has already proven itself or no? Do we take pride In our lineage?

We get our self-esteem mostly from our background, our roots and if we have been brainwashed to believe that we came from a shitty place, naturally our entire life will be spent in trying to get appreciation and acceptance of those people, whom we consider superior. This is why most of the Indians believe more what Western media, Universities and NRIs talk about India, even if it is outrightly wrong. This acceptance is because of westernized teaching in schools and colleges. Westernized teachings show a scant regard for our Indian roots, including teaching of Sanatan Dharma, because of the differing social and religious views.

Unless, we are proud of our roots, the slide will be downhill only, and in near times, we will be swamped under what we consider superior, without knowing what is really superior. Try to find out – Who I am?

This is specially for Gen Z - I am not trying to say that you are wrong or I am right. We all seek our own truth. My only recommendation to the Gen Z is not be influenced by anyone, including me, unless they cross check the teachings themselves with a deeper study. Getting influenced by an ideology or religion with eyes closed is not a very mature thing to do. Neither criticize nor worship anything, till you have sincerely tried to find out everything about the issue or the subject under discussion. Focussing on positives and discarding the negatives or vice versa will always be misleading in a comparison. Learn gratitude, Respect parents and teachers, feel for others who are not as lucky as you. Gen Z, Be wise, act wisely!