If Youth is the Future of Our Nation, Should We Be Worried?

If Youth is the Future of Our Nation, Should We Be Worried?
Aqsa Hussain


"They [Young People] have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things -- and that means having exalted notions. They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning -- all their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently. They overdo everything -- they love too much, hate too much, and the same with everything else." Aristotle.

Youngsters, as we say, are the future of any nation; they are the strong shoulders on which the hopes and drea ms of their elders rest. Old-timers leave it to the young to take on from where they took off. Youth is always seen as a force guiding a country towards progress and profit. Its seen and observed that there's a noticeable desire among Pakistani youth to attain education and find respectable livelihoods and act as an agent for positive change in ideal circumstances but due to political and social unrest in the country, they just can't manage to achieve what they want and eventually get frustrated. Is this really the case? When Dr D.L. Gosling was asked about this phenomena he said the problem doesn't lay with youth but with parents. Youth's frustration is basically parents' fault. They not only fail to understand their children and their desires, but also don't pave the way for them to do wonders by infusing within them a proper energy of confidence, self esteem and competence. Dr Gosling goes on to say that it's not the elite or lower class but the middle class on which a nation relies.

However, youngsters of the 21st century seem to be in a hurry; they want success but they don't have much time. Persistence and steadfastness are two words completely unknown to them. One couldn't agree more with Eda J. Le Shan, who says, “In all our efforts to provide “advantages” we have actually produced the busiest, most competitive, highly pressured, and over-organized generation of youngsters in our history.” Love for success, luxury and fame are dreams come true for anyone and specifically for the young; who opt for the fastest techniques to achieve their goals. At times it becomes hard for youngsters to see older people working with them on positions on which they would want for themselves. As a result, they run after many things simultaneously, mixing everything together, and the race ends in frustration, confusion or further passion to succeed at a much faster rate.


Dr. Gosling, principal at Edwards College Peshawar thinks that identifying goals one by one would make it not only easy but practically possible to achieve them. Nadia Ayub, a psychologist from IoBM (Institute of Business Management) and lecturer too says: "Through internet the youth has proper access to global forums; they hate local stuff and want to go abroad and do something there but not here. It all results in a greater competition and we all know when competition becomes higher, frustration increases, but we ought to look at it positively," Ms. Ayub goes on to say that; “if this continues, quality will vanish and quantity will increase.”


Youth today faces many problems globally, such as drugs, teen pregnancies, education issues, unemployment and more importantly not knowing what their actual problems are. When we talk about Pakistan, deteriorating social, economic, law and order and education system with a feeling of not having competent leaders to speak for or stand by the nation, Pakistani youngsters find themselves vulnerable. Their frustration grows and ultimately makes them groan inwardly. Some of them have been vocal about it as well. In a recent incident, nine Pakistani students fought deportation and suspicion of being involved in what the British Prime Minister dubbed a "very big plot," were released without charge. It might have helped boost the accused students’ morale if other Pakistani students had come out protested against maligning Pakistan’s name but also would have shown leaders what students and youth really wanted: an apology from British officials for mentally torturing students against whom no evidence was found. An apology was demanded later though but to no avail. Incidents like this and many more not only leave youngsters disheartened but also contribute to a mounting identity crisis; they either take pride in being Pakistani or hate revealing their nationality. "I don't agree when USA and other countries say Pakistan is a failed state because its not. I believe in God, Pakistan and the youth of Pakistan. All they need to do is believe in them," says, Dr Gosling.


Unfortunately, in Pakistan we have unemployed youth who don't have proper access to education. This is one reason that brainwashing by social and political forces has become easier. “They get emotional, but don't even know what their political leaders' vision is,” Ms Ayub says. The media's contribution in brainwashing youth is very well documented. A more sensible and responsible approach is needed.


It's very disheartening to hear people say Pakistani youth is in danger of radicalization. One has to wonder why can't a counter radicalization plan to prevent youngsters from being brainwashed be evolved. We must allow the young prove to us, and to themselves, that they are fit to be labeled as the hope of the nation, instead of judging their capacity and capabilities to perform. The good news is that the future really does belong to the youth. One couldn't agree more with the charismatic leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who said, “I particularly appeal to our intelligentsia and Muslim students to come forward and rise to the occasion. You have performed wonders in the past. You are still capable of repeating the history. You are not lacking in the great qualities and virtues in comparison with the other nations. Only you have to be fully conscious of that fact and to act with courage, faith and unity.” Delhi, March 23, 1943.

Writer is working at a leading Pakistani news channel as a reporter.