10S403 General Paper

The Youth of Today... A Lost Generation? (A)

The article is basically highlighting the changes in the lives of youth now in comparison to their parents' era, mostly born in the 1960s and 1970s. It is talking about the change that is happening in the 21st century. One of the points mentioned is globalisation and I agree with this point. Because of globalisation, people's lifestyles have changed and there are families who live in different parts of the world now. This is due to the readily available connection, be it phone, e-mail, facebook or Skype. I also agree with the writer's thinking that 'choice' has become central to how life is lived and taught. Youths get to choose almost everything now as compared to their parents. This could be one of the factors that attributes to why they require the society and their families to give them their own time, space and freedom, as stated in the last part of the article. Youths today are less independent than before so they need the time to slowly find their 'mature independence', as stated. Hence, the term lost generation arises because the youth of today are taking longer to mature and be independent because of the choices. The society is very volatile now as compared to last time so I feel people should give the youth of today more time. I do not think they are a lost generation, but rather, just a slower one to attain adulthood.

Eunice.