Segun Abaniwonda
The youths of this present generation are extremely different compared to the previous generation. Abnormalities have been made normality; a child below 18 years can be acknowledged as an adult because he or she dwells in a body much bigger than themselves, so you unknowingly assume they’re a young adult.
The mind-blowing part is that certain things are now expected of you from your equals to materially own or use, certain kind of life you’re supposed to live, a huge number of youth are now misinformed they don’t have a mind of their own if you don’t meet up some certain material standard.
However, iPhone like the only mobile gadget you’re expected to use as a young adult, it doesn’t matter if you are financially stable or not, some people go as far as stealing these gadgets and a lot of young people are behind bars, some even died for the illegal acquisition of this expensive gadgets.
This are an alarming issue in our society for a while now, Some girls suddenly accept that they have to dress half-naked for men to find them attractive and they don’t mind if a guy is just sexually drawn to them, so far they also have something to gain in return which is the financial help/freedom they need. Nowadays, guys must drive an expensive car and live in a well-furnished apartment in a serene environment, just to prove how much of a man he is and be recognized as highly valued.
Now, some of these lifestyles or certain expectations from your peers are very expensive to keep up with especially when you’re not financially stable or you’re not from a rich home, so the majority goes as far as doing anything and everything they can to keep up with this barbaric expectations, most girls now have sexual intercourse with men in exchange for money and some cases with older men. While many guys on the other hand also go as far as getting involved in cybercrimes, rituals, and occultist activity.
This is a result of impatience and trying to prove “God knows what” and getting validation from their peers. Impatience is gradually eating this generation up! Covetousness is now compared to hunger for success while the “get rich quick scheme” is gradually becoming normalized. There is no doubt that these standards are causing more harm than good.
Although it’s not a problem for someone to possess or use expensive gadgets and live a comfortable life, my only problem is how some young adults nowadays now prioritize it and don’t mind doing something outrageous and unbelievable to get what they want. Should I call this bad influence or demonic willpower that is now dominating? It’s as bad as some people cutting ties with friends because they can’t afford to keep up with that way of living presumed to be perpendicular to them. If you don’t have any of these material things or not living an extravagant life, it is concluded you’re irrelevant, lazy, and someone not worth being friends with.
Read Also; 12 Things Nigerians Are Most Passionate About
I mean, who creates these standards? Who normalizes all these occurrences? Who said you have to prove to others you’re doing well for yourself by showing off material things you own or can afford? You’re regarded and counted estimably worthy by these things and what you can offer both in a relationship and friendship, some of these people go as far as hiding their real identity and family background, because trust me a high number of them once lived in a slum neighborhood. It is becoming a thing of shame for too many young adults to publicly show off their family/parents or even to be seen with them so they don’t get downgraded or insulted. Hence, social media is now a place where we all tell unnecessary lies “deceit made easy”, while “fake life” is commonly interchanged with “real life” nowadays.
In addition, early marriage is now very common between two young adults making courtship before marriage less important, they simply skip that part and jump into marriage by having an elaborate wedding ceremony which has started to have its own “Doreme standard” in the past years. Elders are beginning to call the young adults the “TikTok generation” and “know-all generations” because marriage counseling is often ignored and they’ve failed to get informed about what marriage entails and how to be fully prepared.
Although early marriage cases are a bit more justified compared to illegal marriage which is also becoming more popular among the younger generations, there is also a change in the partner’s interest and requirements/qualifications as much as the young man is rich, they feel every other problem or challenges that might show up will automatically be resolved. The divorce and break-up rate is also becoming very high among young adults in Nigeria because we are beginning to have a new belief of “las las, na everybody go chop breakfast”.
You May Also LIke;
It is rather disappointing because youths of our generation refuse to learn and understand the basic and essential steps to building a home, they simply become married couples, and then misunderstanding/disagreements start kicking in. In some cases, if not properly managed results in domestic violence either physically or orally. We have seen many cases where it further results in untimely death and imprisonment.
Early parenthood is also one of the awful situations we all find ourselves although this is no new thing yet many are still curious to know why the standard was raised. Going on, kids that suppose to go through some phase of life and have appropriate education under their parents’ watch and control are beginning to be a parent of other kids and they comfortably do it the wrong way. So many young ladies are becoming adolescent and single mothers while the guys are having more than one baby’s mama.
We all have this aspiration for luxurious lives and desperately want good things. Therefore, as much as material things are good and nice to have in the real sense, you don’t have to own them to get recognition or gain respect or have those aforementioned things before you can have a feeling of belonging in society. It is very unnecessary to forcefully or illegally have or do the things your mates are doing some of these things rated as achievements are not.
In conclusion: it is ok to genuinely want to have some of these material things, but you shouldn’t go for material things to compete with others or try to prove anything to anyone. Well, of course, they’re young adults doing well for themselves making money legally, and can conveniently afford a comfortable life and of course, a couple of them are from wealthy homes.
But then these standards created by “God knows who and why” have to stop! Use, eat, wear, and do whatever you want and comfortably give yourself time without feeling left out or like a loser, instead work hard and smart to be successful and you can live the life you want and also afford the things that you desire.
Written by; Abaniwonda Habibat Anike
Jan/2023
