Category: Youth

‘The most effective learning takes place away from school.’ How far do you agree?

  • what do we learn outside school which is not generally available at/in school?
  • definitions of what constitutes ‘learning’ – informal/formal learning, ‘academic learning’, general life skills, etc
  • role of parents, grandparents, siblings, peer groups
  • rites of passage
  • importance of personal initiative – finding things out for oneself
  • homework is done outside school
  • how and what children might learn from the internet at home
  • the social environment in the school is essential for the working world

Our choices are determined by experts and media personalities. How far do you agree?

For and against points for our choices are determined by experts and media personalities.

  • we are independent and can make our own decisions
  • experts can present technical and complex arguments that cannot be readily understood
  • the internet and electronic systems allow everyone access to goods from across the world, regardless of location
  • those in the media are prone to errors and inconsistencies that undermine their influence
  • art critics are less influential than friends and family in the choices we make
  • despite highly publicised campaigns, people still make consumer choices on price
  • celebrities can be very influential

Consider the value of films and/or books which contain material intended to provoke or disturb.

Keywords: ‘consider’, ‘value’, ‘films’, ‘and/or’, ’books’, ‘provoke or disturb’

  • The film or book can be valuable if it is thought-provoking .
  • The value of a movie can be enhanced if it is done with the intention to educate and not to sensationalise.
  • It is important to define ‘disturbing’. Does disturbing equate to sexual, violent, language and horror images?
  • Is the film or book challenging ideologies to encourage discussion or change?
  • What about ‘based on true events.’ Such events could be horrific, disturbing or offensive but need to be shown so that the audience understands the issues.
  • How should content about holocaust, war or some kind of disaster be portrayed without disturbing content?
  • What about ‘disturbing’ for entertainment and shock value?
  • Value could disintegrate if done for sensationalism without attention to character/plot and skilful direction.
  • Some films can have unnecessary language. Language can be gratuitous but can be justified if that is part of the character’s world or environment.

‘Young people are sometimes treated as second-class citizens.’ How far would you agree?

Keywords: ‘Young people’ and ‘second-class citizens’ and ‘How far’.

  • Lack of rights for under 18s
  • Stereotyping of youth is prevalent
  • Most youth are seen as idealistic and labelled as irresponsible
  • Degree of parental control – excessive or liberal – can impact the family and the youth
  • The respect for youth and status in society is non existant
  • Facilities for young people (e.g. employment, youth organisations and counselling are inadequate
  • The degree of exploitation is very high for young people, particularly in employment setting as they are paid low wages or even coerced to work

‘In the modern world, image is everything.’ Discuss.

In the past century, the image has rapidly evolved from mere vanity to being regarded as of great importance in the modern world, where technology is ubiquitous and the concept of the image can be portrayed everywhere. An image is not merely the vivid representation of an individual or an object, but also a powerful tool manipulated by us to impress and entertain people, for self or for profit. Image is an important factor in society nowadays as it draws a line between the prominent people and the society’s unfashionable mob. It also separates the normal everyday products from high-end gadgets. While a good image is an eminently valued asset in today’s context and can help attain success to a certain extent, there are other elements that are just as important if not more important than it, such as substance. In today’s world, the image may seem like everything, however, where are many other aspects which are just as substantial that can lead to a successful life.

Over the years, with the introduction of print and visual media like newspapers and televisions, the role of images in the representation of ideas has changed significantly. The media plays a strong role in the dissemination of information in today’s modern society, and everyone has the equal ability to tap into the effectiveness of media to accomplish each’s own agenda. As media is accessible to almost every individual, it has led to a society that is easily influenced by images that the media portrays, deceiving them to desire something that they do not necessarily require. These images are the most prominently shown through the usage of advertisements by corporations to promote their own goods or services. Commercials and advertisements are designed in a way that captures the attention of the viewer in the shortest time possible, thus altering the perception of the individual according to what he sees. One good example of print media is women’s magazines, where beauty and especially fashion is heavily emphasized. Page after page, those magazines exude attractive advertisements of branded accessories, handbags, clothes, make-up and slimming centres. The need of looking elegant and classy has become so deeply entrenched in the modern societal psyche that many people, both man and women alike, are willing to fork out thousands of dollars to lavish themselves on expensive designer clothing, beauty treatments and products. Where looking fashionable is concerned, money is no object.


Reinforcing the fact that an individual comes under the influence of images every day, the amount of influence exerted on individuals is colossal. And more often than not, individuals succumb to the effect of these images. The massive amount of mass media portraying an ideal beauty causes people to internalize the standard definition of beauty and they take measures to attain the propagated ideal. This explains the fascination or even obsession with image and fashion, especially of celebrities. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that, among the most prominent trends in 2007, about two-thirds of its members reported seeing men and women who requested cosmetic surgery because they wanted to remain competitive in the workplace. One such example is of Hajnal Ban who claimed that she was not taken seriously for her chosen profession of politics because of her height. Thus she had her legs surgically lengthened by 3 inches. This goes to show the number of pain women endures just to attain that desired image of themselves. There are also more movies and television shows that emphasize on an individual’s outlook appearance, such as 200 Pounds Beauty and Extreme Makeover, where the characters underwent various cosmetic surgeries to transform themselves into the ‘modern beauty’. To them, looking beautiful brings them confidence, and is their key to success. To them, image matters. Hence the viewer’s opinion is swayed to think the same way.

In the case of political parties and governments, it is common to see governments creating impressions to project a representation of the state of the country. In context, in North Korea, Kim Jung Il led citizens to believe that their country was thriving and prospering, when they were actually faced with poverty and famine due to government spending on nuclear weapons. Governments also tend to portray a good image of themselves to the people, such as the Prime Minister of Australia, who made a formal apology for the past wrongs caused by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population. The apology, beamed live around the country on TV, was met with cheers. But however good that image is, he should back it up with substance, by putting his words into actions, like enforcing policies that would be of benefit to the aborigines’ community, instead of just appearing admirable. The previous President of the United States, President George Bush also painted an image of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction, which resulted in the Iraq war. Moreover, that image has yet to be proven reality.

However, though it may seem that the concept of the perfect image is the only aspect which we all want to acquire, besides beauty and brawn, we are also sought after for something more valuable, such as knowledge and a good disposition. This is eminently shown in Singapore’s education system, where the character and achievements of a student are the most important criteria to enter into a higher level of education. Within the education system, students are not judged for their looks, and that is the purpose of the school uniform, to make every student look equal, not striking. The best way to be outstanding in an education system like Singapore’s is to have excellent conduct grades, academic and co-curricular achievements and thus be named a bright student with character and values. The importance of fulfilling these criteria is due to the significance of one’s testimonial that could help a student enter an institution, such as to a junior college, or university. In Singapore, there are also a group of people who are the cream of the crop and are highly regarded by our government. They are the elite. The elite does not just possess a good image, but the ability and knowledge as well which are undeniably important characteristics as they are shaped to lead the future of Singapore. In this manner, there is only a need for the appropriate image and not the perfect one.

Selecting the best candidates, especially those of high calibre, will result in a good government. A good and just government is one that portrays the true image of the state or is able to mould the state into its desired image, like a prosperous nation. Thus it is crucial to pick the right leaders, endowed with the capacity to think critically, that is able to lead a nation, and not just for appearance. To the government, pragmatism is regarded over the image, and more often than not, it is a matter of, “Can you deliver?” that is the burning question. This meticulous method of selection for Singapore has been highly successful, and there is no doubt about which party would win the elections each time. One of the main reasons for Singapore’s success is attributed to our state of political stability, and that we have trust in our leaders to maintain good governance in Singapore, corruption-free.

Prominent figures in the media are inevitably tasked with being a good role model to their viewers who are greatly influenced by their actions. After scrutinizing the appearance of a character or an actor, before the viewer subconsciously decides who to pick as his role model, the next thing he will look for in the media persona is for his character. It is unlikely for a child or a right-minded adult to choose an ill-mannered villain as his exemplar. However, though the actor could have started out as a presentable role model, with many others taking after him, once his character wanes, the others’ will follow suit. Such is shown by various Hollywood stars that have led many to degrade the importance of marriage by their multiple changes of partners. In another light, Jesse Jackson, an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister was an advisor for Bill Clinton, the then President of the United States. He was known to some as the most important black leader in politics at that time, and it is no doubt that many look up to him. Yet, in 2001, his affair with a staffer, Karin Stanford, was made public and that resulted in a blemish in his once clean profile, thus leading many to reconsider their perception of him. Others might even think that having extra-marital affairs is normal. If a Baptist minister could do it, why couldn’t they? Thus it is a huge responsibility to maintain the role of a good example, as the outlook is not all there is to it.

Media has changed the perception of the ideal body image to masculine men and immaculately groomed and slim women. Especially for women, where the mass media promotes unrealistic and unhealthy bodies of painfully thin women, encouraging many girls that it is the ideal way to look. Research indicates that exposure to images of thin, young, air-brushed female bodies is linked to depression, loss of self-esteem and the development of unhealthy eating habits in women and girls. The American research group Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders, Inc. says that one out of every four college-aged women uses unhealthy methods of weight control – including fasting, skipping meals excessive exercise, laxative abuse and self-induced vomiting (Bulimia). There were several cases of models fainting, and in some cases dying, because of the extremity of their eating disorders, but it was only after such horrific events that fashion industries decided to do something about the situation. Italy and Spain have since banned super skinny models from the runway and requires the models to have a body mass index of at least 18.5. In 2004, Dove, a large company in the health product and beauty sector, released a series of print and television ads featuring happy-looking, lingerie-clad women with “everyday” looks, called the Dove Beauties. Dove’s campaign was striving to generate change from within the generally weight-conscious advertisement industry, showing that you are beautiful in your own way. Through these examples, it proves that a person might have good looks, but without health and contentment of the way one looks, it is difficult to live a self-fulfilling and happy life.

Through the years, the image has changed, especially after the emergence of the media, which has led many to misunderstand the concept of real beauty. The ideal image that the media portrayed has drastically changed the individual’s opinion. Leading to the countless effort spent on attaining that perfect image, deluding people from what is the main priority in life. Governments have also been known to paint the perfect image of their nation, coaxing their people into believing the untrue. However, in some cases, the substance is more sought after than beauty. This is evident in various institutions and the recruitment of future leaders where ability and personality are of the utmost importance. A bad image from the media can also lead to various followers, resulting in declining statistics significantly in the area of marriage. And lastly, the most essential thing to possess in life is health. A person might be the richest and most beautiful in the world, but without health, he is nothing. In conclusion, albeit it may seem that image is everything in today’s world, it is not so, particularly where the substance is concerned.

Are entertainment celebrities worthy idols or bad Influence?

Entertainment celebrities have become an intricate part of our daily lives. We see them on television, hear them on radios and even read about them in newspapers and magazines. With media exerting considerable influence in our everyday lives, so have entertainment celebrities who utilise the media to gain popularity. Some people may argue that the influence has led to a positive effect on our everyday lives while others say they have detrimental consequences on our daily lives. In this essay, I will present both points of argument before finally explaining why in my opinion entertainment celebrities are more of a bad influence rather than worthy idols. 

Idols exert a bad influence on people as they instil wrong values into people’s mindsets such as having good looks are imperative. This is due to the popular portrayal of entertainment celebrities by the media as extremely appealing. The media also portrays beauty as being the norm. This has caused people to increasingly pursue good looks by means such as plastic surgery. Statistics have shown a rise in the cases of youth undergoing plastic surgery. Not only plastic surgery is highly unnatural it also causes potential risk with the possibility of adverse side effects. A greater emphasis has also been placed on outer instead of inner beauty. This has led to a vainer society which pursues beauty instead of higher moral standards. 

Entertainment celebrities have also been shown to display undesirable traits such as dabbling with drugs or promiscuity. One such example would be Lindsay Lohan who has been known to consume drugs and is frequently placed in rehabilitation centres. Another example would be of famous pop Idols such as Britney Spears or Lady Gaga who actively promote sexuality through their songs and music videos. We may well be subconsciously picking up these traits just by listening to our MP3 or through other portals of media. 

In addition, entertainment celebrities can lead to an unhealthy obsession of people towards their idols. For example, recently a Korean pop concert held in Singapore saw an unprecedented number of youth attending the event although it was close to the examination period. This shows how youth are willing to forgo their studies to watch their idols perform. This has also led to worship by fans and various cults put in place in reverence of these celebrities. We are simply forgetting that entertainment celebrities are not exceptional nor special, they are normal human beings just like you and me.

However, entertainment celebrities cannot be said to be totally bad influences as there are certain aspects to them that make them worthy idols. They add colour and zest into our otherwise boring and dull lives. For example, comedians help to relieve stress and make people happy. Entertainment celebrities have also helped to spread culture through popular media such as soap operas. For example, recently aired drama “The Little Nonya” helped to reignite popular interest in Nonya culture. This has led to an increased awareness in traditions and customs that might have been long forgotten. But conversely, entertainment celebrities have also caused erosion of culture. For example, popular television dramas from the US such as the Vampire Diaries have caused people to become more interested in foreign culture instead of local cultures due to better appeal. This may be dangerous as youths are increasingly forgetting their roots and cultural essence in favour of foreign culture. 

On the other hand, entertainment celebrities have also instilled important morals into people’s minds through popular dramas, for example, growing up, highlight important life lessons. Historical dramas inform people about important past events to remind people not to commit similar mistakes and also to edify people more on history and to spark an interest in learning history. However, due to the desire to grasp the attention of audiences, historical dramas may distort facts and are melodramatic leading to inaccuracies and imparting of false facts. 

In conclusion, I feel that entertainment celebrities are a bad influence as they impart the wrong values in people and cause an unhealthy obsession among fans. Their visual appeal only serves to boost people’s vanity in the pursuit of unattainable perfection in beauty. People should always remember that entertainment celebrities are only humans and certainly not the complete guiding light as to how we will lead our lives.

The young are valued more than the aged today. Discuss this in relation to your society.

The young are not valued more than the aged in Singapore.

Recent developments in Singapore’s strategies to encourage parenthood, celebrate the achievements of young Singaporeans while providing them with greater opportunities to do so in different areas seem to reflect that the government is diverting more attention, time and capital to the young. However, it would be unfair to claim the Singapore government values the young more than they value the aged. In fact, it has always aimed for a clear-sighted balance to ensure that the nation is a home where the young have exciting opportunities and bright futures and where the old lives their silver years with grace and dignity. Beyond the government’s efforts however, the society can also play an even larger part in supporting elderly individuals such as through positive employment practices and work cultures and eliminating stereotypes. It is not true that the young are valued more than the old in Singapore.

Over the past few years, the Singapore government has developed various elderly-friendly facilities and infrastructure. This is in line with the government’s focus on developing an inclusive society where Singapore would be a place where all Singaporeans, regardless of age, can call home. The integration of elderly-friendly facilities like anti-slip tiles and bathroom railings in the homes of the aged are initiatives undertaken by the Housing Development Board. Also, in order for more seniors to age gracefully within the community and remain close to their loved ones, the Ministry of Health has revamped various neighbourhood areas like Toa Payoh and Bedok so as to locate aged care and support facilities in these areas. These initiatives show that the government is committed to ensuring that the aged can still enjoy quality living.

In tandem with the above, the young are not left out as well. The continued development of educational and sports facilities shows the government’s keen intention to nurture the interests and talents of the younger generation. Programmes like Young Change Makers and SHINE Festival are just a few of the many initiatives planned by the National Youth Council to engage young Singaporeans. The multitude of programmes and initiatives for the young and the old shows that it is myopic to compare the value placed on both groups.

In some instances, there is preferential treatment of the young compared to the aged. This is due to the belief that the aged are less productive, lack innovative ideas and are prone to fall sick. As such, some firms prefer to recruit young workers. Nevertheless, the Singapore government sees the aged as assets in the workplace and has taken steps to change institutional structures to support older workers. For example, it has subsidised the wage bills of companies that they hire older workers through Special Employment Credit and continuously enhances its Retirement and Re-employment Act to help eligible elderly employees stay in the workforce for a longer period of time. Many local companies have been encouraged by the Ministry of Manpower to modify job specifications and operations or redesigning the work for older employees. The perception that the society favours the young more than the aged is thus a flawed one.

The practical nature of Singapore society and the constant desire to further our socio-economic development would lead some to assume that the government tends to invest more in developing the potential of young citizens. But the truth of the matter is that the Singapore government has focused on ensuring that the older workers remain employable and are well taken care of. In fact, it is precisely our practicality that drives the government to see the value in every member in the workforce regardless of their age due to limited manpower. The young are not valued more than the aged in Singapore.

We Worship the Young and Scorn the Old. What Is Your Opinion?

It is not deniable that today majority of attention is focused on the youth of society. Walk by any bus stop or open up any newspaper and there are young models printed all over the pages and billboard. The emphasis we place on the youth of our society is to an extent that we completely neglect the older generation of our society. There are several cases where the older generation is denied jobs or are discriminated against at the workplace. All this might prove that we scorn the old, however, it is important to remember that the older generations contribute to society in their own ways.

The youth are believed to be the future of our society and this is reflected in our fascination with the young people. It is important that the older generation is given the same importance and the emphasis is shifted from youth to youthfulness. However, this is not being practised in today’s society where people believe that the young are interesting and the older people should be done away with because they do not bring any novelty in the society. The mindset of people and society proves that we scorn the old, and create hindrance in the way of the older generation to prove their worth in society.

The media is also responsible for promoting these attitudes where the younger generation is given too much attention while none is given to the older generation. For instance in Singapore the leading newspaper The Straits Times has a whole page intended only for the youth while there are no such devoted pages for the older generation. One reason for this attention to the youth can be attributed to the fact that they are considered the future of society. On the other hand, the only news which features the older generation is their abandonment from their own homes or lack of job opportunities. This exactly reflects the conditions in our society and how we scorn the old. On the other hand, the younger generation is given significant importance while the old people are neglected completely.

In spite of this, believing that the older generation is only neglected is completely disingenuous and can lead us to biased views. It cannot be forgotten that media has to feature young and fresh faces in newspapers, TV and magazines because they lead to great profits. On a surface level, these issues portray the youth of society but if one looks closely then there are articles for the older generation sometimes which provide them with plans on how to save money after retirement. One of the reasons for not having a place in these features can also be because of their constant lifestyle which is not very newsworthy. But all this does not insinuate that the older generation is idle and inactive, and therefore completely disregarded by society, it’s just that they contribute to society in other ways and are occupied with activities that do not always feature in the media. For instance, in Australia, there are many activities conducted by the elderly and their pleasurable amity is enjoyed by all. The older generation has abundant knowledge about skills which are lost today like knitting, the younger generation turns to the older generation for learning these skills. Hence, it is not true that we scorn the old, many believe that they are a vital part of our society and are respected.

Though the youth is believed to be the future of society, they are still immature and need the guidance of the older generation. It is often seen that the youth often commit mistakes and sometimes even indulge in anti-social behaviour, this even leads to taint their image as the representatives of our society. The rash behaviour is often criticised by the older generation, these objections are often interpreted by the younger generation as finicky views which obstruct their liberty and preferences. However, the views of the old are not finicky as they speak from their experience and have passed through the stage of youth too. We scorn the old and do not respect their opinions. The older generation has a grain of truth in their concerns but their statements are not taken seriously by the youth today and their concern for the youth is interpreted as troublesome. Hence, older people have a lot of wisdom which if taken seriously by the youth can benefit them in a long term.

In spite of the popularity the youth have gained in society, it is irrefutable that the older generation has contributed to society immensely. Many countries have started to understand the benefits of the older generation and how their skills can be helpful to the youth. Many countries like Britain have policies that safeguard the rights of the elderly. While Singapore Airlines continues to hire young girls to boost its business, there is British Airways which still gives importance to experience and has a staff that has proven themselves these attendants are not young like the Singapore Girl but have more experience and knowledge than them. In times of emergency, the older attendants are considered to be a preferred choice because of their confident attitude and experience. Unfortunately, there are companies that remove their employees once they are not young anymore. Many replace the older generation’s wisdom with the young generation’s new ways in the companies. In this way, we scorn the old, even after their significant contribution to their workplace. It is important that the companies make policies which enable the young generation and the old to work together so that both can learn something from each other. However, many companies do not understand this and therefore not many policies like these exist. Hence, it is important that the old and the young generation are given a chance to work with each other as they both can bring different perspectives to the workplace.

In conclusion, it is important to understand that both the old and the new generations are given importance as both are a vital part of society. The younger generation should understand that the older generation has many pearls of wisdom and should take every opportunity to learn from them. It is also important that the older generation also takes into consideration the views of the young generation to keep up with the new generation and form a fresh and innovative perspective on things.

We worship the young and scorn the old. What is your opinion?

In today’s world media plays an important role in shaping one’s thoughts and perception. The media today constantly focuses on the young and it is often seen that due to this the older generation is disdained and completely disregarded. Though this is true that this is the case in many scenarios, a closer analysis reveals that this trend is prevalent in the industries where profit-making is the only goal. These industries worship the young so that they can maximize their profits from them.

It is evident that society is fixated with the young; young people are idolized and are seen in many spheres of our lives. The media is filled with young people; they are seen in advertisements, television and are also rule the music industry. The dominance of young people in these areas results from our admiration for the young to the extent that the older generation is completely side-lined. The media is filled with advertisements featuring the young and Apple iPod advertisements are an example of that wherein youth are seen grooving to today’s music. The fashion industry is crammed with models that are barely in their 20s. These examples are a reflection of today’s society which shows that we worship the young

On the contrary, when the question is of the older generation, there are preconceived notions about them in our minds. Old people are often considered to be mentally less acute and are deemed to be unfit in the work sphere. They are often perceived as crabby and difficult people and these perceptions sketch a negative picture of the older generation. These ideas about the old have taken roots in our mindset and therefore, In Singapore, many older people are not offered jobs because people think they are less alert and productive. It’s true that the older generation is not as adept in using technology as the younger generation and technology is an important part of today’s work sphere. One might argue that it is due to the skills that the older people are being denied jobs. However, it is also true that along with our notions about the old, people also believe that the old do not contribute towards society at all. This is also evident from the fact that many elderly are sent to old age homes as they are considered an inconvenience in their own families. Hence, the aforementioned examples reflect our contempt for the older generation in society.

It would be completely wrong to believe that we worship the young over because of their youth and our attitudes towards them are unjustifiable. For example, in the sports field athletes’ youth is desirable because it is the peak point in their careers. It is completely unfair to believe that we worship the youth because there are many instances where the young are subjected to harsh treatments from society. As we celebrate their youth we also criticize their naivety and immature behaviour. For instance, the ‘Yob’ culture in Britain is condemned because of their disruptive acts and is disapproved by people all over the world. When young celebrities indulge in wrong activities they are not worshipped but are harshly disparaged by the media and society. Therefore, Believing that we only worship the young is a flawed statement because when the youth commit any mistakes they are also ruthlessly reproached by us.

Similarly, it is an intense exaggeration when we say that we disregard the older generation. A major part of society understands and considers the fact that someday we will pass through the same ageing stage in life. Many cultures value the significance of the older generation and the importance of respecting them. In Singapore, respecting the elderly is central to its values and was even encouraged by our minister Lee Kuan Yew. The older generation is vital to society because they have experience and years of accumulated wisdom. In the Film industry names like Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are still taken because of their strong acting skills. Many advertisements today have started featuring the old and this has helped in sending across the message that the old are as important as the young of the society.

In conclusion, it is a rushed assumption to believe that only the youth is worshipped in the society while the old neglected. These are extreme views that do not hold true in today’s society where age is just a number. There are some aspects of the young that are celebrated and there are other characteristics of the old which are celebrated. Both the generations’ importance cannot be denied in society.

It is often said that youth is often wasted on the young. How far do you agree?

Youth has its own natural attributes- energised physique makes everything seem easy and accessible, cognitive intelligence paves the path. Hence, innovative ideas develop and find implementation. The enhanced standards of education and introduction of science and technology adds to their efficiency making them charismatic workers. However, the other side of the coin presents a different picture. The youth is the embodiment of rigid, inflexible stubbornness. They lack in patience and experience. As such the rare gifts and natural talents are recklessly wasted. The abundance of glamour and pleasures make time slip away unnoticed. The counselling of the venerable class goes unheeded. It would be well to understand that the young generation is immature and cannot decide which path to adopt and which to abandon. The role of parents, teachers and society together with the standard of education are the deciding factors that make the young people to utilize fruitfully or to waste heedlessly the wealth of youth.

Young people, as opposed to the senior citizens, possess the potentials to bring about positive transformation in societies, to write success stories and to add to the aesthetic world by creative intervention, provided that their natural instincts and strengths are directed and channelized properly. Young people bring an end to age old conservative thoughts, dogmas and social evils.
The greatest barrier in social progress is ignorance and age old conservative thoughts. It is the young group that can help to eradicate these.

In many of the lesser developed societies, we still find gender-based bias, early marriages, dowry deaths, and child labour as highly prevalent. Despite attempts made by national and international organizations active in this direction, these enigmatic features continue to shame humanity. The young generation can do a lot to clean the society of such evils. They have the insight to comprehend the problem, the ability to find a solution and also the strength to have them implemented. There are many examples that show the revolutionary attitude of the millennials to wage a war against social evils. History has evidence of major changes brought through youthful initiatives and influences. As the young freedom fighters could achieve Independence for their country, today’s youth can free the societies of its foes in the shape of evils. The millennials extend support to social well- being through modern thoughts and innovative functioning

Young people today are successful entrepreneurs and social activists. They can not only revolutionize the digital scene but can also help fight against pollution, conserve natural resources and eradicate poverty. The trend of entrepreneurship initiated by Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg has paved the way for new generation of kids. Kevin Systrom and Mike Kreiger co-founders of the digital company, Instagram, are under 30; Shrawan Kumaran and Sanjay Kumaran, India’s young digital developers are only 12 and 14 years old and have co- founded Go Dimensions; Dylan Mahalingam, only at the age of nine in 2006, founded LilMDG’s , an organization in collaboration with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals; Madison Robinson, the fifteen year old entrepreneur from Texas, is making good profit in her clothing industry Fish Flop; and, Malala Yousafzai, the social activist fighting for education for all and the winner of Nobel Peace Prize in 2013, was only seventeen that time. These success stories suggest the triumph and intense utilization of youthful character, not its waste. Recent passion for technology has triggered a number of young people working in the direction of digital development and the sense of responsibility towards social issues is increasing day by day.

The young minds and hands possess creativity. A number of young people are showing their talents in the field of art, music, dance, drama, film making and sports, making this world a place of great grandeur. Talents in the field of art and literature are continued even as the folk arts are inherited and carried forward by the youth. Young fingers are engaged in creating masterpieces and instruments vibrate magic. Zachary David Zach Sobiech was an American rock singer who was suffering from cancer in 2012; instead of being disheartened by his eminent mortality he wrote songs and gave performances for his near and dear ones and his greatest hit, Clouds, became a You Tube sensation; his music, after his passing away, continues to motivate people to live their life to the fullest. Missy Franklin won Six Gold medals in 2012 Olympics but turned down her financial endorsement to continue her college education. Such talents are no doubt rare, but they, never the less belong to the young.

The role of performance arts, fine arts, folk arts, writings enriches the aesthetic wealth of the globe, adding a soulful satisfaction to human existence. Such young people who are conscious, conscientious and creative, constitute a smaller percentage of the entire mass. The majority of the young generation waste their time and talent in a callous search for momentary pleasures.

More often than not they do not listen to their guardian’s advice and do as they will. Having no respect for the time they let opportunities slip by. Nomophobia is the most widespread ailment of modern youth who cannot survive without their cell phones. Late night parties, friend circles, movies and careless gallivanting are symptoms of the rich while the less affluent take resort to cheap wines, drugs, abuse and violence. They fail to realize their more responsible roles in social development as imposed on them by the demographic transition and dependency ratio. According to the most recent demographic projections, which suggests an increase in the percentage of aged people and a decline in the percentage of the young, the youth will be under greater social and moral pressure of the greybeards. It is ironical that by the time a sense of realization will dawn upon them they will be too senescent for any useful activity. Most of the young population either misuse their potentials or remain idle, undisciplined and violent.

There is a tremendous burden on the young generation and the factors of insecurity and unemployment add to their adversities. Lack of proper guidance and the exposure to technology- social media and easy communication modes of cell phones- deviate them from their path. If they lack the vision to recognise their potentials and appear to be wasting their youth, it is not entirely their fault. Their performances need to be appreciated, their problems require to be sorted out and their trust has to be won by the elders and the societies promoting their participation. Today young people need to be empowered. If these conditions are met, the young will make the best use of their youth.

The young people are equipped with abilities to function wonderfully. They are doing so in various fields. But, there are a number of young people, moving towards senile ageing, without noticing the important fact that time was slipping away silently, like sand through the gaps between fingers.
Problems of unemployment, insecure future, family burden and immense exposure to dazzling distractions of modernity are preventing the young from realizing their goals and prompting the wastage of youth.