Globalization And Its Impact On The Indian Youth

Dr.Athiqul H. Laskar

Globalization And Its Impact On The Indian Youth
(Emerging (promising )Issues of youth)
India, as a nation, underwent tremendous change on the social, economical and cultural fronts as it stepped into the 21st century. The past decade had been eventful in terms of technological advancements, industrialization and even education. It may be said that the process of globalization has made India a bigger country and the world, a smaller place. Quite obviously, the young Indian lives in a world radically different from that his parents grew up in. This also means that the Indian youth is faced with issues and dilemmas that were unknown and unheard of in previous generations. In order to address and resolve these issues, it may help to first understand the dynamics of change at multiple levels stemming from the process of globalization.
Youth and the BPO culture (business Process outsource)
For ages, young educated Indians battled unemployment and poor wages. With international businesses and MNCs setting base on Indian soil, things took a drastic turn for the better. The job openings created by these international companies filled up that gaping chasm in the job market, much to the relief of many an employable youth. Today, even regular graduates can expect to land up a decent job provided they possess adequate communication and language skills. The BPO and IT sectors have been the primary generators of jobs in India – a boon for urban, English-speaking youth. What’s more, these jobs allow young people to earn almost twice as much as their parents and that too at a starting level. But upsides and flipsides seldom exist without each other. Most employees in these sectors are fresh graduates aged between 20 and 30 who are required to work odd hours (during US and UK work hours) in exchange of a handsome salary. This erratic schedule takes a toll on young bodies within a short period of time and health problems like obesity, insomnia, depression and chronic stress rear their ugly faces at a very early age. Reshma, who works in a Hyderabad-based call center says, “I have gained around 10 kilos in the past year since I started working. I hardly find time to cook or exercise because I come home in the morning and sleep through the day. It is difficult to catch up with old friends since their work hours are very different from mine but I cannot leave my job because I live on my own and I need the money to sustain myself in a big city like Hyderabad.” Just like Reshma, many youngsters feed off fast-food that is served in office cafeterias. Working during nights and sleeping during the day disrupts the body’s’ biological clock and confuses the system leading to a host of health issues. Some companies even offer high monetary incentives to encourage employees to work graveyard shifts. This unhealthy phenomenon breeds physical, mental and emotional problems like burnout, poor nutrition and lack of social life.
Youth and Social Media:
The latest manifestation of globalization comes in the form of social media – a phenomenon that has the world hooked; young and old alike. Social networking sites like Face-book, Orkut and Twitter are a rage among the youth though their advantages and disadvantages are still under a lot of scrutiny. These sites specifically target the young population although the number of older users is steadily on the rise. A section of the population may consider these sites an addictive waste of time but for many young Indians, it is the only medium to stay in constantly in touch with friends and family. In between academic and professional commitments, many people find it difficult to make time for personal phone calls or detailed e-mails. In such a scenario, posting a short message on a friend’s message board during work breaks seems like an ideal option. Moreover, users can update their family and friends about what is going on with their lives via status updates, photographs and videos. Social networking is a way of life for a large percentage of urban Indian youth as it helps them stay connected to the world 24/7. Says Arti, a young banking executive, “Our work schedules are so busy and weekends are the only time when we get to relax and complete pending chores at home. It used to be difficult to take time out for family but with social networking sites, it is possible to stay connected with everyone on a regular basis and keep each other updated”.
Social networking sites being a relatively new concept, young professionals occasionally jumble up professional and personal aspects of their lives leading to conflicts and complications. Recently, there have been instances of people losing their jobs because they unwittingly gave out confidential details about projects and companies on public networks and even for bad-mouthing bosses and colleagues. On the other hand, if used wisely and to effect, these networks can help find and secure suitable jobs and even promote businesses. For a global citizen it is convenient and easy to market their products and services through blogs, online advertisements, forums and e-campaigns. Job-seekers may choose to display their portfolio, hold discussions and network with like-minded people on professional sites such as LinkedIn.
Youth and Technology:
The modern day Indian is a lot more tech-savvy that his counterpart from yesteryears. Personal computers and mobile phones, which were an exclusive domain of the crème-de-la-crème of the society until a few years ago, have now managed to spill across socio-economic boundaries. India has now emerged as one of the largest user of mobile phones in the world. The availability of a source of constant communications has made life much easier for the youth of today. Many corporate professionals are now able to fulfill their professional commitments from remote locations which make working from home a feasible and much-desired option.
Information pertaining to just about anything on earth is now available at a click of a button. From health, academics and travel to finding local services, people can browse the internet and find an answer to almost anything. They can read up on news, opinions and trends and even share their own viewpoints on discussion forums. The result is a smarter and more aware generation equipped to make informed decisions.
Youth and Education Trends:
While Generation X is frequently referred to as the ‘brain-drained generation’, Generation Y is experiencing a reinforced pride in their national and ethnic identity. Now that job opportunities abound, fewer people prefer to leave home ground for the ‘Big American Dream’. The educational infrastructure in India, however, leaves much to be desired and improved upon. The paucity of seats in good colleges and the lack of standardization still force many students to move abroad for better educational opportunities. India is a powerhouse of talent when it comes to sports, music, arts and other creative fields. The youth today are aware of many such career opportunities and are confident enough to make a living out of ‘unconventional’ job profiles. The obsession for medical and technical degrees is fast waning and needless to say, this is a good sign. However, many ambitious and talented young people from conservative backgrounds still face resistance from their parents and society if they choose to walk down a less-trodden path. There was a time when young people were hardly allowed to form opinions, let alone express them or argue their point; ‘freedom of choice’ was an unpopular concept and children had to study, marry, work and behave as their parents wished them to. With a new generation of educated and socially aware parents, the Indian society is slowly but steadily inching towards liberalization and things are taking a favorable turn.
With new and rewarding career avenues opening up, the youth today face a lot less pressure for academic performance. The flipside is that the lure of plump salary packages by the BPO sector causes many young people to drop out of college and start working full-time when they could be pursuing higher education. The salaries are several times higher than what students get as pocket money from their parents and frequent raises in salaries keep them glued to the job.
Youth and Body Identity:
With the advent of globalization, media has gained a stronger foothold in the society. From politics and sports to movies and fashion, the media has the power to influence opinions, perspectives and decisions of the common man. The Indian youth is subjected to images of stick-thin models with perfect complexions and facial features. This propagates a certain ideal of beauty that is both fake and unrealistic. Impressionable youngsters are unaware of how images of these models are photo shopped and airbrushed to make them look otherworldly and perfect. In real life, models are as flawed as any of us. At present, the thinness frenzy has reached a level where a healthy teenage girl would consider herself a misfit in society if she piled on a couple of kilos. Young people who are even slightly overweight face immense pressure from their peers and are looked upon differently. Here it may be important to note that Indians are genetically very different from Caucasians and their body types are different too. Indian women inherently have rounder and curvier bodies as compared to western women who are more muscular, angular and athletic. It is not only impractical but also dangerous to try to conform to beauty standards that are not meant for your race. It is not uncommon to see teenage girls living off salads and soups and adolescent boys pumping supplements to achieve that lean, muscular look. It is an unhealthy pattern and more and more youngsters are falling prey to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Cashing in on the youths’ vulnerability, ‘slimming clinics’ that use dubious methods for weight loss have started sprawling all over the place. Young people must understand that poor nutrition in early years can lead to lifelong hormonal balances and metabolic problems. Youth is a challenging period in life when the body needs adequate nutrition to sustain itself through a demanding academic, personal and professional life.
Indians have forever been famous for their obsession for fair skin. Until a few years ago, girls with darker or whitish complexions were looked down upon and discriminated against. Even today, an average Indian would prefer to turn a few shades lighter if he/she could help it which is why fairness creams and lotions are a booming business all over the country. It is only recently that darker women have been accepted in the mainstream media and this has brought along a change in the way Indians perceive themselves.
In their quest for physical perfection, many young people miss out on a lot of fun and even put their health in peril. In short, we have an entire generation that is trying to squeeze itself into the mould of ‘perfect 10’ that the media and society seem to have created. It is important for young people to be aware and accepting of their physical characteristics and not allow media-generated perspectives affect their self-esteem.
Youth and Popular Culture:
The process of globalization has blurred national and cultural boundaries to a large extent. Indian youth now have an opportunity to understand and interact with people from different cultures. Give and take is a natural process when two or more cultures intermingle. Western values have slowly crept into the Indian mindset which is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, this exposure has been instrumental in raising a generation that is far more open-minded, liberal and equipped to fight social evils like dowry, infanticide, illiteracy and the ill-treatment meted out to women. There is no harm is adopting positive aspects of the western culture but at the same time it is also important to remain grounded to our roots and cultural identity. The problem arises when young people get carried away under the pressure to come across as ‘cool’ and begin to feel ashamed and embarrassed of their language, culture, traditions and family values – this leads to an identity crisis where an individual struggles to fit in with a culture that his not his own while rejecting his core identity. The ideal situation would be when the youth learns to dissociate “modernism” with “westernism”; while modernism is a state of mind, westernism is a way of life. For a healthy and progressive Indian society, we need more of the former that the latter.
With young people forming a large chunk of the corporate workforce, their spending power has increased by a few leaps. Just like the US, India is fast emerging as a consumerist society with all the big global brands making their way into the Indian market. The mall culture has drastically transformed shopping patterns. A few years ago, Rs.10000 would be the monthly income of a well-to-do family but today, an upper middle class lady would not flinch before swiping her credit card for a handbag costing the same!
Credit cards and bank loans have made it easier for young people to own things that may be priced beyond their reach. While the smarter ones invest in property and deposits, the frivolous ones shop their way into debts that they find impossible to pay back. This is precisely what happened in the US recently - many banks went bankrupt just because of indiscriminate use of credit cards and loans. If Indian youth are made aware of financial management and saving schemes, we may succeed in avoiding a similar situation in our country. Considering that people as young as 20 are working full-time, this becomes more of a necessity than an option.
Youth and Marriage:
The present generation is far more ambitious and career-driven than their previous counterparts and this includes women too. Career-oriented and materialism-driven lifestyles may be attributed to an increased level of competition in professional fields and the skyrocketing inflation. As a result, most young people prefer to postpone marriage and parenthood until they are well-settled in life. The obvious advantage is that young people get more time to devote to their work without any distraction from the domestic front, especially for women. However, the problems arising from this recent trend far outweigh the benefits. As people choose to marry late, they find it increasingly difficult to adjust to a new life with a new person. Rekha, 30 and single, was not ready for marriage until a few years ago. Now that she is doing well in her career as an advertizing professional, she wishes to settle down and start a family. The only problems is that her parents have been looking for a suitable groom but there is none that she considers good enough for herself and her criteria for selection is very complex too. Rekha is not alone - with maturity comes a certain level of strong-headedness and rigidity which is easier to ply with at a younger age. Also, since both spouses are career-driven, they find it hard to make time for each other and communicate important issues. The result is a higher divorce rate among young couples. Just as they delay marriage, women also prefer to push motherhood into their thirties. As a consequence, infertility related problems are commonplace and becoming a mother becomes more of a medical struggle than a natural biological process.
With demanding jobs, long commutes and extended office hours, young couples are struggling to strike a healthy work-life balance. Bringing work home and working past office hours or on weekends are common causes of marital conflicts.
Youth as an Individual:
Since the past few decades, there has been a drastic transformation in the Indian family structure. The joint family system, very common until a few years ago, is now an exception rather than a norm. Educated Indians move from smaller towns to bigger cities in search of better job opportunities and settle there as nuclear families. Due to financial support and lack of familial support, Gen X couples chose to have one, two or rarely, three children as opposed to their parents’ generation where broods of six to ten children were not an uncommon sight. This paradigm shift in social and family structure has had its impact on the personality of the modern-day Indian youth. Since most people from the present generation have grown up without the company of multiple siblings and extended family, they tend to be more introverted and self-centered. They sometimes find it frustrating and burdensome to adjust to relatives when they meet them occasionally. The concept of ‘personal space’ is fast taking over familial bonding and quality time with family as young people prefer to be on their own or with people from the same age group. Says Ashutosh, 20, “I don’t have anything against my extended family and cousins but whenever a relative comes to visit, I feel stifled and can’t wait for them to leave. I would rather be alone that in a company that I don’t enjoy”. For many a youth, mobile phones and the internet are the sole means of communication with the outside world. One can’t help but wonder if globalization and nuclear setups have given rise to a generation that is maladjusted and ill-equipped to deal with emotional factors.
Religion also seems to be losing its significance among the younger, educated generation which comes as a welcome change. For centuries, Indian society has been following unreasonable and rigid religious rituals that do nothing but hamper personal and societal growth. In order to establish ourselves as global citizens from a progressive nation, the youth must learn to differentiate between right and wrong; traditions and superstitions; as well as faith and unnecessary rituals.
Youth and Migration:
Gone are the days when young people migrated to a developed country (for education and employment) completely clueless about the language, culture and civic norms. Globalization and the internet have exposed the Indian youth to a variety of cultures, lifestyles and communication styles and most urban individuals don’t find it too hard to blend into the new society. Communication barriers have rarified as most Indians are well versed with globally accepted forms of English and social etiquette. Part of this may be attributed to the growing popularity of western TV shows and movies among the Indian youth. This may indeed be a positive manifestation but we must not forget that there is a large section of Indian youth in smaller towns and villages that still does not have access to quality education and training. In comparison with previous generations however, they are better informed and not as vulnerable.
Conclusion:
The picture painted by the current state of Indian youth may not be all rosy but it shows signs of positive change nevertheless. In a country with a population of over a billion, it does take time before reforms can make themselves significantly visible. Globalization comes as a boon to a nation that is home to so many natural resources, manpower, culture and industries. Thousands of new jobs are generated each day and local talent that was hitherto being wasted is now optimally utilized; although a lot more is left to be done in this direction.
The concept of ‘society’ and ‘culture’ is a dynamic one and it would help the country if the youth embrace positive aspects of global culture open-heartedly instead of clinging on to age-old value systems that pose an obstacle to growth and progression. In the same breath, it is also important to stay rooted to our identity as Indians as that is what makes us unique.
We live in an era of rapid urban and industrial growth but at the same time, it is our responsibility to stop for a moment and realize our boundaries. Growth and development should never be at the cost of environment and nature. The modern day youth is far more aware of environmental and conservation issues that affect the whole world. As responsible global citizens, we must pledge to do all that we can to make the world a better place.