Having read an article recently on the behavioural patterns of Japanese youths between the ages of 18-25, I began thinking about our own behavior. On the exterior young adult Japanese appear to be westernized in clothing and other aspects of their lives but once they reach a certain old, approx. 25, they revert to traditional values. Up to the age of 25 appears to be the time in their lives when they are allowed to explore their personal more then traditional world. However, eventually they will conform and “do the right thing”.
This got me thinking, ‘Are we any different?’
What are our core values? A child dies every 30 seconds, there are riots on the streets in Athens because the economic structure we belong to are breaking down, children are going to school hungry in the morning because their parents are out of jobs. This is the harsh reality of life all around us.
However, I feel like I’m seeing all this through a glass wall, a trouble free bubble of security and warmth. In my bubble the things that are important to my generation are not who will save the Euro Zone or how can we stop people trafficking. We are more likely to ask,
When will the next new iPhone be out?
What will I be wearing in the spring and can I predict the trends before my friends?
Will my favorite ball gown cut it at this year’s Commerce ball?
Is Facebook actually going to start charging money to use it?
The question really is, ‘ When is it time to break the glass and emerge into the world where real things are happening?’
It’s scary to leave the world inside the bubble and yet there are all sorts of exciting things to be experienced and explored out there. When is the right time to leave that comfort zone behind?
Nothing real will ever really happen if I stay here.
Roll on graduation….not!
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