Anwer Hussain Wani
“Why financial indiscipline, blind imitation and unrealistic expectations among the younger generation demand urgent social attention
At a time when the world is witnessing economic uncertainty, financial instability and an unprecedented rise in the cost of living, an emerging social concern deserves serious attention: the growing tendency among youngsters and teenagers towards excessive spending, materialism and the blind imitation of lifestyles that are often far beyond the financial means of their families. The consequences of this trend are particularly distressing for middle-class and lower-middle-class households, where parents are already struggling to balance limited incomes against rising household expenses, educational costs and other essential responsibilities. What was once a manageable family budget is increasingly becoming a source of financial pressure, emotional exhaustion and domestic tension. One cannot overlook the growing influence of social media, peer pressure and the culture of instant gratification in shaping the attitudes and expectations of young minds.
Expensive gadgets, branded clothing, fashionable accessories, lavish outings and extravagant lifestyles are increasingly being projected as symbols of social status and personal success. Unfortunately, many youngsters are beginning to measure their worth by what they possess rather than by what they achieve through knowledge, character, discipline and hard work. What makes this phenomenon particularly concerning is the tendency to imitate lifestyles without understanding the economic realities behind them. The glamorous images displayed on social media represent only the attractive surface of someone’s life, concealing the financial circumstances, sacrifices and struggles that may exist behind the scenes. Yet these carefully projected images create expectations that ordinary families can hardly afford to fulfil.
When Consumerism Begins To Cost Families Their Livelihoods: The seriousness of this issue becomes even more disturbing when one encounters real-life incidents that reveal the extent to which unreasonable expectations and blind imitation can affect ordinary families. I recall an emotionally distressing incident in which a parent approached me in tears. He narrated how his son had pressurised him to sell the family’s only cow, which was their sole source of regular income, simply to purchase an iPhone because one of his friends possessed the same device. Imagine the helplessness of a parent being compelled to consider sacrificing the very source of his family’s livelihood merely to satisfy a demand arising out of peer pressure. In another instance, a parent reportedly sold a piece of family land to secure admission for his son to a coaching institution in Kota, Rajasthan, simply because a friend belonging to a financially affluent family had enrolled there. Tragically, despite this enormous financial sacrifice, the student failed in both the Class 11 and Class 12 examinations conducted by JKBOSE. This incident raises a painful question: should parents have to put their family’s financial security at stake merely to imitate the educational choices of others? Another equally concerning incident involved a student who, despite failing his Class 10 examination, pressurised his parents into purchasing a motorcycle worth approximately Rs 2 lakh. His justification was simply that a friend who had passed the same examination in the same year had received an identical motorcycle as a gift from his parents. These are not merely isolated stories of excessive demands. They reflect a deeper social problem in which comparison is beginning to overshadow common sense, material possessions are gaining precedence over personal achievement, and parental sacrifices are increasingly being taken for granted. The identities of all individuals and families have deliberately been withheld to protect their dignity and privacy. There are several other instances of a similar nature within my knowledge, but I consciously refrain from disclosing them because my conscience does not permit me to expose the personal struggles and vulnerabilities of ordinary families. These examples are being shared not to embarrass any child or parent, but to encourage serious reflection on a growing social concern.
“To build a meaningful life, we must teach the next generation to value character over consumption. True worth isn’t measured by expensive brands or extravagant lifestyles, but by personal values, financial wisdom, and deep respect for family sacrifices. When we elevate relationships above material possessions, we relieve ordinary families from crushing burdens and raise children grounded in dignity and simplicity.”
The Responsibility Is Collective: However, it would be unfair to place the entire responsibility on youngsters. The changing social environment, an aggressive consumer culture, commercial influences, peer competition and the absence of adequate financial education have all contributed to this problem. Children and teenagers are growing up in a society where possessing more is often celebrated, while simplicity, contentment, financial restraint and responsible living receive comparatively little appreciation. Advertisements and social media trends continuously create new desires, making it increasingly difficult for young minds to distinguish between genuine needs and artificially created wants. This is precisely where collective social responsibility becomes essential. Parents must create an environment of open communication within their families and help children understand the value of money, the importance of financial priorities and the difference between necessities and luxuries. Educational institutions should introduce meaningful lessons on financial literacy, responsible consumption, saving habits and the dignity of honest living. Teachers, civil society organisations, policymakers and the media must also contribute towards promoting healthier social values. Most importantly, young people need to understand that their parents’ financial limitations are not a matter of shame. The dignity of a family does not lie in expensive possessions or in its ability to maintain an artificial lifestyle, but in honesty, hard work, mutual respect and responsible living. A child’s worth is never determined by the brand of a mobile phone, the price of a motorcycle or the clothes one wears. Similarly, a parent’s inability to purchase an expensive gadget or fashionable accessory should never be interpreted as a lack of love or affection. Sometimes, saying no is the greatest expression of parental responsibility, because safeguarding a family’s future is far more important than satisfying a temporary desire. We must also recognise that financial discipline is not simply about restricting expenditure. It is about developing sound judgement, understanding priorities and learning to distinguish between what we desire and what we genuinely need. A society that teaches its younger generation how to earn, save, spend wisely and respect the sacrifices of others is investing in a more responsible and financially conscious future. Perhaps the greatest gift parents can give their children is not the ability to afford everything they demand, but the wisdom to understand that everything desirable is not necessarily affordable, and everything affordable is not necessarily worth possessing.
A Call For Social Reflection: It is time for parents, teachers, educational institutions, civil society and policymakers to reflect seriously on this growing trend. Unless we address the culture of excessive consumerism, unhealthy comparison and blind imitation, the financial and emotional burden on ordinary families may continue to deepen. The need of the hour is not merely to raise a generation that aspires to a better lifestyle, but to nurture one that understands the value of money, respects parental sacrifices and finds dignity in simplicity rather than extravagance. Let us teach our children that a family’s dignity is never determined by the price of its possessions, nor is a child’s worth measured by the brand of a phone, the cost of a motorcycle or the extravagance of a lifestyle. After all, the true measure of a person’s worth lies not in what one possesses, but in one’s values, responsibilities, achievements and ability to respect the sacrifices made by others. A meaningful life is not built by acquiring everything we desire; it is built by learning what truly matters, living within our means, and never allowing material possessions to become more valuable than the people and relationships that sustain us.
(The author is a teacher and President of the Jammu and Kashmir General Line Teachers Forum. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
[email protected]
