Rising youth disillusionment due to materialism, unemployment, and weakening moral values.
Castellated knowledge without its practical application is the ultimate demise of progress and development in any society, and this burgeoning trust deficit regarding bright and promising futures among our educated youth is, unfortunately, increasing due to multiple perplexing reasons.
It is causing profound depression, mounting frustration, and a heightened level of discontent among young people amid the uncertainty prevailing in our society.
After the rapid emergence of the internet and social media at the beginning of this millennium, the sources of knowledge have expanded, but the urge to learn has significantly declined.
In the past, knowledge seekers loved visiting libraries, once regarded as repositories of authentic information, and attended gatherings of scholars to quench their intellectual thirst. Today, this admirable trend has begun to fade.
People now seem less interested in acquiring knowledge, adopting a pessimistic belief that knowledge alone cannot help them achieve wealth and luxury. This damaging perception among the educated youth is devastating lives in general and students in particular.
In today’s world, knowledge is often pursued not for enlightenment or moral discernment, but merely for securing lucrative jobs and material comforts.
Another troubling dimension of this mindset is the unwarranted comparison between the learned and the materially successful. Knowledge has been sidelined in favour of a materialistic outlook, creating visible divisions in society. This has fostered frustration, confusion, and a sense of inferiority among educated youth who lack adequate employment opportunities.
The glorification of wealth has further deepened this crisis. Celebrities from showbiz, fashion, and sports are elevated as icons, while scholars and intellectuals are neglected. A society that sidelines its thinkers is bound to decline, as intellectual leadership cannot thrive in an environment riddled with injustice and inequality.
To prevent further deterioration, it is imperative to ensure equal employment opportunities for educated individuals and to prioritise merit. Failure to address this trust deficit could lead to severe consequences for society.
Religious belief is often considered a private matter, yet it sometimes invites wider concern. A recent conversation with a friend, a PhD physicist and university professor, revealed deep anxiety about the current youth. He expressed concern over their growing detachment from social norms and religious practices.
According to him, many young people are increasingly influenced by agnostic and sceptical ideas circulating on social media, often without critical analysis. He feared that within a decade, practising Muslims might become rare among the youth. This shift is further compounded by a tendency among students to ridicule religious adherence, labelling it as backward.
While we live in an age of remarkable scientific advancement, it is evident that many have drifted away from religious and ethical foundations. This raises serious questions about the direction of our society.
There is an urgent need to revive moral and spiritual awareness and to engage youth in meaningful dialogue rather than allowing them to drift into confusion.
Addressing both the intellectual and moral crises facing our youth requires collective effort. The government, educators, and religious scholars must work together to restore balance, ensuring that knowledge, ethics, and opportunity coexist harmoniously.
The views presented in this article are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Global Strategic Forum – GSF.
Prof Sajjad Khattak
A freelance columnist and contributor, can be reached at sajjadkhatak30@gmail.com.
- Prof Sajjad Khattak
- Prof Sajjad Khattak
- Prof Sajjad Khattak
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