TODAY is Independence Day. On the back of Arshad Nadeem’s victory in the Olympics this one appears to be a bit less grim than the ones immediately preceding it. As many commentators have opined at length, the victory of an underdog for an underdog nation points to possibilities and in doing so charges the engine of hope. And yet, while the underdog’s story is the material that will fuel the dreams of many millions, a moment must also be spent on reflecting on the world into which we are bringing future underdogs.

Aug 12 marked the annual UN commemoration of International Youth Day. As the world hurtles into ever greater paroxysms of chaos and turmoil, it is becoming increasingly difficult to take these regular commemorations seriously. In this case, however, in a country made up mostly of youth, taking a moment to consider the sort of world into which we are bringing even more young ones seems like a worthwhile use of time.

It is not news to anyone that Pakistan is experiencing what is euphemistically referred to as the ‘youth bulge’, an unusually large youth cohort — in Pakistan’s over 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 30, and around 30pc in the 15- to 29-years bracket.

The problem, of course, is that when this topic or these figures are offered up, too many people succumb to the fallacy that more is always good. Instead of understanding that having a large population of youngsters virtually guarantees that there will be too few resources to give these young people a decent existence — be they educational opportunities, health facilities, employment or any of the basics of life — these people think that the ‘bigger’ we are in terms of population the greater we will be in terms of might.

Pakistani society must be transformed and be made more hospitable for young people.

Evidence of this lies in what people do, or rather what people do not do. Despite all sorts of campaigns since Pakistan’s inception, the fertility rate in the country is around 3.5, which is the highest in South Asia (not counting Afghanistan which is also a part of Saarc). The ‘youth bulge’ is a topic of concern, so much so that it often figures in the civil service examinations that many of our youth try to pass in the hope of a better future. The story there is dismal; the vast majority will not pass the exam and will be relegated to the grim fate of searching for jobs that are simply not there. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023-2024, the age group between 15-24 years shows the highest unemployment rate in the country. Not only does this create severe and long-lasting economic impacts for the country, it also has a significant effect on the mental health of an entire generation.

Many young people came of age during the lockdowns of Covid-19 that created a general feeling of uncertainty regarding what the world holds for our youth. The pandemic passed on its longer-term effects in the form of inflation, a constricted job market and drying up opportunities to the youth, many of whom wish to emigrate to escape this environment of negativity. It is one thing to encourage the young population to have hope and to look at the victory of an Olympian as an example of being able to persevere against all odds, and it is quite another to hope for a better trajectory for them when very few policies are being implemented that guarantee a happier future.

In addition to these measures, the social and cultural environment of Pakistani society must be transformed and be made more hospitable for young people. Social media has made the lives of the very wealthy and famous accessible to even the poorest individual. Research has shown that apps like Instagram create an environment of constant comparison where young people report high levels of anxiety and depression because they feel pressured to match the consumption levels and lifestyle of wealthier people.

While a lot is said in the media about this, very little is done to help young people manage the mental health consequences of the new world. It is not enough to simply tell young people to put down their phones or to stop using them. This may make sense to older people who did not grow up in an environment where they were in constant possession of their phones, but is less likely to work for those who see it as an important navigation device for their entire lives.

Prevailing against the odds is a good thing and all examples of doing so are worthy ones to hold up before the young generation. However, it is incumbent upon the older adults in the country — the grown-ups so to speak — to also reduce the obstacles and odds that young people will have to face. This begins with implementing workable programmes to stop population growth so that we are not stacking the deck against those who are already living.

Secondly, efforts need to be made by the government to develop trainee and internship programmes so that those who emerge from educational institutions do not search aimlessly for jobs that are simply not there.

Finally, it is important for people to understand the particular mental and emotional stresses associated with inhabiting a virtual world that is both necessary for social survival and cruel in terms of its ability to eviscerate the self-confidence of those who have not yet grown to adulthood. It is always fantastic and laudable when the underdog wins, but at some point, it is also necessary to aim to be the favourite in a competition. Favourites, after all, tend to win far more often.

The writer is an attorney teaching constitutional law and political philosophy.

rafia.zakaria@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2024