Of all the evidence that younger generations are living in the shadow of insecurity, depression is the most compelling. Anxiety, which accompanies the daily lives of a record number of young people, paints a picture of a generation that experiences an almost constant lack of control.
Whether at home, at school, at work, or in interpersonal or romantic relationships, young people feel the grip of uncertainty, which hinders their ability to be and become who they truly are.
Even within the increasingly intimate realm of spirituality, insecurity becomes the dominant theme, exacerbated by the prevailing cultural climate. Young people start by hesitating and end up convinced that they should not try to convince those around them of the value of their beliefs. However, the paradox of this self-censorship becomes less paradoxical when considered within the broader context of ill-conceived ideological inclusivity.
Furthermore, this uncertainty affects the transmission of moral values to tomorrow’s society. This is not only because younger generations are no longer very sure of the practical usefulness of these values under the influence of unfortunate societal examples, but also because, rather than making them tolerant, relativism has succeeded in deepening their axiological uncertainty.
It is no coincidence that the need for meaning tops the list of confessions of younger generations.
In line with much of what psychology suggests should be done to eliminate uncertainty, the Bible offers an iconic story in 1 Samuel 3. God seeks the young Samuel (who will become a great prophet), but Samuel does not realise that it is God speaking to him. He needs the guidance of the elderly priest Eli to enter into dialogue with the divine.
In other words, younger generations need older generations to mentor them in discovering values and authentic role models, and to help them recognise the divine in their lives. In order to fulfil their role successfully, older generations must understand that young people are discovering the world and its values in new yet valid ways, and that they will discover and understand more than previous generations. Finally, as the biblical illustration shows, they must accept that God speaks directly to young people.
Insecurity thrives where the roots of identity and the meaning of life cannot take hold.
This is why, in order to benefit from quality mentoring (which should seek to facilitate revelatory encounters with truth, morality, or God rather than seeking to indoctrinate them), young people must discover for themselves how to drain the quagmire of insecurity, allowing the ground beneath their feet to become fertile and solid for the roots of a strong identity.
Norel Iacob is editor-in-chief of ST Network.
