The charming valleys of Kashmir have long been a symbol of beauty and peace, but beyond the peaceful appearance lies a story of the youth who are attempting to carve out their own pathways while wrestling with the weight of the expectations placed on them by their parents. In this article I fall into the complex relationship that exists between the aspirations of the young people of Kashmir and the expectations that are put on them by their well-meaning parents.
The Kashmiri Youth Dilemma
The young people of Kashmir, much like youngsters in other areas of the world, aspire of achieving success, learning more about themselves, and developing their personalities. On the other hand, people frequently find themselves stuck in a game of tug-of-war between their goals and the deeply embedded customs and expectations that have been established by their families. The distinct cultural fabric of Kashmir adds another layer to this dilemma because there is a high emphasis placed on the preservation of tradition, which frequently results in a conflict with the desire for modernity and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
Parental Expectations: A Double-Edged Sword
Even while loving and concerned parents have good intentions when establishing expectations for their children, those expectations might unconsciously restrict the growth of young minds that are striving for autonomy. The memory of struggle and unpredictability is a major factor in parents’ desire that their children follow career pathways. This factor is driven by the significance of stability and secure employment choices. However, despite its well intentions, this advice may make it less likely that an individual will investigate less conventional paths that could be a better match for their own interests and abilities.
Education System and Societal Pressures
The Kashmiri educational system plays a key part in the formation of locals’ conceptions of what constitutes success and merit. A preoccupation on rote learning and conventional job paths may unwittingly serve to bolster the influence of parents. Some of these constraints can be alleviated by expanding the concept of success to include a variety of different professional pathways and by encouraging innovation in educational settings.
Empowerment through Awareness
The exposure of parents and young people to success stories that vary from normal paths would be beneficial to all parties involved. It is possible to provide inspiration, hope, and support for an approach to personal development that is more inclusive by highlighting those who have managed to find fulfillments while respecting their cultural heritage. Such people can serve as models for others to look up to.
Conclusion
The interaction between Kashmiri youth and parental pressure is a multidimensional issue that demands empathy, open conversation, and a willingness to adapt to changing times. To address this issue effectively, all parties involved need to be willing to change. As a result of the region’s ongoing development, its conception of what constitutes success and fulfillments must also advance. It is possible for the youth of Kashmir to be empowered to embrace their aspirations while still being anchored in their rich cultural history if an environment is fostered in Kashmir that allows traditions and dreams to coexist in harmony.
(Author is a Research Scholar at Mittal school of Business, Lovely Professional University)
