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12 Things Indian Youth Are Restricted From Doing

By Anirudh Narayanan

National Youth's Day Special

According to the United Nations, a youth is defined as someone who belongs to the age group of 10 to 24. Going by that definition, India has 356 million youths. The youth of any nation always has to live up to certain expectations and a set of rules set forth by the previous generation.

This older generation is quite judgemental and often a pain in the arse for the current crop of youth. Indian youth have to face a vast set of problems. Indian youth and their problems can be so trivial sometimes. They are quite prominent, logically speaking.

10 Bad Habits Of Today's Youth

Indian youth are relative to words like full of life, enthusiastic, zealous, passionate and the likes. But they have also been called restless, maniac, impatient and not to forget stupid.

The truth is that humans have always faced revolting situations whenever a new generation has came along. The problem just gets magnified to a whole new level now. The youth in our country are restricted from doing a lot of things. 'Freedom' comes with a set of predefined rules. Anything outside that box is open to public scrutiny (Ex: Section 377: LGBT Rights) and will be dealt with an iron hand.

Read on and see if you relate to some of them.

Note: The views expressed here are critical in nature. Of course, there are various other possibilities but we are covering the most critical in nature.

Following their dreams

Following their dreams

Dreams in India are subject to parental scrutiny! Following your dream is a luxury many youth cannot afford, as it is already dreamt for in advance.

Sex: Speaking or indulging in it

Sex: Speaking or indulging in it

Sex is like a myth in India! It is sacrilegious to even speak about it. One of the major problems facing Indian youth is sex, speaking or revelling in it.

Public display of affection

Public display of affection

Canoodling in public can be injurious to the health of the couple! At least Indian youth faces this problem regularly. There was a campaign recently, Kiss Of Love, that took up arms against moral policing and worked towards strengthening the rights of the people to show their affection in public. We wish them luck!

Drinking or smoking

Drinking or smoking

In India, another major problem the youth faces is that of indulging in vices. Sure, they are bad in excess but that's completely left to the individual and his perspective.

Standing up for a cause [kiss of love]

Standing up for a cause [kiss of love]

Candlelight vigils are mostly carried by the youth and are supposed to be non-violent. But most of the times, the youth is humiliated and beaten. Another problem that the Indian youth faces is his/her right to stand up for a cause.

Free thought and perspective

Free thought and perspective

Bertrand Russel said, "Never try to discourage thinking, for you are sure to succeed." Free thought and a different perspective are discouraged like plague in India. But without a free thought process, people will be forever slave to old methods. It is one of the problems affecting Indian youth and one that also needs to be tackled immediately.

Having friends from the opposite gender

Having friends from the opposite gender

A guy and girl can never be friends, at least in India. Having a friend from the opposite gender raises more than a few eyebrows. It is shocking to find that the Indian youth and their problems can be so trivial!

Dressing as they want

Dressing as they want

Clothes have been blamed for rapes, titillation, provocation and what not! The Indian youth and their problems involve not being able to wear their mind.

Watching porn

Watching porn

Let's face some facts! Everybody watches porn. Yup, let that sink in. Any person who says he/she doesn't is lying. It is human nature and we're wired that way. Watching porn is considered almost a crime and is restricted.

Going against religion

Going against religion

Religion forced down their throats isn't going to make the youth believe in it. Hence, it's not shocking that there are many agnostics and atheists in India. Problems faced by Indian youth includes going against one's religion. Elders have to understand that religion cannot be forced.

Opposing elder's viewpoint

Opposing elder's viewpoint

Indian youth and their problems can also be attributed to the differing viewpoints between them and the elders. Elders think that their views are always right, no matter what. Well, think again!

Marrying a girl/boy of their choice

Marrying a girl/boy of their choice

Marrying a girl/boy of your choice can potentially end all your ties with your family. It's a taboo and even in 2015, it torments us. There is no sign that the Indian youth problems are nearing an end. But evolution has always surprised us. Let's wait and watch.

Story first published: Monday, January 12, 2015, 15:04 [IST]
Read more about: youth