Honglen
Economics Department, Immanuel College
In today's fast-paced, hypercompetitive society, young people are caught up in an invisible race a dash to succeed before they even know what success really means. The expectations placed on young people's shoulders are higher than ever, fueled by societal norms, academic pressures, parental hopes, and the silent comparisons caused by social media. Every move they take feels like a test, and every decision they make is compared to what others are doing or expect them to do.
Students are educated from an early age to strive for high grades, top rankings, and prestigious professional professions. Success is typically narrowly defined, with options such as becoming a doctor, engineer, or civil servant or securing a high-paying business position. Failure is rarely viewed as a stepping stone; rather, it is feared, avoided, and sometimes associated with shame. This worldview generates a generation that values achievement over work or growth. It teaches children that the outcome is more important than the process and that if they don't win, they don't matter.
While social media was designed to foster connection and expression, it has gradually evolved into a mirror that only shows carefully controlled success stories. A teen going through their page may see peers clearing challenging exams, studying overseas, starting businesses, earning thousands of followers, or receiving prizes. It subtly instills the thought, "Am I falling behind?" Even moments of respite feel like guilt trips, as if halting equals failing. Leisure becomes a luxury, and comparison is omnipresent.
Parents and educators, despite their best intentions, sometimes unwittingly contribute to this burden. In order to inspire their children, parents compare them to others or force them into careers that reflect their own dreams or regrets. Many young people are told what they should become rather than being asked what they want to be. The pressure isn't just to do well; it's to succeed at tasks they may not particularly enjoy.
What was the result? Increasing anxiety, exhaustion, and identity conflicts. According to numerous mental health studies, sadness among young people is at an all-time high, not because they lack motivation or discipline, but because they believe they must be perfect. And, as we all know, perfection is a myth that destroys more aspirations than it inspires. When success becomes a set ideal rather than a flexible path, young people lose sight of who they are while chasing who they are supposed to be.
It is time for society to pause and reconsider what success truly means. Instead than viewing it as a list of degrees, occupations, and earnings, we need to understand it as something highly personal and ever-changing. A young person who chooses enthusiasm over pressure, or peace over money, deserves the same respect as someone who aced entrance tests or landed renowned professions. Success should not be about comparison, but about understanding yourself and living with purpose and self-esteem.
The youths do not lack ambition; they simply lack the space to breathe, to explore without fear, and to fail without being stigmatized. They need mentors, not judges. They need listeners, not commanders. Freedom, like guidance, is necessary for cultivating brains. Because true success is found in identifying, defining, and living one's own goal, rather than chasing someone else's.
Allow the youth to dream freely, not to prove, but to become. This is where true success begins.
