Dear Editor,
As teenagers are the future of our society, we give them lots of rights and chances to learn, so they can well equip themselves and grow. However, have we ever been concerned about what they want and what makes them happy?
A recent survey has found that young people place money at the top of their happiness list and they rank having good relations with family the fourth place. Another survey revealed that the top two goals among young people are to own a property and earn more money. This kind of surveys has been conducted for so many times but few people are aware of the problem the reveal. Recently, a secondary student has distributed money to his classmates in the school in order to gain respect and love from others. This makes the public aware of the teenager’s problems and what they think. What makes them place money at the top of their happiness list?
Some may say teenagers like to show off their wealth with brand-name bags. They need money to buy new, fancy and hi-tech gadgets, so that they can gain recognition and respect from their friends. Therefore, they see money as their major source of happiness. I will not query this view. But is this the only reason why teenagers are so much indulged in their material life? Certainly not. As there has been great economic development in Hong Kong in the last few decades, children and teenagers enjoy the prosperous life. Moreover, the society keeps on telling the young generation the importance of doing better and trying their best to gain more for themselves. The society teaches them not to be satisfied. On the other hand, different companies and media keep on producing new services and products. They use all methods to promote the products to teenagers. That is why they want to have the latest gadgets and place money at the top of their happiness list.
Though I do not think that only teenagers should be responsible for this problem, I do hope that teenagers will not view money as their major source of happiness. If money has become their top priority in life and can affect their happiness directly, they will never be satisfied. Nothing can satisfy one’s greed for money. They may have already had a lot but they will desire for gaining more money continuously. Originally, people need to work and earn money to support their basic needs in life. However, teenagers now think that money can give them all the things they want. Sadly, they are enslaved by money.
Secondly, it is horrible that teenagers place owning a property and earning money as their first two goals. We always think that youngsters are energetic and promising. They are full of dreams and ideals which are the driving force to urge them to work harder and to make improvement. However, these surveys tell us that their goals are buying a flat and earning more money. Teenagers nowadays have become too realistic and this has hidden their dream and they miss what they really need. In addition, their goals should not be only satisfying their selfish desire. They should think of how to contribute to society. They should not just care about what they can gain for themselves but ignore the needs of people around them and the well-being of our society.
I think teenagers should think again what they really need and try to understand themselves. Also they should try to enjoy the time with their family and friends, but not just focus on what money can buy for them. In this way, they will not just grow physically in size, but have an all-round development, particularly their personality and values.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong
Chris Wong