A paradigm shift needed

Read the book review by Linda Lim, Professor of Strategy at University of Michigan of a book consisting of essays written by SMU graduating students who were given freedom on choice of content (Making Sense of Life @/& SMU). Apart from introspective views on race, religion, sex and death  which renders interesting read the professor walks away with concerns that these young people with their narrow horizons may be inadequately prepared for a landscape fraught with changes and uncertainty.

She formed this opinion as many graduating students expressed the same dream of a job in finance, consulting or large corporates. The amazing thing is most of these self proclaimed "conformists" come from comfortable, upper middle/high income families who are well travelled and exposed  and who can also afford more risk taking and pursuit of personal interest. Yet these youngsters often remarked they have "no choice"

The professor also noticed an absence  in intellectual pursuits and inquiry. Also missing are "thinking big" and dreams of "changing the world" or "making a difference" often observed in students in foreign universities.As one  foreign student in SMU observes :
"Few students read anything besides professional or "self-help" books. They are "risk-averse" "salarymen" in a "myopic", "monotonic" and "monochromatic" society, where "the Singapore journey to meaning is one of a clear path - defined by good grades, good schools and eventually, a good job", and where relationships are "transactional" rather than engaged in for their own sake.".

Having read this review, I ponder what are the conditions which lead to this common trait among our youngsters.

Firstly this pragmatic approach has actually served us, the baby boomers, well during our times and we have probably ingrained this successful one tract pragmatism onto the next generation.

Secondly the definition of success was collectively agreed to the narrow confines of children with good grades in good schools/colleges and graduating with well paid jobs with accompanying trappings of private housing and other life comfort.

Thirdly the need to be branded as "successful" could have arisen from deep cultural conditioning. I feel status and Face plays great importance in Chinese and Indian culture and the fear of losing face 丢脸 is prevalent. This has roots from group based thinking and bringing honour to your family is important explaining thus the "no choice" remarks.
As someone puts it:
"How we are perceived or seen by others plays a significant influence on our behaviour and the decisions we make. It even takes precedence over our own happiness,"

Now this narrow view of the world which we passed on to our young will be an albatross to haunt us. I think we need to collectively change our world view to help our young meet the challenges ahead. A paradigm shift is needed.