COVER STORY (Spotlight Weekly)

Emerging Trends And Tastes

In the post-liberalization era, new social values are replacing the age-old traditional ones. Whether it is the taste for food, dress, watches or shoes, urban youths now have whole lot of options and they are sticking to modern ones. Costly new fashions and trends are being embraced by urban youths from affluent section of the society. What is more, the teens are no longer ashamed to flaunt their new found hobbies

By KESHAB POUDEL

The Ice Cream Parlor at the Wimpy's in Durbarmarg is filled with teenage kids sitting together with friends from opposite sexes hugging each other.

The youths in the country are no longer ashamed to come out of their homes. Apart from the Wimpy's, there are scores of other "junctions" for these youths. Such junctions include ice-cream parlors, dance restaurants, discos, health clubs and snooker/pool houses spread across the valley.

Along with such outdoor recreational centers, satellite TV channels and local FM radio stations provide youths with the unprecedented opportunities to experience global trends in their backyards and just before the prying eyes of their anxious parents. With cellular and pagers in their hands and access to internet and computers, the urban youths are tasting the new frontiers opened up by the communication revolution.

The youth phenomenon, though it is restricted to the urban areas, shows the upsurge of new classes in the society.

The information technology provides greater opportunity for youths to experiment with anything that is new and alien.

If television gives them the inclination, friends fill them in with details. More than any other generation in this century, the urban youth today is experimenting with varieties of new cultures.

New age parenting, dumping of conservative values and wearing a more liberal and uninhibited face ushers new values in society. In urban areas, girls and boys are allowed out more easily. Dating is no longer a taboo and there is much less parental supervision.

Although this type of group of population is very small, they represent the symbol of change. Meanwhile, though the rural social and environmental situation is different, rural population feel proud to copy the urban fashion.

In the last one year alone, more than a dozen of new fast food chains sprung up in different parts of the valley. Outside the valley, new restaurants along the Trishuli Road and Nagarkot are luring the youths.

The snooker/pool houses, health clubs and discos were unknown a few years ago. Large number of recreation centers show that the life of urban teens is changing drastically. In the evening, flock of youth occupy spaces at restaurants, ice-cream parlors and snooker pools.

"I usually visit the ice cream parlors and snooker pools," said Laxmi Pandey, 19, a girl who wants to become a model. "There is no restriction from family as my parents know where I go."

Pandey is not alone to have a liberal family as large number of urban families permit their offsprings to visit the restaurants and parlors. "Only the kids of neo-rich family visit pubs. As girls usually visit such places with boy friends, they don't need to have money," said a sociologist.

Because of the internet, the horizon of youth has widened. There is a lot of opportunities for learning there. The youths of today are much more knowledgeable.

Some parents even encourage their kids to visit such recreational centers. "The children need different types of exposures," said Milan Sharma, a father of two children.

Compared to the others, offsprings of Lahure communities dominate the market. "We have all kinds of clients but most of them are from retired and working Gurkha soldiers (also known as Lahure) family," said a hotel owner at Jawalakhel.

Amrita Gurung (not real name), a daughter of a retired former Gurkha soldier, is a regular visitor to a recreation club at Patan. She visits there with her boy friend who is also a son of former British Army.

"My parents do not mind where I go," said Gurung. Compared to Brahmin and other communities, who are more conservative, offsprings of this community enjoy more freedom.

Although this is a small but growing slice of urban youth society, they are experimenting with everything from cyber sex to disco going as forms of entertainment.

This new trend is the reflection of changing values in family as well as individual behavior which is heavily influenced by western culture that is seeping in through the satellite television. Internet and computers are also forcing these changes.

The participation of youth in the recreational activities some time turn violent.

What is most interesting is the fact that many of these young teens come from upper middle-class families where parents have little time for them. A generation of "liberal" children have grown up with loose parental control.

As the culture of close parental cure is vanishing, some youngsters are falling prey to crime and drug abuse. In such families, the kids do not get adequate nurturing, guidance, or supervision necessary to instil a set of values and a behavior code.

"Children require psychological therapy to cope with social change. The role of parents is to influence their children on what the values and social system are all about," said Murari Regmi, a psychologist."Freedom necessarily does not mean to allow the children to do what they like."

A side-effect of absentee parents can be seen in the kids of many upper middle class families where notion of westernization is misunderstood.

"The new cultures have brought conflicting situation in the harmonization of the society. As the government does not care about the employment, large number of youths are forced to spend their life with a plight of scarcity," said Naresh Rana, 25. "I hate to go to poolhouse which is now a center for all bad practices."

The change in the youth behavior is not only the part of westernization. The increased economic affluence in urban centers also play a very prominent role.

"As indigenous atmosphere is weak and less influential, the exogenous is gradually dominating social sphere," said sociologist Padma Lal Devkota. "We are in a phase of cultural crisis."

Although the new social trends do not represent the mass culture, it is gradually invading simple rural culture.

Can anything be done to minimize the impact of westernizatiion? Many pitch for more social control and family control. But that is like shooting on the moon.

Offsprings of bureaucrats and politicians who have studied abroad, families of British and Indian Army and tourists are the patrons of new cultures. The satellite TVs and FM radio stations impose the new behavior through different programs.

As purchasing power goes up, families offer more money to their offsprings. The ingress of new trends in urban centers are the result of emerging affluent urban population who can afford modern means of living.

"It is limited to the small number of kids whose parents earn most of the time through illegal means," says sociologist Laya Upreti. "We are now aping the west."

Large number of people in society have yet to accept new culture and they are witnessing the change uneasily. But even then, youths from even the rural society are starting to mimic their urban counterparts by wearing fashionable clothes and sporting modern outlook.

The participation of youth in urban area continues to rise. If increasing number of fast food restaurants, ice cream parlors and recreation centers are any indication, the culture seem to be gradually expanding in the city areas.

But this is the new millennium we're in, with revised gender perceptions. It's out with traditional roles and in with new ones. More specifically it is the age of the new age kids who may enjoy to join cafe, restaurants, parks and other pool houses taking active part in FM Radio programs and going on an outing with girlfriends.

So what is it that marks them as new age kids? "This is a trend of consumerism," remarks psychologist Dr. Regmi. "I have noted that the youths today are generally very involved on a day-to-day basis with their parents."

One reason of this phenomenon is the growing affluence in urban area where both parents work and encourage their kids to go out. Though this is, admittedly, largely an urban phenomenon.

The other factor is more subtle. Call it the liberal society or genuine desire of parents to make their children free.

Laya Upreti, a sociologist, says "The roles of youth are rapidly changing - mostly in the cities. We are still a developing country with over 80 percent people living in rural areas and urban youths do not get opportunity to visit these areas." In the rural areas, for example, there is virtually no opportunity.

Modern youth lifestyle is expensive and confined to the rich urban youth - inheritors of family business who have access to easy money or children of adventurous executives drawing mammoth salaries. The children of this strata of population dominate the ice cream parlor, snooker pool and parks.

Five years ago, it was really difficult to find a place for ice-cream in Kathmandu. Today everything is here -- park, ice-cream parlor and restaurants are now seen as recreational centers necessary for all youths.

We live in violent times as more and large number of cases of extortion continue to rise in the city areas. As their aspirations fail to match opportunities, youngsters in the urban areas are taking to crime as a short cut to fulfil their craving for lavish lifestyles.These youngsters belong to middle class families whose income is not sufficient to fulfil their wishes.

As various restaurant chains are coming up to cater to the different economic strata of population, the choices are much more larger.

Majority of the club visitors are school or college dropouts who find visiting the pubs and discotheques as the only form of entertainment. The behavior of boys is getting more violent.

All of them enjoy flashy lifestyles: wearing designer labels, gym membership, pool games and hollywood films. They also entertain their girlfriends on a regular basis.

Unlike older generation, today's youngsters - those born in late 80s - grew up in different social condition. The materialism dominates their lifestyles and idealism is replaced by money.

Says Upreti, a sociologist, "They want to copy MTV and believe the western model is the best model for them."

In a world where cut-throat competition begins from kindergarten and the ineasure of success is defined by satellite TV images of rich and the famous, most children today are prowling tirelessly looking for a better role model that will free them from the prevailing constraints.

But the real challenge lies within the society itself. More money should be poured into education and providing more opportunities for the young. Youngsters need to know that society cares for them. Above all, parents should take a long hard look in the mirror. For the values of today's youth are merely magnified reflections of their elders. They need to discover all over again values like receptivity, kindness and tolerance.

‘Parents Should Apply Some Sort Of Restrictions’— Dr. MURARI REGMI

Dr. Murari Regmi, Department Chief of Psychology at Kirtipur Campus, sees the new social phenomenon as a natural part of urban society. Psychologist Regmi spoke to SPOTLIGHT on different issues of new trends. Excerpts:

How do you observe the new youth culture?

It is a change in psychological behavior and life style. Every youth wants to have intimate relationship. In the past, there was a closed social system and now it is open to all. The kids want mental relaxation which is not possible at home. This is the reason urban youths choose different centers to relax with their friends. Recreational centers are required to establish intimate and close relations.

How has this change become possible?

It became possible due to better economic condition. The trend also indicates the better economic situation in the country. Traditionally, our society does not accept such behavior. The change of economic status opened up these changes.

Do you think such practices are normal?

If you take it with the process of westernization, such practices are normal. In terms of our social values, there can be some sort of hesitation.

Why do youths prefer the new and colorful dress when visiting such centers?

It is not necessary to wear colorful dress to visit such centers. Particularly, the girls wear colorful dress to attract boys. In other words, it is a part of social sensitivity to introduce oneself as a different person.

What are the negative aspects of this behavior?

The demonstration of physical parts will provoke violent nature in youth. This will promote the rise of gang behavior. The family must limit the behavior of their offsprings.

Do you mean the behavior needs to be controlled?

I think the parents must limit the behavior of their children. Otherwise, it will create problems like unwanted pregnancy, drug addiction and other problems. There needs to be a certain level of vigilant role on the part of parents in supervising their kids.

As a psychologist, what can be the social control?

The families of neo-rich see westernization as a social prestige and allow their offsprings to follow whatever they like. In many cases, the unlimited freedom on the part of family ruins the life of youths. Families should maintain some sort of restrictions.

‘Families Are More Liberal’— NIKITA KARKI

Nikita Karki, 22, a student of Bachelor of Business Science at Campion college holds the view that the new emerging social phenomena have more negative sides than the positive ones. Karki spoke to Spotlight. Excerpts:

How do you find the new emerging culture?

Urban society is gradually accepting phenomena of westernization. Unfortunately, we are accepting many bad trends rather than constructive ones. There are so many good things in the process of westernization. Visiting restaurants, icecream parlors and clubs are not the only phenomenon of westernization. There are many constructive and creative things there.

Then, why youths are following only bad things?

It is due to the misunderstanding of westernization. It must be followed by adhering to the values.

Is the phenomenon of modernization affordable to all?

It is not affordable to all. Large number of youths cannot afford to visit snooker/pool houses, restaurants and other recreational centers.

Is the change natural?

It is not natural as it has penetrated the society through satellite television, tourism and other means. We are copying the fashions of other countries.

How do you see the role of families and parents?

They are more liberal and friendly to their offsprings. The change is due to the time. Ten years back one could not go to schools in mini-skirts.

What is your impression on fashion?

I don't think it is a bad thing. In our society, many use fashion to expose different parts of body. This is a very bad precedent.

‘Change Is Penetrating Rural Areas Too’— Dr. PADMA ALA DEVKOTA

Anthropologist Dr. Padma Lal Devkota teaches development anthropology at Kirtipur campus. Devkota spoke to Spotlight on various phenomena of youth culture. Excerpts:

How do you see the new phenomenon?

Our youths do not have their own indigenous model. This is the reason they are following exogenous model. Visiting icecream parlors, pubs and hugging their girl friends is recognized as a social prestige for youths. Every one wants to establish new relationship.

Do we have something to copy?

We have nothing to copy as our society is based on closed system enriched with various indigenous culture, tradition and values. The relations between boys and girls are regarded as something bad before marriage in hindu communities but it is culturally accepted among the tribals and ethnic groups. Even walking together is frowned upon. For the large segment of population, the new urban culture is itself a part of romanticism.

Who are the carriers of modern culture?

The offsprings of top bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen and British and Indian Gurkha officials. Tourism is another agent imposing the western values. In rural areas, individual relation is still not permitted. Even dance and other entertainments are allowed to be performed in mass only during the local fairs and religious festivals.

Is the present modern fashion well accepted in the country?

The change is penetrating even the rural areas. Our social mapping image is based on wrong assumption. Wearing new clothes is regarded as a social prestige. Although high heel shoes are not physically possible in the hill, youth are accepting them. The change is sending very wrong messages to the society. Exposing parts of the body is being accepted as good mannerisms.

As a sociologist, is the change permissible to the society?

It is not permissible at all. In urban areas, rise of remittances has promoted this type of culture. In rural areas also, the families of pensioners of Indian and British Gurkhas are copying the culture. How can an offspring of a medium class government employee afford to copy it when his monthly salary is only adequate to feed his family. Only those who accumulate the money through illegal means can afford it.

What do you suggest, then?

The change is unavoidable in the contemporary context and we cannot stop it from happening. Change is always there but it should be based on the existing culture, values, ethos and ideology of the people. It should be innovative and appropriately suited to our existing social structures and other patterns of culture. The present trend of modernization and change is leading us to a wrong direction. We are preoccupied with wrong vision of west as best and that is why we have the least. It is just like fixing a western key in Nepalese lock which has just a reverse profile. It does not work.

Can we stop the existing social trends?

We cannot stop the process of globalization, marketization and flow of foreign ideas. Our only plight is that it should be harmonious to our prevailing life and work. It should be aimed at promoting our culture, tradition and values. They should not destroy it. And the reason is that once the culture and values of people are destroyed, they are destroyed for ever. Nepalese people are blanketed with their own unique culture and they are shaped by own behavior, attitudes and views.

What is needed to be done?

Nepalese culture and values must be preserved at any cost. Like rock and stones, Nepalese culture cannot be preserved in the jar and they cannot be tested for their purity in a scientific lab. It seems that present model of development which is heavily influenced by the flow of foreign idea is mechanists, determinist and patternalist. Hence, it has failed to address the most cultural and social, economic pressing needs of the majority of the Nepalese people. Imported development model, by any means, cannot help to improve the overall quality of life of the masses. So, it must be replaced with the pro-people oriented development framework policies, strategies and actions.