The Relativity of Peer

The Relativity of Peer

It is the era of information and every happening all around the world is readily available. So many good things have come out of this development as it is the cornerstone of our civilization today. As if in a balancing act, this reality has also many challenges with it. Much has been said about this and it is still on the center of debate everywhere in the world. And one of the challenges this has posed is the effect this phenomenon has on the distortion of perception, especially among the youth.

In no other time before has it become so clear to feel the disparity on the living standards of people in different parts of earth. Those living in the developed world have reached a level where they feel they can set the ‘standards’ of living for the entire humanity. Living in the less developed world is constantly depicted as meaningless compared to the standards stipulated by those living in the developed. This fact has made people in the developing world aspire and even envy the

life style of the developed world. This jealousy towards the life of others and resentment of one’s own reality of life is serving as an impasse hindering the youth in the developing world from facing the reality and endeavoring to bring about betterment in their lives. Hence it has become common to hear complaints by youth in developing countries that they are not living as their peers elsewhere do.

Whom does the word ‘peers’ refer? The answer seems so easy. One might state a few among friends and/or mention the criterion that makes persons ‘peers’ -the age. However, the status of ‘peer’ is not that confined to age factor. One can’t do justice by calling two individuals born in different contexts and living different realities for the mere fact that these people share age similarity. Age, as number of years, alone is not enough to indicate peer status. The socio-economic and historical environment where one exists determines whether persons could be said ‘peers’.

Peer group is a group of persons sharing the same level of understanding. Belonging to such a group is a social status. It is a group of ‘equals’ in various aspects. Such a grouping, taking the already mentioned index of social, economic and historical factors in account, considers not only time, but space too. Here we can pose a question whether those of the same age worldwide are necessarily peers. Can young men and women living in Europe and America be called peers of those in Tajikistan, Kenya, or Bolivia? To whom could young people in developing countries see as their peer? Who to see as an equal entails a question as to whom you compare yourself.

Many of us dream the Western way of life, and try to adhere to that life style. It is very natural for one to wish a better life. It is no disgrace to dream comfort if one considers the merit of it. To make this desire graceful it takes an analysis of what it took those in the West to achieve such life. Better yet, contemplating what

the reasons for such disparity may be would provide a cure. For instance, can we judge a teenager in developing country and his American counterpart as peers? There is a stark difference. The American lives a ‘comfortable’ life, enjoys various privileges some of them his or her counterpart in developing countries may not have even heard of: access to technology, quality education, stable income, and much more. These privileges come as a result of the level of development the society has reached. It is the society carrying the young person.

But in cases like developing countries it is the reverse. The young person carries the burden of the society. A teenager in his 16 or 17 shares responsibility in life and participates in the day to day economic activities of the family. It occurs that his supposed to be ‘equal’ in the other world is less concerned about the initials of demands of life. Though of the same age, the two persons –the American or European young and his/her ‘peer’ in developing country–can hardly be genuine equals. The young in developing countries takes ones share of responsibility in life sooner. It is up to the youth to develop and transform the society so as later generations could enjoy better life. Attempting to contrast this reality, with that of the developed world is creating a sense of desperation among the youths of developing world.

History tells us of no shortcuts. Though we’ve to aspire, and deeds should accompany aspirations. It is the effort of the past generations that has created the existing reality in the developed world. To learn from experiences and abridge long development process is one thing, and ignoring the inevitable, and trying to skip the stage that demands strong effort to reach the desired goal is another. It asks an insight to realize the fact that we are not only the kind of youth who assume social responsibility in our teens, but living in a young country endeavoring to provide the citizens what they deserve.

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