September 10, 2019

Youth Unrest – Causes and Remedies

“Youth unrest may be defined as the manifestation of collective frustration of the youth in society.”

‘Unrest’ means ‘disturbed condition’. It is “the state of disillusionment and dissatisfaction”. Social unrest is the manifestation of collective disillusionment, discontentment and frustration of the group, community or society. If there is unrest among the students of one university, it is not perceived as the problem of ‘student unrest’ as such. It is only when students all over the country feel frustrated on common issues like admissions, content of courses, the examination system and the representations in academic bodies, can we say that there exists the problem of student unrest in our society. Similarly, it is not the unrest among the workers of one industry that is termed as ‘industrial unrest’ but it is the collective discontentment among all workers in different industries in the country on issues of minimum wages, safety measures, security of employment, and certain intra-mural and extra-mural facilities that is referred to as the problem of ‘industrial unrest’. The same is true of the peasant unrest, tribal unrest and women unrest. The emphasis in the concept of social unrest is on “collective frustration and disillusionment on common issues of the groups in the society.”

Students of the present age have become more or less politically conscious. Study should be their sole object in student life. But they cannot keep themselves completely aloof from the political movement of the country. Moreover, different political parties make use of the students to serve their purpose. Political leaders also are not sincere, honest in many cases. They cannot inspire the students to noble activities. All these cause work together to create a feeling of dissatisfaction in the students. So the present unrest is an expression of that dissatisfaction. As a result they begin agitation to get their grievances removed.

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Causes of Youth Unrest

Lack of Opportunities – The youth do not get proper opportunities, to express their talents, cultivate their interests and develop their personality. This has contributed to their dissatisfaction.
Communication Gap – One of the main reasons is lack of communication and understanding between parents and children, students and teachers. Failure on the part of the parents to understand the aspirants of their young children adds to the problem.
Economic Difficulties – Our economic difficulties have become so complex, that we do not know as to what will be the economic situation in the future. Most of our students come from families that are economically poor. Such families cannot easily give higher education to their children. Sixty percent of our students generally do not get education after high school. Out of the remaining, 20 percent students who go to colleges or university, come from middle class families and 20 percent from upper class families. The present higher education has become so expensive that the students find it difficult to bear this burden. So it is natural for students to agitate.
Lack of Co- Curricular and Creative activities – The function of an educational centre is not simply to prepare the students for examinations. In fact, the aim of education is to develop the entire personality of the individual harmoniously. This development is not possible only through the curricular teaching. For this, various co-curricular activities such as games, sports, contests, competitions, dramas, music, magazines, collective social service, etc., are necessary because through them the different aspects of the personality of a person manifest themselves and attain the high state of development.

Remedies of Youth Unrest

Employment Opportunities – Efforts should be made to provide opportunities according to the students interests and to offer courses in agriculture, engineering, business management, commerce, medicine, etc. The spirit of self-reliance must be created and the students should be encouraged to set up business and cottage industries of their own.
Economic Difficulties – The programme of ‘earn while you learn’ should be well organized. Poor and the needy students should be given financial help through scholarships, free ships, loan scholarships, free hostel facilities, stipends, etc. so that they do not drop out of schools and colleges.
Proper Communication between students and teachers – The communication gap between the students and teachers should be bridged. The teacher must not look at the students with suspicion. He must have confidence in them. She/he must act as their friend, guide and philosopher.
Leadership Programme – Leadership training programmes under supervision should be introduced in colleges.Students very badly need able and efficient leadership. In any democratic set-up leadership is very important.