Generation Superiority Syndrome

The phenomenon where the current generation (parents) think that they are superior compared to the next generation (their kids) is very common. Especially, in terms of their work ethics, hard work, morality, respectfulness, and the difficulties they faced in their life parents feel that they are better compared to their kids, without having any data to support this claim. It is so common that almost every kid has to listen to parents or other elders complaining about how their life was much more difficult, how they worked their asses off to reach where they are, how they started with nothing, how they used to respect their elders much more compared to these kids, and also listen these elder's whining about how morality has eroded over time. I call this phenomenon "generation superiority syndrome" (GSS). 

Under the GSS, the current generation thinks exactly the opposite of what reality is. They assert their claims assertively taking full advantage of their seniority without providing any data or apple-to-apple comparison. Some of the common symptoms are: they completely discount the challenges faced by the next generation and only focus on their own difficulties; they also ignore improved moral standards of the current world and love to talk fondly about the good old days, no matter how regressive those days were; they also don't miss any opportunity to point out how they are not receiving the respect they deserve for their hard work and sacrifices. I know these things because I suffered from the same syndrome. It is true that there were hardships in my life, I immigrated to a completely unknown and strange country, had to chart my own path with my family, and faced many uncertainties. But it is also true that my kids also have to face their own challenges that may have been more difficult than what I faced. Glorifying our own challenges and diminishing our kids' challenges is a mean thing any parent can do, but many parents do this all the time without realizing the impact of this on their kids. Different generations face different difficulties and hardships. Many times, they are not comparable, hence difficult to judge which one is harder. Sometimes physical comforts are better, but psychological difficulties are harder, sometimes there is more money but there are more distractions. It is hard to find apples-to-apples comparisons, but people suffering from the GSS don't care about these things, they just like to harp about their greatness and sacrifices. 

If you are a parent or guardian, please check from time to time if you are suffering from the GSS. If you are, please take corrective measures before your kids realize that you are a jerk without any idea what kids are going through. Please acknowledge your kids' difficulties in the same way you want to get acknowledged your own. Be cognizant of the fact that every generation has pushed the boundaries on various fronts compared to the previous generations. Remember, just a few decades back women were not allowed to work or go to college, but now they can, at least in most countries. So, it is clear that our forefathers did not have superior morality standards compared to the current standards. Let's give credit where it's due and offer constructive criticism where it's needed. Most people who suffer from GSS don't even know about it, so don't be one of them. Good luck and happy parenting.

Thank you for reading and please share your views on this topic. 

© Vinay Thakur, All rights reserved, Vinay can be reached at thevinay2022@gmail.com 

Please don't bring morality in diet

Food habits are an evergreen topic for many debates and discussions. We all debate which food is healthier and which is not, the advantages and disadvantages of a vegetarian, nonvegetarian, or vegan diet, the health effects of processed food, and things like that. A lot of research is also going on about the effects of various types of diets and food habits on human health. There are many types of dietary habits in the world, but they can be mainly divided mainly into two classes; vegetarian (people who don't eat meat) and non-vegetarian (people who also eat meat). The nomenclature of nonvegetarians is utterly misleading, it implies that nonvegetarians only eat meat, but this is seldomly true, most nonvegetarians eat a vegetarian diet, but they also eat meat that's why they get included in this category. Actually, if we look at human history, as a species we are mostly omnivorous, which means we can eat both plants as well as meat. The ability to eat almost anything is a huge advantage for humans and can be considered one of the major reasons for being the most dominant species on this planet. Herbivorous and carnivorous animals have very specialized teeth, jaws, and digestive systems, it is not that easy for them to switch their diets but we can shift from one to another very easily. But this is not the topic of my post today. My argument is that it is inappropriate to bring morality while discussing various food habits. Very often vegetarian people argue on this point, somehow they feel that there is no killing of any living thing while preparing vegetarian food, and the fundamental basis of nonvegetarian food is violence, so, they have the moral upper hand as far as diet is concerned. Many of them argue that because of moral reasons, it is not appropriate to eat meat. If anyone argues about diet based on health benefits, then it is a reasonable argument, but I have a problem when people bring morality in judging the food habits of others. Eating meat is a widely accepted food habit all over the world, this has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and judging it based on a moral compass is wrong. The truth is that every living thing survives at the cost of other living things, life feeds on life, and there are no exceptions to this rule so far.

I have observed that most nonvegetarian people try as much as possible to take care of the convenience of vegetarian people, they make sure that there are some vegetarian options available in case someone doesn't eat meat. But rarely favor is returned from vegetarians to nonveg people. The main reason is that most veg people make the diet a part of their belief system, not a personal choice, most of them think it is not moral to serve or eat nonveg food, so, there is a sort of contempt and rejection towards nonveg food from their side. Also, most nonveg people are fine with this discrimination and hardly they complain. Anyone can check this themselves if they want, any nonveg person easily eats a veg diet if there is no nonveg option available, but it will be tough to find an example the other way around. Anyway, it is not good to force anyone to eat any type of food if they don't want to, but somehow this sentence is interpreted as it is not proper to force anyone to eat meat but it is perfectly fine to force someone to eat vegetables. One can hear about several meat bans, but has anyone ever heard about some vegetable bans? Isn't it an example of a double standard or do we really think that meat-eating is such an evil habit that meat-eating people deserve to be discriminated against? If it is an evil habit, then why there are so many meat eaters on our planet, and why it is not illegal? I understand the appeal and protest of animal lovers against animal killings. They have the right to do so. In the same manure, I know many people who love plants, I wonder what will be the reaction of all of us who eat plants if plant lovers object to plant killings for food?

I am personally 99% vegetarian, I eat meat rarely and mostly outside my home. My diet is strictly my personal choice, several factors like geographical location, availability of food, my likes, dislikes, and health concerns dictate what type of food I eat. I don't judge anyone based on what type of food they eat, I don't force my food habits on anyone, and don't like anyone to force theirs on me. I respect other's food choices and expect the same in return, if they are not willing to respect my choices, I feel no obligation to respect their choices. It is a matter of mutual respect, rather respect has to be mutual in every case, one way respect or love never works. Many of these animals and plants are produced because there is a huge demand for them in the market, if there is no demand all these plant and animal farms will be closed, either way, their survival is in danger no matter if people eat them or not. I don't think many people who argue against veg or nonveg diets understand this reality. What I eat or wear is my personal choice and as I am free to choose these things others are also free. I have no right to impose my choices on others and others also should not do this. This is a very simple rule to follow, let's eat and allow others to eat.

Thanks for reading and please share your views on this topic.

[Copyright: Vinay Thakur. Please contact the author for re-posting or publishing]