We constantly interact with people from different backgrounds, listen to diverse opinions, and learn that there isn’t always one right answer.
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
You see, this is exactly what I mean. Sometimes it feels like there is an expectation that there is only one “correct” way to speak or express ourselves. But who decided that standard? Many of those expectations were created by older generations, who grew up in a completely different social and cultural environment. They were taught to speak in a certain way, to hold back certain opinions, and to fit into a mold of what was considered “appropriate.” That doesn’t automatically make every other way of communicating wrong.
Every generation is shaped by the world it grows up in. Our generation has been exposed to a much wider range of ideas, cultures, and perspectives than previous generations, largely because of the internet and social media. We constantly interact with people from different backgrounds, listen to diverse opinions, and learn that there isn’t always one right answer. Naturally, our language, our confidence, and the way we express ourselves have evolved. A change in expression should not be mistaken for a lack of values or sensibility.
When young people communicate more directly, it is often interpreted as being rude or insensitive. I don’t agree with that assumption. Being straightforward is not the same as being disrespectful. Our generation tends to say what it thinks openly instead of hiding behind indirect language. Earlier generations often had to suppress their thoughts because society expected them to conform. They were expected to follow certain rules without questioning them. While many individuals did challenge those norms and broke those barriers, those people were exceptions rather than the rule.
Today, because of greater exposure and access to information, young people are more willing to question traditions, authority, and systems that don’t seem fair. Social media has given everyone a platform to express opinions that may never have been heard before. I am not saying that everything happening on social media is positive. I don’t believe that using abusive language or insulting others is a form of freedom. If someone says that being disrespectful or using curse words is insensitive, I completely agree. Freedom of expression should never become an excuse for disrespect.
But expressing an opinion honestly, asking difficult questions, or refusing to blindly accept old ideas should not be labelled as insensitivity. There is a significant difference between challenging a system and disrespecting people. Unfortunately, many young people are often judged simply because they question things that previous generations accepted without discussion.
As a woman, I feel this difference even more strongly. I believe many women would relate to this experience. For generations, women were expected to remain silent, obey authority, and avoid questioning social expectations. Today, many women are educated, financially independent, and aware of their rights. Naturally, they are more confident in expressing their opinions. When they speak firmly or question unfair practices, they are sometimes described as being arrogant, difficult, or insensitive. In reality, they are simply exercising a voice that earlier generations were often denied.
At the same time, I recognize that I have been fortunate in many ways. The level of education I received and the freedom my parent gave me have played a huge role in shaping the person I am today. They encouraged me to think independently, to communicate honestly, and to trust them. That privilege has given me confidence, but I also understand that not everyone grows up in the same environment.
Many people my age have lived very different lives. Some of my closest friends have spent years lying to their parents about even the smallest things. Surprisingly, some of them continue to do so even at the age of twenty-seven, despite earning their own money and being financially independent. That isn’t because they are dishonest by nature. It is because they grew up in homes where honesty was met with punishment instead of understanding. They learned that telling the truth would only lead to restrictions, criticism, or conflict.
My experience was completely different. I don’t even remember lying to my mother when I was seven years old. Even if I wanted to step outside to buy a chocolate or meet someone for a short while, she always knew where I was. I never felt the need to hide things because I was raised in an environment where communication was encouraged rather than feared. That difference didn’t happen by chance—it came from the values, trust, and education my parents gave me.
This is why I believe we should be careful before judging an entire generation. People’s behaviour is often a reflection of the environment they grew up in. Some learned to speak openly because they were given the freedom to do so. Others learned to hide the truth because they never had that freedom. Neither experience represents an entire generation.
Instead of dismissing young people as insensitive, perhaps we should acknowledge that society has changed. Every generation speaks differently because every generation grows up under different circumstances. The younger generation is not trying to be disrespectful; it is trying to be heard. It is trying to question systems that no longer make sense, advocate for fairness, and create conversations that previous generations often avoided.
Maybe this isn’t a question of one generation being right and the other being wrong. Maybe it is simply a generation gap. Older generations value restraint because that is how they were raised. Younger generations value openness because that is the world they have inherited. Neither perspective is entirely wrong. But if we genuinely want to understand one another, we have to stop confusing directness with disrespect and questioning with insensitivity. Only then can we have conversations that bridge the gap instead of widening it.
