Are You Still a Sikh Youth?
My 34th Birthday is this Tuesday the 24th and it has gotten me thinking about the term "Sikh Youth". I have always considered myself a "Youth", but as I have gotten older I often ask myself and friends "When are we no longer the ‘Sikh Youth’ anymore?", afterall, I’m married and have two kids/youth of my own! Most of my friends are married and with kids as well! I was just invited to receive a "Sikh Youth Leadership Award" from a Sikh organization, and again I ask myself, am I still a Sikh Youth?? Part of the reason for having this "Sikh Youth" term is to group our new generation of Sikhs who have grown up in a very different world then our parents.
So, even though I am almost 34 years old, I still consider myself a "Sikh Youth". What I have realized is that the differences are really a type of generational gap. Our grandparents grew up in a very different world then today and so it is much more of a stretch to relate to things in the same way that youth of today do. This is the case for many of our parents generation as well, though maybe not as much, depending on their age and background.
These days the world is a very different place. We are world where people of all cultures interact in a way that was never possible in the past. Back in the day, when your parents told you to do something, you did it "or else!". These days it isn’t enough to just be told what to do. We have to understand and experience for ourselves. It’s not about how much information you have but about practicing and experiencing this lifestyle.
I sometimes joke about some of the kids these days complaining about this or that. I like to say "Back when I was a kid, we used to have to walk to school 20 miles, uphill, in the rain, in the snow!". I didn’t have to do this, but I did have many more challenges then many of the younger kids that I know, and I know many of my parents/grandparents generation had a much harder time to do things. So while in one area things are much more complicated in this world, at the same times many things are much more easy and convenient.
So, all I can say is that right now I still consider myself a Sikh Youth. When the day comes that I don’t relate to the younger generation an
d there are many more differences,THEN I’ll consider myself the "Adult". Actually I think that most of us 10-40 year olds will be considered the youth until our parent’s generation passes on. We’ll always be the "kids" in our parents eyes. So for all of you thirty-some year olds who are wondering the same thing, just give it up and be a "Sikh Youth"! Afterall, this is where all the action is at! If you are still youthful in your energy and actions then you are a Youth!
ps. The above picture is of my giving my friend Sat Sangeet Singh a piggy back ride. Thank you Hari Bhajan Kaur for sending me this old picture of me with the crazy colored shorts. Hahaha…
11 Responses to “Are You Still a Sikh Youth?”
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Happy Birthday! and yes I still think you are a sikh youth because you can still relate to the younger sikh generation:)
hey for sure, your only as old as u feel you are :)
I feel in the same way… when we have our familiar party´s and I look all my cousins who are like 10 years younger then me I just think… wow I´m not more the younger they are!. And I think to, when I have their age I feel really like everybody, like in the same situation… I can not believe it when I see they now because they look like kids, but when I have their age I feel like an adult… hahaha. Anyway I think one of the reasons of way we steel feel like the youngers or kids is because our fathers treat like that and tall us we´re their kids for life and the difference with they is with their fathers… I think their father treat they like a little adult… I mean you´re little but this is a hard world… you have to grow up soon to start to work… I never ear this from my mother… but I´m sure she listen this from my grand father.
Sorry for my mystake in english I have to take the course again, hahaha.
Blessings,
Rai Singh.
Happy Birthday!
Age is a funny thing. I will turn 57 next month, yet I still feel a bit giggly when someone calls me “ji.” That’s my Dad’s generation, not me.Â
I was the mother of a teen-aged son during the unpleasantness in Delhi, in Oct-Nov, 1984. By any objective terms, I am not a youth of any sort.
Still, I often feel like a 16 year old girl impersonating an adult. I’ve been through the wars and certainly have earned adult status, but truthfully, my heart just doesn’t buy it. Am I really an aging hippie? (OK, I was never into the whole sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll thing (although I did and do enjoy rock!).)
It’s certainly a mystery. I usually don’t think much about it until I read something like this post.
Gurumustuk ji (giggle a little, please!), whatever you are, whether youth or adult or whatever, you have done a great sewa to the world-wide Sikh community. I suggest you appreciate being appreciated and forget the labels.
if no longer a youth, but for sure a ‘sikh youth leader’ :D
Happy Birthday in advance to you :)
We will always be children of our Waheguru all our lives, right…
So yeah I say proudly hold on to your tag of being a ‘Youth’!
A Very Prosperous Birthday to you. :)
You are – for sure, a Sikh Youth. Your writings and work has made and is making a great impact on the Sikh Teen and is bringing them closer to the Sikhi.
You are a – Sikh Youth Icon.
we as humans have been geared to think that we never grow old, even though we see others around us growing old and dying or not growing old but still dying. not even old like to be called old their “chavs” grow more and more younger day by day. call somebdy old and he/she might even punch you. so watchout!
Satnaam.
I think it is time to cast off this “youth” moniker and accept and be acknowledged as adults – along with the roles, responsibilities, and expectations that go with it. The “youth” thing is way past its expiration date. Though usually well meaning and not deliberate, I think that the unconscious effect is a marginalization and lowering of expectations; both OF our generation, and BY our generation – to mature and accept direct responsibilities in our communities.
Happy Birthday
If you have a smile and ready for challenge you are youth (rest you learn after taking challenge)