Since our childhood, we are told that to be successful and happy, we must follow a certain set of guidelines by means of acquiring a job that is beneficial to our wellbeing and that of our potential family – The nuclear family model is the epitome of success and happiness with each member fulfilling a role detrimental to this achievement.
However, the future is uncertain. The youth are quick to realise that this is a largely unachievable status, especially in the current economic environment, and thus may turn to various forms of hedonism in order to escape their responsibilities and expectations. Alcohol, drugs, sex and other ‘sinful’ archetypical behaviours become ritual in an endeavour to achieve ‘happiness’. This temporary solution is only a simulation of happiness and often leaves one deprived of the emotion as the curtain draws open on the morning after. 9 times out of 10 we return to whatever got us there in the first place consequently resulting in a kind of dependency and in extreme cases addiction, to ‘have a good time’.
This ritualistic process will always have side effects and is often at the root of many physical and mental problems concerning teenagers; in some cases, branching off into loneliness, depression and anxiety. It’s strange how we use substances to simulate happiness but for it only to lead to our unhappiness.