Skip to main content

Delegitimizing social discourse? Portraying youth voice as unreliable, reckless, unworthy

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak* 
The geriatric ideology of feudalism, patriarchy, nationalism, religious culture, market led consumerism, monetised society and capitalism continues to propagate the notion that contemporary youths and students are deviants, lazy, unproductive, and useless idiots. They are depicted as being addicted to the digital world, lacking direction and commitment to their own lives, as well as to the state and society.
They are also portrayed as lacking a moral compass and any sense of idealism. These propagandas persist in shaping mainstream public discourse without facing scrutiny, serving the interests of the geriatric ruling and non-ruling elites by maintaining their hegemonic power over the masses without challenge.
There are consistent efforts by gerontological elites, both in minor forms within families and major forms at local, regional, national, and international levels, to undermine the progressive commitments of students and youths. These elites seek to suppress their idealism for radical social, political, and cultural transformation on a global scale. However, these geriatric, elitist and ruling class propagandas against students and youths are far from truth.
Throughout history, the dynamism and fervour of students and young people have consistently positioned them as vanguards in the fight against entrenched systems of oppression. From the shackles of feudalism to the chains of colonialism and imperialism, students and youths have steadfastly confronted and challenged structures and processes that perpetuate inequality and exploitation.
Their unwavering commitment to justice and equality has propelled them into the forefront of countless movements aimed at dismantling systems of power that perpetuate injustice. Whether rallying against the subjugation of colonial rule, resisting the rise of fascist regimes, or challenging the insidious grip of capitalism, students and youths have fearlessly stood on the front lines, often at great personal risk.
Their collective struggle, etched in the annals of progressive history, serves as a testament to the profound impact of youthful idealism and activism in shaping the course of social and political transformation. Through their sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication, students and youths have not only inspired change in their own time but have also paved the way for future generations to continue the fight for a more just and equitable world.
Contemporary struggles for peace, environmental preservation, justice, equality, advancement of science, and promotion of secularism remain primarily driven by students and youths worldwide. The transnational character of today's students and youths is defined by the anti-war movements spanning from Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Ukraine to the ongoing struggles in Palestine against Israeli genocide and occupation.
The youths and students cannot be held responsible for climate change, warfare, commodification, and the alienation of life in society today. Instead, they are victims of patriarchy, feudalism, capitalism, and imperialist systems that perpetuate exploitation, inequality, unemployment, poverty, hunger, homelessness, and widespread suffering on a global scale.
University and college campuses are teeming with anti-war protests, climate action groups, and various socially committed organizations dedicated to creating a better world. They are actively engaged in striving for a future that is sustainable, egalitarian, and just.
Labelling students and young people as deviants, amoral, and fickle undermines their dedication to fostering progressive social change. Such derogatory categorisations not only disparage their potential but also serve to weaken their resolve in challenging the entrenched power structures maintained by older generations.
These hegemonic systems perpetuate exploitation, hierarchy, and inequality across society, politics, the economy, and culture, ultimately benefiting only a select few while marginalising the masses.
By dismissing the agency and commitment of the youth, these derogatory labels perpetuate a cycle of disempowerment, hindering the collective efforts toward meaningful societal transformation. Embracing the diverse perspectives and passionate activism of young people is essential for dismantling oppressive systems and forging a more just and equitable future for all.
Contemporary struggles for peace, environment, justice, equality and secularism remain primarily driven by students and youths 
Students and youths serve as catalysts for social and political transformation, wielding their energy, passion, and idealism to challenge the status quo and push for positive change. Therefore, it is not just important but imperative to champion and defend the rights and voices of students and youths in our society. They represent the vanguard of progress, tirelessly advocating for justice, equality, and human rights.
By empowering and supporting them, we invest in a better tomorrow, one where the aspirations of the younger generation are nurtured and realised. Upholding their rights and amplifying their voices ensures that our societies evolve toward greater inclusivity, equity, and opportunity for all. In essence, by safeguarding the agency and dignity of students and youths, we pave the way for a brighter and more promising future for generations to come.
The initial stride towards actualising these aspirations necessitates the cessation of the incessant propagation of false, derogatory, and defamatory narratives directed at students and youths by the entrenched geriatric power structures. These unfounded attacks not only malign the character and intentions of the younger generation but also serve to suppress their influence and hinder their efforts towards positive change.
It is imperative to dismantle the pervasive narrative constructed by the geriatric ideology of power, which seeks to delegitimize the voices and actions of youth by portraying them as unreliable, reckless, and unworthy of meaningful participation in societal discourse.
By challenging and debunking these baseless stereotypes, we can foster an environment where the agency and contributions of students and youths are valued and respected. This entails promoting narratives that highlight the resilience, creativity, and potential for leadership within the younger demographic.
Embracing the diversity of perspectives and experiences offered by students and youths enriches our collective understanding of social issues and strengthens our capacity for innovative problem-solving. In essence, by rejecting the false narratives perpetuated by geriatric power structures and instead affirming the agency and potential of the younger generation, we lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable society.
This shift in perspective not only paves the way for meaningful collaboration across generations but also ensures that the voices of students and youths are integral to shaping the future direction of our communities and institutions for a better future.
---
*London Metropolitan University, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING

Growth without justice: The politics of wealth and the economics of hunger

By Vikas Meshram*  In modern history, few periods have displayed such a grotesque and contradictory picture of wealth as the present. On one side, a handful of individuals accumulate in a single year more wealth than the annual income of entire nations. On the other, nearly every fourth person in the world goes to bed hungry or half-fed.
Post a Comment
»

Covishield controversy: How India ignored a warning voice during the pandemic

Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD *  It is a matter of pride for us that a person of Indian origin, presently Director of National Institute of Health, USA, is poised to take over one of the most powerful roles in public health. Professor Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian origin physician and a health economist, from Stanford University, USA, will be assuming the appointment of acting head of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Bhattacharya would be leading two apex institutions in the field of public health which not only shape American health policies but act as bellwether globally.
Post a Comment
»

When a lake becomes real estate: The mismanagement of Hyderabad’s waterbodies

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava*  Misunderstood, misinterpreted and misguided governance and management of urban lakes in India —illustrated here through Hyderabad —demands urgent attention from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), the political establishment, the judiciary, the builder–developer lobby, and most importantly, the citizens of Hyderabad. Fundamental misconceptions about urban lakes have shaped policies and practices that systematically misuse, abuse and ultimately erase them—often in the name of urban development.
1 comment
»

'Serious violation of international law': US pressure on Mexico to stop oil shipments to Cuba

By Vijay Prashad   In January 2026, US President Donald Trump declared Cuba to be an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US security—a designation that allows the United States government to use sweeping economic restrictions traditionally reserved for national security adversaries. The US blockade against Cuba began in the 1960s, right after the Cuban Revolution of 1959 but has tightened over the years. Without any mandate from the United Nations Security Council—which permits sanctions under strict conditions—the United States has operated an illegal, unilateral blockade that tries to force countries from around the world to stop doing basic commerce with Cuba. The new restrictions focus on oil. The United States government has threatened tariffs and sanctions on any country that sells or transports oil to Cuba.
Post a Comment
»

When grief becomes grace: Kerala's quiet revolution in organ donation

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Kerala is an important model for understanding India's diversity precisely because the religious and cultural plurality it has witnessed over centuries brought together traditions and good practices from across the world. Kerala had India's first communist government, was the first state where a duly elected government was dismissed, and remains the first state to achieve near-total literacy. It is also a land where Christianity and Islam took root before they spread to Europe and other parts of the world. Kerala has deep historic rationalist and secular traditions.
1 comment
»

Thali, COVID and academic credibility: All about the 2020 'pseudoscientific' Galgotias paper

By Jag Jivan   The first page image of the paper "Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis" published in the Journal of Molecular Pharmaceuticals and Regulatory Affairs , Vol. 2, Issue 2 (2020), has gone viral on social media in the wake of the controversy surrounding a Chinese robot presented by the Galgotias University as its original product at the just-concluded AI summit in Delhi . The resurfacing of the 2020 publication, authored by  Dharmendra Kumar , Galgotias University, has reignited debate over academic standards and scientific credibility.
Post a Comment
»

Bangladesh goes to polls as press freedom concerns surface

By Nava Thakuria*  As Bangladesh heads for its 13th Parliamentary election and a referendum on the July National Charter simultaneously on Thursday (12 February 2026), interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged all participating candidates to rise above personal and party interests and prioritize the greater interests of the Muslim-majority nation, regardless of the poll outcomes. 
Post a Comment
»

The Galgotia model: How India is losing the war on knowledge

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Galgotia is the face of 'quality education' as envisioned by those who never considered education a tool for social change or national uplift — and yet this is precisely the model Narendra Modi pursued in Gujarat as Chief Minister. In the mid-eighties, when many of us were growing up, 'Nirma' became one of the most popular advertisements on Doordarshan. Whether the product was any good hardly seemed to matter. 
3 comments
»

Beyond the conflict: Experts outline roadmap for humane street dog solutions

By A Representative   In a direct response to the rising polarization surrounding India’s street dog population, a high-level coalition of parliamentarians, legal experts, and civil society leaders gathered in the capital to propose a unified national framework for humane animal management. The emergency deliberations were sparked by a recent Suo Moto judgment that has significantly deepened the divide between animal welfare advocates and those calling for the removal of community dogs, a tension that has recently escalated into reported violence against both animals and their caretakers in states like Telangana.
Post a Comment
»