The Youth of Today

Thrifty or Thief?

Dear Pearl - I recently heard on the radio a 20-something saying, “I like to source my second-hand clothes sustainably.” What does that mean? That she spends little money, or she shoplifts? Or is this just a ‘senior’s moment’, and I am terribly out of touch with the jargon? Should I be saying, “I like to sustainably source my Weet-Bix?” Sigh.

Tim Bronte

Hope for a Brighter Future

Dear Tim - Congratulations on being one of those rare oldies who obviously tunes into ABC Radio (perhaps Triple J?) rather than squandering ones’ precious few years on this earth listening to the depressing dross emanating from the likes of Ben Fordham and Ray Hadley. You may be having a ‘senior’s moment’ while scoffing down your Weet-Bix, but at least it’s an educated and enlightened one.

On the face of it, it does sound like the 20-something is indulging in shoplifting, or perhaps dumpster diving - I am a huge fan of the dumpster dive but I’m finding that arthritis prevents me engaging in rigorous sustainable activities - as a way of sourcing clothing, sustainably. Or perhaps she means, “I source my clothes sustainably by purchasing second-hand,” but forgot to use the Grammarly App? God knows how one finds ‘sustainable’ second-hand clothes, as Pearl knows that the quality, classic items only make their way to Salvos when one passes.

As an oldie, I don’t like to criticise the young. I love the earnestness of these young ‘woke’ people and their second-hand clothing, their keepcups, the way they are shunning the ritual of learning to drive for the convenience of Ubers and scooters, and their refusal to conform to the ridiculous gender stereotypes that have been forced upon us by marketers. I love their work ethic, their friendly demeanour and energy, and their chattiness and helpfulness from behind counters and over the phone. I look at the Kim Kardashian wannabe influencers who spend their precious money on false eyelashes and cosmetic injectables, and the Vin Diesel copycats with carefully curated biceps, and I sigh at the state of the world (the same way you sigh at the word ‘sustainably’, Tim). But all it takes is a visit to The Coop at Bronte Beach and I’m instantly uplifted by the positivity and kindness of the lovely young people who know my order and indulge me in chit-chat.

There are so many obstacles confronting young adults; life is not as easy as it once was. The greed, competitiveness and materialism of older generations have made the world a much harder place to navigate. Big business (with government assistance) is destroying our environment, and any form of dissent is deterred through undemocratic anti-protest laws that place the rights of corporations before citizens, ensuring the emerging youth toe the line. However, despite the obstacles and despite the reported rise in mental illness, I am viewing the young adults of today as a resourceful lot who give me hope for a brighter and sustainably sourced future (hopefully one free of shock jocks).

Pearl Clovelly