Tania Amiry - College Notre-Dame Sahel-Alma

Lebanon is battling one of the worst economic and political crises in its history. After the country’s currency lost almost 90% of its value, the country’s unemployment rate dropped drastically. 

Lebanese teenagers are facing immense challenges for their future. While the nation’s economic and political condition isn’t stable and thriving, it’s consequences will have a long-lasting impact on the new generation and their road to success throughout their careers and lives. 

Therefore, how does Lebanon’s unstable condition affect the new generation and their education, mental health and career prospects? This crisis will alter the fate of the youth for generations to come.

-Lack of motivation and hope for the future-

Recently, numerous historical crises have taken place. Adolescents have witnessed the country get worse year after year. Consequently, students have lost motivation due to a lack of trust in Lebanon’s stability in the future. 

The belief that Lebanon’s downfall is beyond repair has caused students to abandon the idea of aiming for a bright and exceptional future. Instead, students have become lazy and unmotivated. They believe that Lebanon’s situation is permanent and for that reason, they lost hope for a good future. They anticipate failure and a future with struggles and limited success.

This problem leads to a lack of skilled and bright professionals in crucial fields of work. The lack of motivation and hard work results in mediocre performance in life, and thus an excessive number of workers in less essential jobs or unemployment.

-Fanaticism-

Lebanon has suffered greatly throughout decades, the civil war, corruption, the Beirut Port explosion, the protests and so many more.

Teenagers are growing up heavily involved in politics and influenced by ideologies. But is this the right approach?

Several factors shape an adolescent’s identity, values and behavior. Such as family, society, peers or even the media. 

Therefore, from a young age, teenagers are influenced by older relatives, or society to heavily idolize and obsess over a specific party or leader. They reject any opposing opinion or compromise without fully understanding the cause, meaning or main goals of this ideology.

That behavior leads to fanaticism, the concept of extreme obsession over a certain cause, belief or idea and inconsiderate of other opinions. 

Fanaticism is a toxic mentality that leads to conflict and irrational or harmful behavior. Accepting and compromising with other opposing opinions should be essential for peace and collaboration.

As they mature, teenagers should be able to form their own opinion of the world, and decide for themselves whether they agree with a certain political party or leader or not. This helps the young generation thrive for a better country, with cooperation, accept people’s differences and cherish the similarities.

-The struggle for a better future-

Due to Lebanon’s devastating condition, opportunities are getting snatched away from people’s hands. As time goes on, prospects are getting harder to reach because of the country’s economic and social challenges.

Because of the wars and the severe financial collapse, young adults are finding it difficult to seize prospects and upcoming chances and are facing limited prospects.

The young find it hard to achieve a successful future along the road without facing bumps like unemployment, low levels of education or political crisis.

In addition to that, when opportunities seem unreachable or unrealistic by reason of the country’s problems, it leads to a lack of motivation and loss of hope.

 -Mental Health crisis-

Lebanon’s dire condition takes a toll on its society. From economic issues to wars, mental health relies on its country’s state.

 For example, we’ve seen the impact of the civil war and the Israeli war on the Lebanese people. Wars can inflict trauma on a person; it can lead to depression, PTSD, and create deep emotional scars.

Economic problems can also affect mental health, having a poor economy led almost half of the society to poverty, and prompted unemployment or a setback in life which also triggers depression and hopelessness. 

Despite the hardships and the tough times, Lebanon’s youth strive for a change, they hold the key to Lebanon’s restoration. Our young generation possess the determination, the courage and the strength to overcome and return Lebanon back to its roots, an exceptional country filled with opportunities and hope for the future.

With the youth’s commitment and dedication, better days are coming. Lebanon will reclaim its place as a thriving country. Hence, if the youth take charge of Lebanon’s future and work for its return to prosperity, what can we expect?