KABUL (SW) – Findings of a comprehensive survey by Salam Watandar show that most young people in Afghanistan are looking for a combination of modern and classical life styles in their daily lives.
Salam Watandar launched this survey in 25 provinces of Afghanistan to examine the lifestyle choices of young people from a modern and classical perspectives, in which 554 young men and women participated.
In this survey, to examine the comprehensive lifestyle of young people in traditional and modern ways, some 554 young people were asked questions on a case-by-case basis about family decision-making, clothing, food, music preferences, family celebrations and having a job.
Of the 554 young people surveyed, 51.8% said they are interested in combining traditional and modern clothing styles and 56.5% said they are interested in eating traditional and modern foods at the same time. Another 34.8% said they are interested in traditional clothes and 28.5% said they are interested in traditional foods.
Additionally, 13.4% said they are interested in modern clothes and 15% said they are interested in modern foods such as fast food.
“I like both styles,” said Mohammad, a Kabul resident who is interested both in traditional and modern clothing. “Everyone wears modern clothes these days, but traditional clothes are also part of our country’s culture and I love them,” he added.
The survey also examined how young people make decisions in their lives with 74.3% of youths responding that they make family decisions in consultation with their family members. 19.7% said these decisions should be made by family elders, and only 6% said they wanted to be the decision-makers themselves.
“It is good that decisions are made in consultation with family and friends, because they give good advice and because they have experience,” said Shabnam, a Kabul resident.
The findings of the Salam Watandar’s survey indicate that young people are more interested in modern styles in family celebrations and job choices. Up to 56.7% of youths said they celebrate family events in modern ways and 93.5% are interested in new and modern jobs.
Husna, one of the survey participants who is now engaged, says she would like her wedding to be celebrated in a new and modern way. “However, my in-laws are from the village and don’t like me to get married in the modern way.”
The choice of music is another aspect addressed in the survey with 43.3% of young people saying they like to listen to classical music. 40.6% said they are interested in combining both new and traditional music, and 16.1% said they are interested only in modern music.
Mohammad, another Kabul resident, told Salam Watandar: “Both forms of music have their own beauty and styles, but I’m more of an old-fashioned fan, and I like the old-fashioned style of clothes, food, and the form of music I listen to, because it feels good.”
On the other hand, the findings of the survey, by gender, show that boys are more interested in traditional lifestyles than girls. As per the surveyو girls are more interested in combining modern and classic lifestyles.
Of the boys surveyed, 39.4% said they liked traditional clothing while 30.4% of girls are interested in this type of clothing. Also, 59.1% of girls said they liked the combination of both types of clothing, but among boys, 44.4% were interested in such a combination.
“The combination of both styles is very good,” says Erfan, a young man who likes to combine traditional and modern styles because he said “when both styles are combined, it becomes very beautiful”.
Similarly, food choices, ways of holding family celebrations, listening to music and choosing a profession were other factors that show that boys prefer the classical type more than the girls.
Another Kabul resident Yusuf says, “I am a fan of the old style. I like traditional clothes and traditional food that is prepared at home.”
However, sociologists and psychologists say that the extent to which young people are interested in their lifestyle depends on their resources and level of awareness.
According to them, although each style is acceptable according to the values of society, but young people are more interested in modern lifestyle.
“With the increase in education of young people, there have been changes in their lifestyle, and it should be said that whatever behavior is accepted in society, is the best kind of style,” said Rashid Sediqi, a sociologist. He added young people are more interested in urbanization and new lifestyles.
Nezami Aziz, a psychologist, says: “The quality of life is directly related to things such as economy, facilities and peace, and the more these things are institutionalized in society, the more it has a positive impact on the quality of life and most young people want a modern life because in modern life, all values are preserved.”
