Salam Watandar’s interviews with 26 youth (16 girls and 10 boys) from eight provinces of Afghanistan show that behavioral habits—both good and bad—play a decisive role in their success, peace of mind, and social relationships.
Based on the findings, youths are aware that habits shape their lives; however, some were able to put this awareness into practice, while others remain stuck in a cycle of awareness without change.
12 of the interviewed youth identify reading, punctuality, and responsibility as the most effective good habits in their lives, while 14 others point to excessive mobile phone use, lack of planning, and procrastination as habits that have taken away important life opportunities from them.
Psychologists believe that habits are part of behavioral patterns that affect time management, levels of self-control, personal discipline, and even how people use the online space.
Constructive habits; a tool for youths’ progress
10 of the interviewed youths describe reading, planning, time management, and continuous learning as habits that have had the most positive impact on their success and peace of mind.
Ay Jan, a 19-year-old from Faryab, believes that good habits have played an important role in shaping her life. She adds,
“I believe a person’s habits play a significant role in shaping their future. My good habits include responsibility, reading, and helping others.”
Shakila, another 18-year-old youth from Faryab, considers reading the turning point in her life. She explains,
“My good habits include daily reading, responsibility, and respect for others. These habits have helped me progress in life. Regular reading has had the greatest impact on my life, as it has increased my knowledge and self-confidence.”
Masih, a 19-year-old from Kapisa, describes his good habits as simple daily behaviors.
“My good habits include behaving well with people, waking up early, maintaining personal hygiene, and following a fixed eating schedule. I also make sure to stay in touch with my friends and ask how they are doing,” he says.
According to these youths, despite social and economic pressures, constructive habits are a freely available tool for personal development.
Bad habits; a reason for lost opportunities
14 of the interviewed youths speak about habits that have cost them heavily.
Excessive mobile phone use, procrastination in daily routines, anger, low patience levels, and laziness are among the habits that often result from being with wrong friends, economic pressure, and declining motivation in daily life, leading to lost opportunities.
Zaki, an 18-year-old from Ghor, is among those who lost important opportunities due to carelessness in daily routines. He says,
“My negative habits include sometimes delaying tasks and excessive phone use, which affects my time management. As a result, I have lost several job opportunities, and it has been a bitter experience.”
Asila, a 20-year-old youth from Kabul, also says, “I sometimes postpone my tasks, use my phone excessively, and fail to concentrate sufficiently on my studies. The main reasons for these bad habits are excessive mobile phone use, lack of discipline in certain tasks, and the influence of friends or the environment.”
Shabana, a 19-year-old from Faryab, also says that she has lost important opportunities due to poor planning. She adds,
“I have also experienced losses due to these habits; for example, sometimes because of delays in completing responsibilities, I missed good opportunities. Most of these habits are caused by a lack of proper planning and, at times, environmental influence.”
It is not only procrastination that youths identify as a bad habit in their daily lives; excessive pressure and negative thoughts are also problems that, according to them, reduce motivation, increase anxiety, and lower the quality of life.
Romal Safai, a 25-year-old from Kapisa, says, “One problem I have experienced is mental pressure and overthinking, which led me to depression. I saw a doctor, who advised me to avoid negative thoughts and adopt a more positive mindset.”
Family; where habits begin
Psychologists and family counselors emphasize that the family is the most important environment in shaping personality. According to them, adolescents learn most of their behaviors, emotions, and thinking patterns within the family before entering society.
Zuhal Amirzada, a psychologist, says, “The family is one of the most important environments in which a person’s personality and habits are formed. Adolescents learn patterns of thinking, behavior, and even emotions from their families before entering society. Since humans learn more through observation and imitation, all of this later becomes habitual behavior—both good and bad habits.”
Amjad Khan Danish, a family counselor, emphasizes that parental behavior is more influential than verbal advice. He explains,
“The family is the first and most important learning environment for a child. Many good habits are formed through parents’ daily behavior, not merely through advice. If their parents are readers, punctual, organized, and early risers, children naturally adopt these behaviors. Encouragement rather than punishment is one of the most effective methods for guiding children.”
Society and schools; where youth’s habits are shaped
Shoaib Ahmadi, a sociologist, emphasizes self-awareness and social awareness, stating that youths need to understand their environment and society in order to shape their habits accordingly. He says,
“The foundation of human behavior is understanding. The more accurate and positive this understanding is, the more appropriate and positive a person’s behavior will be. The most important task for youths is to develop a proper understanding of themselves and society; then their behavior will also improve.”
On the other hand, education experts emphasize the role of educational institutions in shaping habits, saying that schools should strengthen punctuality, discipline, and perseverance among youths.
Jamaluddin Sulaimani, an education expert, says, “Education, upbringing, and punctuality are essential components. Educational institutions can encourage students, especially school and university students, to develop reading habits, punctuality, and responsibility through various methods. Education should not be limited to reading and writing; teachers should also focus on upbringing alongside teaching.”
Samiullah Ibrahimi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, says in an interview with Salam Watandar that the ministry is working to create job opportunities for youths through technical and vocational training programs.
“The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is active in employment creation. It strives to increase job opportunities in order to eliminate unemployment and ensure workers’ rights. It also works on developing skills and professions required in the market so that individuals can secure employment after acquiring these skills,” he says.
Based on the United Nations report on youth in 2025, young people’s mental health is severely affected by poverty, unemployment, limited access to education, and social pressures. These factors have contributed to increased issues such as anxiety, depression, and risky behaviors. The report emphasizes that reducing inequality, expanding employment and educational opportunities, and strengthening social support and mental health services are essential for improving conditions and ensuring healthy youth development.
Reporter: Sharifa Qasemi
