Post by: Casey Young
Why is it that this generation fears commitment? It was not uncommon back fifty, sixty, or even just twenty years ago, for people to have worked their entire lives committed to one company or corporation. People moved up the corporate ladder and transferred internally, but never left what they committed to until they retired. People committed to living in a single neighborhood and laid down roots for investment in long-term properties and real estate. People bought cars that lasted decades and wanted only the most durable and reliable. People invested in stocks and bonds that they would not see the fruit of until years and years later. People committed to churches, organizations, fraternities, secret societies, associations, and friendships.
But not this generation. It is considered rare that people commit to a company for a year or two--a five-year commitment is unheard of. The most senior member of a startup could be someone who was just there for under a decade. People no longer buy real estate or invest in properties (albeit the condition of the housing market), but instead choose to rent and lease apartments and studios. People buy cars no longer for longevity or durability, but rather, have the mindset of owning it for a few years and then trading it for something better. The commitment to churches, organizations, and friendships are as strong as the acquaintances we “friend” on Facebook. We no longer value commitment and are no longer in it for the long haul.
There are many personal and circumstantial reasons, but here are a few broad strokes that may get to the heart of it. I am certainly not saying that these things justify the lack of commitment, but can be factors that exasperate it. I am neither condoning nor condemning, just presenting. Many of these factors are often unbeknownst to many and are subconsciously affecting the way we view our surroundings and world.
The Social Media Generation
The most obvious factor is that this generation is one that is connected through virtual reality. Social media has now become a platform to bring people together and connects friendships. However, the nature of virtual reality is that it is more virtual than reality. It allows for things to be expressed with a sense of boldness that is often socially unaccepted in real life. Behind the screen, we become warriors for our own cause or put on the facade that we choose to be seen with. Relationships become superficial and based solely on our own preferences and likings. Friendships are not necessarily committed ones or ones that are seeking to be lasting ones.
The Post-911 Generation
The world drastically changed after September 11, 2001. Not only was the skyline of New York changed, but the political-economic skyline was changed as well. This is the generation of terrorist attacks have become commonplace and even expected. Bombings and shoots are practically everyday occurrences. The fear that drives skepticism and insecurity is more pronounced today than it was in other generations. Much like the World War II generation’s use of bomb shelters, this generation crawls into the bomb shelters of virtual reality in hopes to numb and desensitize the feeling of fear and uncertainty. There is no promise of tomorrow, and the next bombing could be just around the corner or down the street. As because of this fear and uncertainty, we fear commitment, and might even see it as pointless or in vain.
The Second Great Depression
In that same vein of things, the socioeconomic landscape is largely uncertain as well. The housing market and stock market is as unpredictable as the next trending video on YouTube or the next #hashtag to catch on. Investments and bonds are not promised to be fruitful and have generous returns. The rapid globalization and advancement in technology has allowed for most jobs to be done in the comfort of homes and couches. The flexibility to move to the next big city or to hideaway in the woods is up to the individual’s own preferences. Why commit to a particular neighborhood or locale when the next move might be tomorrow? People are more acquainted with the random stranger on Facebook than with the family that lives next door.
The fear of commitment might be the mark of this generation. Commitment is the foundation to integrity, to faithfulness, and to loyalty. It is the basis to sticking through things when things aren’t all that we want it to be. One of the biggest critiques of this generation is that we waver and shift with the tides. We leave and abandon ship when the boat gets rocky or when we get a little seasick. So, how about you? Are you afraid of commitment?
To be continued… if I come back to it. I fear to commit to it.
Casey Young is currently a graduate student pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Casey desires to help people understand how they can redeem and reconcile cultural identities and challenge their faith, through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He grew up in the Chinese American church and currently serves as a pastoral intern at First Chinese Baptist Church, San Gabriel Valley. With the passion of bringing theology and cultural relevance to the table, he has the wants to see the Asian American church grow and shift to better reach this generation and those to come.