I want to be independent. How many times has that line crossed the minds of twenty-somethings? Independence is not about appealing to anyone else; it shapes a person’s path. The more one understands the generation that once stamped our lives with its voice, the more striking it becomes that a chorus of demands has faded away. Why aren’t young people rushing out to leave their parents’ home and live on their own terms? The simple truth is this: living with family offers comfort and security, and it lets people enjoy amenities they cannot easily afford in their own space. My students often choose the familiarity of home because there is internet, laundry, and meals already provided. Freedom sometimes feels costly, while staying under one roof feels rewarding.
This clear observation also reveals certain faults in the younger cohort. They have not fully learned the daily chores of running a home, and money management and grocery planning can lag behind. They may appear flush with funds for fashion, gadgets, and the newest tech, but that spending often signals a preference for staying current rather than building lasting independence. They speak of being capable yet rely on their parents to avoid debt for essential purchases like vehicles or home improvements. The adults in their lives shoulder the risks, and independence remains a distant goal.
Still, the aim of this discussion goes beyond mere independence among the young. It shifts toward considering the reasons behind a sense of dependency that persists across generations. The author reflects on the hesitation to take decisive steps when numerous factors create friction in one’s life. The decision to pursue personal goals can be delayed by obstacles, and those obstacles accumulate into a state of conditional autonomy. In such a frame, many individuals struggle to label themselves as truly self-employed.
Society, its systems, and the surrounding environment all shape behavior. The sociologist Niklas Luhmann described a structure that forms its own boundaries and patterns of operation, becoming both closed and open. It operates within norms yet leaves room for reflection on alternatives that grant greater autonomy. This paradox places everyone somewhere in the middle of life. Following fashion may influence how one chooses to present themselves, and people often notice these trends through unexpected channels. Yet it is possible to push back, craft a personal style, or design one’s own path. Could such choices be seen as a sign of genuine independence, or might critics label them as snobbery?
In a society where those who pursue their own ventures challenge stereotypes and face doubt, the independence of values and decisions can be perceived as risky. Some view autonomy as a threat to social cohesion, resisting diversity and originality. Yet history shows that resistance to conformity has repeatedly sparked progress. The author invites readers to consider a proactive stance: to pursue one’s own path. A nod to history comes through a line from a Barcelona poet, Joan Maragall, who spoke of the modernist aim to cut through inertia and clear a personal way forward. The text echoes this sentiment by suggesting a willingness to act with intention, even if others disagree. The idea is simple: embrace independence and do what feels true for oneself, regardless of criticism.