Some people think young people should follow the traditions of their society. Others think that they should be free to behave as individuals. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Many today feel that it is crucial for younger generations to follow the traditions of their country rather than their own individual inclinations. In my opinion, though there is value to such self-expression, upholding tradition is more important.

Those who 1supportare in support of younger people prioritising their individuality 2argue that this is keyargue this is key to happiness. The true pursuit of happiness requires an individual to define their goals and accomplish them on their own terms. 3An example illustrating this pointA counterexample illustrating this point would be the rigid, hierarchical societies of the past wherein women had 4fewer opportunities for self-expressionfewer rights of self-expression. Most women in the past did not receive an education and were effectively blocked from having 5a career or a lifea career or life outside the 6traditional confines of the housewife roletraditional confines of a housewife. The narrow range of experiences on offer meant that most women 7struggled to findwere unable to struggle to find their own version of happiness.

However, since 8social norms today conflict less with individual freedomthe stigmas of society today are less in conflict with individuals, it is logical to prioritise tradition. Traditions themselves may be forgotten if not respected and adhered to. For example, in many indigenous cultures, younger people are more interested in migrating from their ancestral homes to the cities to lead a modern life. If this 9occurs on a large enough scaleoccurs in enough numbers, then thousands of 10distinctunique, distinct cultures will fade into the seemingly inevitable global monoculture. Once this happens, there will be no way to 11revive past traditionsretrieve and enliven past traditions and they will become relics of history rather than living monuments to diversity, creativity, and human ingenuity.

In conclusion, though individual freedom is important, particularly for repressed segments of society, there is greater value in preserving past ways of life. This is difficult to 12achieveenforce but governments should seek to encourage the latter instead of the former.