In recent days I have been experiencing much discontent as a consequence of how difficult it is for us as young people to grow in Jamaica. More specifically, I refer to the housing situation and ageism being factors that stymie our desire to achieve some assets at a young age.

Having been in the world of work for half a decade, I have heard many co-workers speak about how they were able to secure a house from as early as 23 years old. Unfortunately, many young people of this day and age are not able to share the same joy that was experienced by the generations before them.

What accounts for this, I believe, is the exorbitant prices for which houses are being sold, and what makes the situation even more dismal is the reality that we are not being paid handsomely to be able to pay a mortgage for a house in Jamaica or buy a house out of pocket. I use the term ‘economic unfeasibility’ to refer to this situation, because I believe that this housing situation lacks balance and is impractical. How can it be that we are expected to pay what we are not even earning?

I am abreast of the fact that some young people are exceptional and have been able to purchase a house and secure other assets. What makes this possible for many of them is that they either come from families that are able to fund their goals or they have been able to cop a job that really pays enough for them to be able to financially manage a mortgage or buy a house out of pocket. However, I am certain that this is the case only for the minority. The majority of us cannot afford to buy a house out of pocket or manage to pay a mortgage, based on the handsome fees required. I am not saying it is impossible for us to buy a house or pay a mortgage but it will require us to overexert ourselves to achieve same, all at the expense of our physical and mental health.

There is a great correlation between how gruelling it is for young people to achieve economic goals in Jamaica and the matter of brain drain. Yes, brain drain is not a new issue to us, but are we bethinking the potential phenomena that will become of it? We might say that even with brain drain a country benefits through remittances, but I am certain that the benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks.

Another thing that I have noted is that in cases in which young professionals apply for jobs that have benefits that can aid in them living a financially comfortable life, managers and other leaders deprive them of these jobs on the premise that they are too young and being too young, in their minds, is the equivalent of poor quality and ineptness. I am far too au fait with this situation.

We are living in a time when many young people are prioritising their mental health, and while we are being encouraged to be patriotic, we cannot blame those among us who have gone to and are going to etch themselves in countries where they will be better rewarded for their skills, knowledge, and qualifications.

I end with the question: Am I being delusional in expecting that one day things will be better here in our country? Perchance!

Malik Ewan is an educator. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or malikewan23@yahoo.com.