Differences in Standards for a Comfortable Life Between Today's Youth and Previous Generations

Sociologist Imam Prasodjo states that most young people today, including Millennials and Gen Z, have different standards for a comfortable life compared to previous generations. “In the past, comfort meant a large house, land, and a car. Now, it’s more about lifestyle flexibility,” said Imam when contacted by ANTARA on Thursday. According to him, the current younger generation generally prioritises flexibility, mobility, and easy access to public facilities over owning physical assets such as houses or personal vehicles. The lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia, said that this tendency has mainly developed in urban societies with adequate public transportation services and facilities. “In big cities or developed countries, public facilities are more comfortable for them than owning their own car,” he said. Imam added that urban youth also often choose practical housing options such as studio apartments, rented houses, or boarding rooms, which they consider more suitable for their dynamic lifestyle. According to him, the current youth’s tendency in choosing housing is influenced by changes in the social system structure. “In the past, people lived in large families, so houses were important. Now families are smaller, mobility is high, so housing needs have changed,” he explained. Among today’s young generation, many direct more of their spending towards travel, social activities, and lifestyle needs rather than buying a house or vehicle. “If they have money, they tend to choose travelling or other experiences. So it’s not that they’re simple, but their spending priorities are different,” said Imam. However, he noted that not all of the current younger generation apply this lifestyle pattern. Because not all generations live in areas with the same infrastructure and social structure. As an illustration, Imam explained that young people living in rural areas generally need landed houses and personal vehicles because public facilities and daily mobility support infrastructure in their areas are still limited.