Mallrats: A product of an urban Jakarta

Mallrats: A product of an urban Jakarta

By Katherine O'Hara

JAKARTA (JP): Mallrats: a generation of teenagers dressed in
the latest fashions seen at shopping malls seven-days-a-week, day
and night.

These large groups of clones, walking through the mall
giggling with a cigarette in one hand and a mobile phone in the
other are easily spotted. They caused the recent spread of cafes
in many of the malls such as Pondok Indah Mall (PIM) and Plaza
Senayan, which now have cafes in every corner of their buildings.
Their hobbies consist of consuming a large amount of coffee while
catching up on the latest gossip.

Seeing these teenagers crowding into already crowded smoke-
filled cafes one is justified in asking whether they have
anything else to do. Unfortunately, most of the time the answer
is no.

In a city as large a Jakarta, it is amazing that there is not
enough for teenagers to do. While there are a few ice skating
rinks, bowling alleys and public swimming pools, there are still
not enough to go around. When teenagers are asked why they would
rather go to the mall than go swimming or participate in another
such hobby, many answer that it is not worth the hassle battling
the large crowds. Malls are practical, especially in Jakarta
where there one on every corner. And they are a lot more "trendy"
than the local pool.

"I love hanging out at the mall because I can watch a movie,
have something to eat and go shopping all under one roof," said
Roya Naderi, a 17-year-old student.

"Besides you never know, I may bump into some cute guys," she
added smiling, while taking a sip of her cappuccino in Cafe
Regal, a popular teenage hangout at PIM.

As a mallrat, she goes to the mall almost every day after
school hours. She usually spends the whole weekend at PIM,
shopping during the day with her friends and then watching a
movie with either her family or her friends in the evening.

Another teenager, 14-year-old Budi Arto loves going to the
mall because of the comfort and the fact that there will always
be tons of other mallrats to show off his new clothes to. "It's
so hot outside, while in the mall it is cool because of the air
conditioning." Grinning, he continues: "Plus, where else am I
going to wear my new Adidas shirt?"

Yet, what is to become of these mallrats? A generation of
adults that are hooked on nicotine, addicted to coffee and
overweight? This is a realistic possibility if we compare the
older generation's active lifestyle, which mainly consisted of
sports, with today's generation's fondness for "hanging at the
mall".

People say that Jakarta is constantly developing. But what
type of developments are they, if today's teenagers prefer a trip
to the mall rather than a trip to the local pool? There are a lot
of malls all around the city distracting teenagers from other
hobbies that they may actually benefit from. Malls are starting
to play such an important part in these teenagers' lives that
when the holidays come round and they close, you can almost hear
the harmonious sounds of a thousand teenagers wail at the
tragedy.

As Angga Ralisiregar, a 15-year-old student said, "I only wish
the mall would be open for longer."

Most malls open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

An alternative viewpoint is that malls are needed as they
provide a secure and comfortable environment for teenagers to
spend time in.

The May 1998 riots and the prevalence of crime rings all too
true in the minds of parents. This makes them somewhat reluctant
to send their children into the city alone. To many parents,
malls are a blessing, as they are places where teenagers can roam
freely away from their watchful eyes but at the same time are
protected.

"I feel comforted knowing that my children are at the mall,
rather than playing on the streets," stated Sri Hartuti, a mother
of three.

Socializing in big groups also reassures parents that their
sons and daughters are less likely to be seen as a target for
crime. Teenagers today are encouraged to gather in large groups
for safety reasons and to encourage social skills.

However, there are arguments that if teenagers socialize in
large groups constantly it prevents them from developing their
own individuality, they become too reliant on their friends, and,
eventually define themselves by them. Teenage years are the
essential time to find oneself, yet mallrats tend to lose
themselves in the group.

Looking at the big picture, it seems that teenagers turning
into mallrats does more harm than good. Unhealthy lifestyles are
created. Smoking, coffee-drinking, playing arcade games, shopping
and "hanging with friends" are not acceptable hobbies and may
stunt teenagers' mental and physical growth. Many believe that
education in Jakarta is improving. However, the lack of
activities that challenge the body and mind of today's youth may
counteract what good education is doing for Jakarta's generation
of mallrats.