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.