The growing culture of fleeting consumer trends has gripped today’s youth. Many pre-teens and teenagers adopt such fads mainly to feel relevant among their peers, whether it be cargo pants, costly water bottles or collectible figurines. Within days, cheaper replicas flood the market, creating excessive waste.
A 12,000-rupee tumbler and a 2,000-rupee one serve the same purpose, yet both are flaunted as status symbols. Accessories and covers only add to this cycle of unnecessary consumption.
What is troubling is how quickly these trends expire. Stanleys are replaced by Owala bottles, Sonny Angels by Labubus, and the cycle continues. This constant race for relevance fosters materialism and peer pressure, overshadowing individuality and values.
It is time for us to reflect on whether the pursuit of such short-lived trends is worth the pressure and waste it creates. Young people, in particular, must be encouraged to value sustainability and self-expression over consumerism
Manahil Zehra Jaffri
Karach
