Issue 1 Explore JFM 2017
And more pasta sauce options , as many as there are in the supermarket these days does not translate in customer satisfaction .
We say , children are grumpy today NOT despite but BECAUSE OF too much choice . picture for representation purpose only
More choice does not mean better life .
Then and Now
If your are a 60s , 70s or 80s child in Asia , you can probably visualise what life with limited choices could be like .
Fewer toys , no gadgets , no multifunctional phone per person in the family , limited number of shows for children on TV , rare and far away amusement parks , fewer malls and restaurants .
‘ We had such limited choice as a child , yet we never complained . We accepted the reality and stayed happy with what we got . Today , our children have so much , things we could not even imagine . Yet they are bored most of the time and complaining . What is with this generation of ‘ smart ’ kids ? They are grumpy despite so much choice .’
A couple quipped at a seminar and the question resonated with a large number in the audience .
Yes they have access to more . And have much more than their parents had as children . But ,
More TV channels do not give more entertainment .
More toys do not lead to more play .
More food does not give more nutrition .
And , more classes or tuitions does not mean more education .
In fact many psychologists believe that more choices lead to more stress , fatigue and regret .
Our children are growing up with what psychologists call choice overload .
While on one hand , choice offers them the freedom to choose and the access to the best and widest options to choose from , on the other , they have to deal with ‘ choosing ’ - finding their way through multiple choices - daily , several times a day .
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