The oxford dictionary describes arrogance as being aggressively assertive or presumptuous. So what is the relation between arrogance and youth? Does the fact that arrogance is one of the attributes of youth now-a-days, surprise you? Does it have a positive effect on people? Can it be logically justified?

This is another example of the two sides of the coin case. Let’s consider one at a time. Arrogance comes with the knowledge (or belief) that one is greater than the other, that one has better abilities than the other. In short it is too much confidence. There is always a fine line between self-esteem and over-confidence. And when this line is misunderstood, there is arrogance.

One thing that is unquestionable is that life is no longer cake-walk, in fact, it never was, but for youth today, it is not too easy to face the world with a smiling face. So maybe the arrogance is just an answer that the youth have come up with for the “it’s a jungle out there” statement that has been, ironically, taught to them by their elders. If you want to train your kids to be tough skinned and strong enough to face the “big bad world” you should also expect them to be arrogant about the skills they posses. Agreed, that this is not a virtuous thing to do. But then how many parents tell their kids NOT to turn the other cheek, and how many parents encourage their kids to lie whenever it is convenient.

So if you want to be noticed, if you want to show the world that you have talents and skills, if you want to prove that you are better than the hundreds out there, waiting to take your place if you falter just a little bit, then humility is certainly not the way to go. Also, youth is all about individuality, about discovering oneself, so youth always tend to develop a grading scale of their own, which they will put you up against, and if you measure up, you are welcome. A little ruthless, yes, but don’t worry, the grading keeps changing as often as their moods… So for a while certain things are despised with all the hatred and then the trend changes and the same qualities are worshipped. Meanwhile, whatever they feel is not up to the mark, will be treated with ‘arrogance’.

Now to the other side of the coin. Arrogance, if it exists, should be backed with a good reason. Also, if you want to be arrogant you should be capable of dealing with the response you are likely to get. It is O.K to take pride in certain things that you are capable of, but you should take care not to hurt feelings. Arrogance should ALWAYS be accompanied by a fair and non-judgmental mind. We all know about pride and ‘falling’, so be ready to embrace humility if need be, even disgrace. If you don’t want to take that chance, you’d better start behaving with due respect to people who deserve it. Also, if you can’t bear to see the arrogance in others around you, you should be able to analyze just what effect your behavior has on others. So arrogance that comes with good reasons should be all right, as long as you respect other’s abilities and give them due credit.

Youth today should also realize that they have to put up different faces when they are in different company. So when in presence of elders like parents and relatives, teachers, or when at school or college or office, or when in the company of friends and pals; you need to be different in behavior, conduct and attitude. And hence you need to modulate your arrogance too. If you are not able to do that, you are setting a bad example, and that will simply take away all your right to behave as you want in public.

A point that needs to be noted is that youth is always associated with carefree-ness and a sort of care-a-damn attitude. So which other time in one’s life is more appropriate than this? Not that arrogance can be justified, but then everyone has had their reckless days! Also, one must admit that arrogance is not seen only in the youth. One often comes across much older people behaving assertively and presumptuously. So the wisdom and maturity that comes with age has nothing to do with arrogance.

In conclusion.. no matter how advanced you consider yourself, no matter what achievement you have to your name, no matter how backward you consider the others around you, there should be a regulator switch to your arrogance. It is time we sorted out what pride and self-esteem are and how different arrogance is.

At the end of the day, if you want a simple answer, youth and arrogance have always been connected to each other. Perhaps the only difference between the earlier generation and ours is that maybe we have enough exposure to the world and are enough worldly-wise to figure out or priorities and to channel our arrogance in the right direction, to achieve something productive. As long as it leads to something good, arrogance is bearable. And if it is not bearable, you automatically know its no good!! What say??