The lives of young adults in different areas of the world can be vastly different, yet even across cultural boundaries, young people still have some similarities. The society that people grow up in couldn’t be any more different than between the United States and Bangladesh yet some of the experiences are very similar.
Having job opportunities is imperative in order to support an individual and family. Without being able to earn money, the person will not be able to eat appropriately and pay for adequate housing. Employment opportunities in Bangladesh is a controversial issue. The Bangladesh Economic Association feel that the lack of jobs for educated youth is a critical issue that if not address will lead to social crisis. Other people have noted that there will be extensive growth in construction and manufacturing jobs. By 2025, the Bangladeshi population is forecasted to be at 190 million people. Forty-three percent of this population will be under the age of 30. Having appropriate jobs available for this generation is imperative for the health of all the people (Melik).
The United States is currently in a similar situation as Bangladesh. According to a Gallup poll, Payroll to Population employment rate, only 43.6% of 18 to 29-year-olds were employed full time by one employer in June 2013. Only one year earlier the rate was 47%. The rate continued to decline from June 2011 (45.8%) and June 2010 (46.3%) as well. There are many possible explanations for the decline in employment. There is the possibility that more people are choosing to stay out of the workforce while they complete their education, or if could be because there area less jobs available, and people are forced to work multiple part-time jobs in order to make ends meet (Jacobe).
Technology in Bangladesh has been growing dramatically over the last few years, making strides to comparable services to those that young adults in the United States rely on. As of April 2013 there were 33.43 million internet users in Bangladesh. An increase in the quality of mobile technology has greatly increased internet penetration into the country. About 95% of all internet users, 31.33 million, access the internet through mobile networks while the remainder rely on broadband sources according to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. As of 2013 there were internet service providers, publish switched telephone networks, two Wimax operators and six mobile phone companies in business within Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Business News notes “Currently, telecom operator Grameenphone is leading the sector with 10 million internet subscribers followed by Banglalink 9.7 million, Robi 4.4 million, Airtel 2.8 million, Citycell 0.3 million and Teletalk 0.255 million” (Bangladesh Business News). The increase that Bangladesh has seen in its spread of access to technology will increase the use of internet and others in education. This will in turn advance educational advance in the country, and, therefore, young adults can look forward to better-paying careers (Shohel and Kirkwood).
Also in 2013, almost 98% of all United States households had internet access. About 20% of all United States individuals do not have access to the internet at all, either at home, work, school or even by a mobile device. These people are generally of elder generations and not the young adults that are being compared. U.S. president Barack Obama vowed to spend $7 billion to increase internet access to all people in the country (Wyatt). Bangladesh youth probably have a better opportunity to reach the internet but the choice of carrier and technology can hardly be compared. Thousands of mobile phones with at least four different operating systems are available. At least a dozen different carriers offer devices with many different capabilities. Millions of apps are written specifically for this United States market. While the most popular apps such as Angry Birds might be available to the Bangladeshi young adult more obscure apps probably are not (Van Camp).
While the United States has more choices of technology available to 20-year-olds, it is also more expensive. The cost of living is more expensive in the United States is greater, and therefore wages are as well. Kelsey Timmerman, based on visiting a Bangladesh factory stated “The not so decent part is how much the people get paid – anywhere between $25 and $50 PER MONTH! Sure, it’s cheaper to live in Bangladesh, but not that much cheaper. I met with workers, ate with them, took naps in their houses, I know that what they get paid isn’t enough” (Timmerman). The average per capita income in Bangladesh is only US$280 to US$300 (Bourne, Dineen and Noorul Huq). Young adults in America experience similar issues with earning potential. Forty percent of all adults will be in poverty at least once before the age of 60. Young adults will have a particularly hard time being financially sound as jobs, especially those that do not require a college degree, simply do not pay enough. From the ages of 25 to 34, 41.3% of young adults will spend at least one year earning 150% less than the poverty line. By the age of 35, more than one-quarter of the population will have lived under the poverty line (Weissmann).
Young adults in Bangladesh and the United States have had some similar experiences. Both of these groups can have difficulty finding appropriate employment, and when they do there is clearly a lack of appropriate payment. Also, The 20-year-olds may have better access to the internet, but those in the United States have better opportunities for advanced technologies.
- Bangladesh Business News. “Internet users reach to 33.43 million in Bangladesh.” 31 May 2013. Bangladesh Business New. Web. 11 May 2015.
- Bourne, Rupert, et al. “Correction of Refractive Error in the Adult Population of Bangladesh: Meeting the Unmet Need.” Clinical and Epidemiologic Research (2004): 410-417. Print.
- Jacobe, Dennis. “In U.S., Fewer Young Adults Holding Full-Time Jobs in 2013.” n.d. Gallup. Web. 11 May 2015.
- Melik, James. “What future awaits Bangladeshi youth.” 3 December 2012. BBC News. Web. 11 May 2015.
- Shohel, Mahruf and Adrian Kirkwood. “Using technology for enhancing teaching and learning in Bangladesh: challenges and consequences.” Learning, Media and Technology (2012): 414-428. Print.
- Timmerman, Kelsey. Where am I Wearing? Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2012. Print.
- Van Camp, Jeffery. “How to Choose a Smartphone.” 15 June 2012. Digital Trends. Web. 11 May 2015.
- Weissmann, Jordan. “Yep, Being a Young, American Adult Is a Financial Nightmare.” 6 November 2013. The Atlantic. Web. 11 May 2015.
- Wyatt, Edward. “Most of U.S. Is Wired, but Millions Aren’t Plugged In.” 18 August 2013. New York Times. Web. 11 May 2015.
