A recent incident during this Christmas season made me reflect on the fundamental differences in how we perceive value across generations.

To me, those cardboard pieces were far more than just paper—they represented an experience. The memory of finding it, purchasing it at a time when such sets were rare in our region, and the care taken to preserve and reuse it year after year had imbued it with emotional value. But to my son and his children, they were simply paper cuttings—replaceable and insignificant in the grander scheme of their Christmas joy. If not this crib, another could always be bought. For them, the focus was on freedom and fun, not preserving fragile pieces of cardboard.

What held immense emotional value for me seemed to hold little to no value for them. But does this indicate an erosion of values? Does it mean my son lacks values altogether? On the contrary, he prioritizes his children’s freedom and happiness, whereas I might have scolded them and made them cry for mishandling those ‘precious’ pieces of paper.

This incident illustrates the difference in value systems—not just between individuals, but also across regions and generations. We all assign importance to things we consider valuable—be it culture, traditions, language, attire, rituals, food, historical places, or buildings. Yet, the priority or importance given to these aspects will always vary from person to person. When others fail to see the same value in what we cherish, we often label it as an ‘erosion of values.’ In reality, it is more accurately described as a shift in values.

The family was once the cornerstone of our lives. In earlier generations, most of our time was spent with family members. We shared, cared for, learned, and taught within the family unit. As the sixth of ten siblings, with over twenty cousins, my world was deeply intertwined with family connections. Friends were almost unnecessary because family filled every social role.

Today, times have changed. The number of siblings has dwindled, and the age gap among them is often significant. Friendships outside the family have become more central to younger generations, and their priorities have shifted. But this is not an erosion—it’s a natural evolution of value systems, a shift from family-centric connections to peer-centered bonds.

The same pattern can be observed in traditions. The older generation clings firmly to rituals and cultural practices, finding security and identity in them. The younger generation, however, seeks novelty, often discarding old traditions in favor of creating new ones.

Returning to the story of my cardboard crib, the younger generation might not find joy in assembling the same set year after year. Instead, they are drawn to the excitement of creating a new crib each Christmas, perhaps with a different theme or style.

Take the issue of migration. We, the elders, often lament the younger generation’s lack of attachment to their native place, state, or country. Our bond exists because we spent many years rooted in one place, gained experiences from it, and built emotional connections over time. But for the younger generation, what ties them to a place? Family, as discussed earlier, is no longer the central anchor—peers, career priorities, and the future of their children take precedence. These shifting priorities naturally lead to a change in their value systems.

Religions and traditional practices are perhaps the most affected by this shift. Clinging to old traditions purely for emotional or faith-based reasons may no longer resonate with the younger generation. Instead, there should be a focus on principles and themes that align with their worldview and offer meaningful value.

Values are not eroded—they are merely transformed, and shaped by time, experience, and perspective. The essence of these shifts lies not in lamenting what was lost, but in understanding and appreciating what is gained in return.