23/12/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | DEC 23, 2025

22

Making family gatherings work

Ű BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR

F OR many teens and young adults, especially the current and previous two generations, long family events feel uncomfortable, exhausting or out of sync with their lifestyle. Several common reasons explain why a growing part of the population might avoid them. Too much social pressure Being around many relatives often means social expectations: small talk, answering the same inane questions such as “How’s school?”, “When are you getting a job/partner?” and every child-free young couple’s favourite, “When are you planning to start a family?”, or being judged for life choices. For teens and young adults, that can feel heavy. There is also the aspect of social fatigue with how these interactions can literally and figuratively feel like they drag on for hours, especially for those that do not feel like talking. That pressure makes skipping the gathering all the more appealing. independence As children grow into teens and then into young adults, they seek autonomy and privacy. These are formative years whey they begin building their own identity, habits and priorities. Long family gatherings intrude on that space and time. The need to follow elders’ routines, from meal times to long conversations and eager relatives trying to stay informed about personal life, can clash with a young person’s desire for freedom and downtime. rhythms Teens and young adults juggle school, work, part-time jobs, social lives and personal projects. Their daily rhythm may not match older adults’ schedules. A long weekend lunch or late-night Need for personal space, Busy schedules, different

Avoiding outdated dynamics, judgement Family gatherings may reproduce old patterns, such as someone acting like the “boss”, conflicts, gossip and lectures about life choices. For teens or young adults building new values, these dynamics can feel stifling or archaic. Avoiding gatherings becomes a way to protect mental well-being and avoid unnecessary judgment. protection For a small minority, large gatherings may trigger stress or anxiety. Social exhaustion, pressure to behave a certain way or previous bad experiences during family events can make future ones unappealing. Thus, these teens and young adults will opt to choosing fewer or shorter interactions to help preserve emotional balance. With the above out of the way, for families that have noticed the younger generation in their family units doing one or more of the aforementioned, what can they do to help? 0 Respect their time Let teens or young adults know they do not have to stay the whole time. 0 Offer flexible gatherings Shorter visits or casual meetups work better than long, formal dinners. 0 Reduce social pressure Avoid intrusive questions about personal life or plans. Understand boundaries when it comes to sensitive topics such as marriage or children. 0 Mix in activities Rather than sit-down dinners, do something casual, such as movie nights or have simple games. 0 Understand their world Respect that their social life and priorities may differ from older generations. Emotional or mental-health

o Ensuring teens, young adults do not feel alienated at reunions

Short and casual meetups often feel easier than formal, large family dinners. – PICS FROM FREEPIK

family dinner may conflict with a work shift, study plan or simply their need to rest. Over time, skipping such gatherings becomes a way to manage energy and time. Digital life, peer connections Many young people invest time in digital friendships, online communities, social media or remote work/study. Their social circle and sense of belonging often lie outside the traditional family unit. For them, hanging out with peers or staying online may feel more fulfilling than attending family events that feel “forced”.

Some youth feel more comfortable expressing themselves in online communities than engaging in long in-person conversations.

Abaro shoes receive innovation accolade over GPS tracking, dry tech sometimes I lose track of the school schedule changes. They do not carry phones so I used to ask in the parents’ WhatsApp group if anyone had seen my son. I considered using a GPS tracker but did not know where to place it safely. With Abaro HideTech, there is a secure hidden pocket, now I can locate him easily and it gives me so much relief,” said Bobo Heng, a mother of three kids. Weather-related struggles were echoed by Ayu Rafikah, a loyal Abaro user and mother of seven kids, who appreciates the practicality of DryTech. insole has anti-odour properties, so the shoes stay fresher for longer.” Shoe mix-ups are another common challenge among younger students, especially when they remove their shoes at places such as the surau or library. Abaro NameTech has provided an effortless solution for many families. “I often receive messages from parents asking if we found any misplaced shoes. This year alone, I bought multiple pairs for my daughter because she kept MALAYSIA’S homegrown school shoe brand Abaro has been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for “Most Innovative Features in a School Shoe” – with practical and meaningful functional features that support the real daily needs of Malaysian families.

“We design our shoes by listening to real families and understanding the small everyday challenges they face. That is why we created more than 10 purposeful tech features and combined multiple innovations into each pair. Our goal has always been to create school shoes that genuinely make life a little easier for parents and children,” said Abaro COO Kevin Soh. Real experiences from parents and teachers show how Abaro’s innovations make a difference. HideTech, Abaro’s discreet GPS tracker pocket, has brought reassurance to many families. “My kids take the school van and

bringing home the wrong ones, even writing her name on the insole fades. With NameTech, she can identify her shoes instantly and the mix-ups stopped. It is such a relief,” said Norazimah, a teacher and mother of two kids, shared. These experiences show how Abaro’s innovations are not just technical enhancements but meaningful solutions shaped around real Malaysian school routines.

“When their shoes get wet, the smell can be overpowering and fills the whole car. It also means extra work for me because I need to wash and dry the shoes quickly. We have tried everything from hairdryers to placing them behind the fridge. With Abaro DryTech, their shoes stay dry and they are easy to clean. I just wipe the dirt off and it saves me so much hassle. Plus, the MugPlus

Abaro’s practical school shoe innovations can help ease real daily challenges.