In some societies, stress is now regarded as a major problem and it is thought that people suffer from more stress than they did in the past. However, others feel that the amount of stress people have today is exaggerated. They say that previous generations were under more pressure, but the idea of suffering from stress did not exist. Discuss both these views and give your opinion in at least 250 words and mention any relevant examples from your own experience.

In some societies, stress is now regarded as a major problem and it is thought that people suffer from more stress than they did in the past.

However, others feel that the amount of stress people have today is exaggerated. They say that previous generations were under more pressure, but the idea of suffering from stress did not exist. Discuss both these views and give your opinion in at least 250 words and mention any relevant examples from your own experience.

 

iIELTS Essay - Stress and Current Generation 

There is a topical argument ensuing between different schools of thought, after emergence of stress as a major feature of modern lifestyles, as to whether it is a reality, or a hoax. Where some suggest, the present generation is afflicted by this phenomenon, others point out that it was the past generation that faced more pressure than today, and yet remained unaffected.  

Stress today is ubiquitous, as per some. Working hours have stretched due to intense competition from rival businesses and colleagues; forcing people to remain confined to office cubicles for longer hours, and even on off-days. This is taking a toll on their personal lives: they are unable to sustain a work life balance; many find themselves juggling between fulfilling professional obligations, and addressing matters and concerns related to families. 

However, some ridicule this view, and feel that the stress current generation is facing, is its own making. People in the past had to work and travel for longer hours: they did not have such advanced technologies, as available today, to their aid. However, they remained virtually unaffected by work pressure: they were practical, being aware of their  limitations and not being over ambitious, and hardly set any insurmountable  goals.

Besides this, stress is more of an overstatement today. It rising due to people not interacting with others, as openly as they  did in the past. Their over-engagement with  technology in leisure, is taking them away from the society. Many find themselves indulging in watching television; playing games on computers and hand held devices; and interacting with their virtual contacts on social media. Thereby, forcing them to forego opportunities to socialize with their families and peers. 

To sum up, I feel, after assessing both the opinions, stress even though did not  emerge recently, seems to be afflicting the present generation more, but, the phenomenon is surely an outcome of over ambitious and over-zealous approach, it has embraced.