New York Eats Its Youth

The statement “New York Eats It’s Youth” is bold, but it helps bring to the forefront the reality of this dark city. Manhattan truly can kill every dream in the minds of unprepared newcomers. To some Manhattan is the greatest city in the world, the financial capital of the world, and the city that never sleeps.

Yet, there is a darker world lurking beneath the concrete. For youth with seemingly infinite income, New York is simply a playground. This playground is not reflective of the struggling lifestyle typical of Manhattan’s newcomers.

Residing in New York City necessitates an adaptability to a fast-paced lifestyle, and this breeds a particularly unique brand of people suited to thrive in these harsh conditions.  Many can attest to the fact that everyone isn’t suited for the competitive, malicious lifestyle indigenous to the concrete jungle.

Without adequate preparation for the constant bombardment of distractions and temptations from the ever-changing city, one’s dreams can very rapidly disintegrate into nothingness. New York will reveal and magnify the flaws of the weak for the world to see.

This city is fearless, competitive, ambitious, creative and arrogant. These are essential qualities that must be emulated to survive in this city. Your success will be built off the backs of others, and you cannot be afraid to step on them to make progress.

Rest assured that you would be subject to the same treatment when placed in a similar situation.

What we have just stated is arguably common knowledge. Despite recognizing the hardships they will inevitably face in Manhattan, each year thousands of wide-eyed hopeful youth flock to the city hoping that their experience will somehow be different. These misinformed hopefuls seem to be blissfully ignorant of what will actually occur in this city where dreams get crushed and only the strongest and most ambitious survive.

This group is mostly comprised of over eager teenagers, “models”, undergrads and young professionals seeking social and financial success. Upon arrival, they are faced with unceasing pressure to perform that will shatter any glimmer of hope they hold in their hearts. Soon, the novelty of the city wears off and the competitiveness of the environment becomes overwhelming.

With this unceasing pressure on their heels, many overindulge in the city’s vibrant night life. This is precisely when problems begin to arise. For some, status is an extremely important indicator of success. Many young women, oftentimes models, seek this status by shamelessly attempting to gain access to the most exclusive venues.

They yearn for acceptance in the glorified New York social scene. This newfound independence can result in a rash of irrational decisions resulting in alienation from established support systems. A friend of Elite Daily recalls a particular instance when a girl dumped a supportive boyfriend in the pursuit of the fast life.

What these “models” seem to be unaware of is that New York is home to an abundance of models. The title “model” hold little weight here, as they will rapidly have to come to terms with. These wide-eyed 18 year olds are pitted against highly competitive models who will limit their food intake to a grain of bread. Everything in New York is based in competition, and only the strongest will survive. In these sultry night clubs, they will find highly successful men who will feign interest for sex.

These men, typically within the upper income brackets, offer tables and limitless drinks with a promise of access to the New York lifestyle they’ve always dreamed of. This is until they realize that the New York lifestyle is based on manipulation.

Unfortunately, impressionable young women are likely to fall for this trap time and time again–eventually resulting in extremely low self esteem due to a constant cycle of attention seeking leading to eventual rejection.

They start to understand that getting that Vogue internship isn’t as easy as its portrayed in movies. In New York, you have to be exceptional to gain recognition.

There thousands of smart, beautiful girls around the city that exceed the qualities of their own. Sure you were the most sought after person in Huntington Beach, CA, but welcome to the big leagues, sweetheart…

The stress, pressure and temptation that newcomers are faced with will ultimately lead to drug and alcohol abuse as a coping mechanism when they come to terms with the reality of New York.

Hopeful young men face even greater challenges. Having to compete the titans of almost every respective industry can be quite overwhelming and intimidating. One must possess a cold heart to survive the frightening reality of New York.

Young men will realize that there is a dearth of opportunity without connections and the self-serving nature of the city leads those who gain power to hoard it instead of sharing it. One must create their own opportunities, requiring in a mental toughness that some simply don’t have the capability to handle.

Further, Manhattan is simultaneously one of the most expensive cities to live in and one of the hardest cities to achieve success.

Finding love becomes an expense due to the superficial personality the city forces its residents to take on. It becomes imperative to dine in expensive restaurant, and a first date to impress your beau can sap up to half your weekly salary.

Even worse, when clubbing, men must become lavish spenders to impress women to compete with the wealthy businessmen seeking the same women they’re after.

New York eats its youth alive. If you are not prepared for the reality of this city, you would be wise to remain in suburbia.

ELITE DAILY.