The other day, I was sitting with my group of friends and sharing how twitter has become so negative and toxic nowadays with all the news content that it has taken a toll on my mental health, when a friend of mine playfully mocked me by saying “mujhe pata thha tu toh snowflake hai” (I knew that you were a snowflake).
For those of you who don’t know what the term “snowflake” means, the English dictionary defines it as a derogatory term to describe an easily offended person. Members of the so-called “snowflake generation” are typecast as emotionally weak and lacking resilience and use of the term has been uniformly negative. There’s also an association with words such as “sensitive”, “triggered”, “easily offended” and “thin-skinned”
In calling someone a snowflake, you are not just shutting down their opinion, but telling them off for being offended and shutting a person down is anything but freedom. And if you, the snowflake, are offended, then you are simply proving that you’re a snowflake. It’s a handcuff of an insult and nobody has the key.
Personally, I believe the ‘Snowflake' label is inaccurate and reverses the progress to de-stigmatize mental health.
Research has shown that labels such as these create stigma – and stigma’s role in mental health is an age-old problem.
Flippant stereotyping of a generation as weak based on their mental well-being contradicts efforts to reduce mental health stigma. It also undermines the goal of ensuring that society, values mental health equally with physical health.
It is important for us to recognize the ongoing mental health crisis and the need to challenge stigma, rather than labelling and stigmatizing those in need.
The word “snowflake” has lost its wistfulness as the harbinger of winter, replaced by insults to an individual’s capacity to cope in a challenging world.
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Snowflakes represent the beauty of the world. The beauty and goodness we can all strive to give. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves – when has stigma and contempt ever helped?
We as a society should work together to help young people overcome these challenges and highlight the value of compassion in millennials rather than characterizing them as weak.
Such a poignant piece prachi ... Always better to be a sensitive snowflake than to be a thick skinned cynic ! More power to the unique art pieces in white which have the power to fill oceans if they melt or engulf mountains if they choose to stay
ReplyDeleteI remember but don't know how this term "Snowflake" found currency about a decade back as a derogatory slang adjective for a person, who is over-emotional, easily offended, and unable to deal with opposing opinions. was even used as a politicized insult. Being from Himalayan region, I have seen the beautiful real snowflakes coming down from the sky slowly flying and settling down one over another.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining the other meaning of the usage,
How is it that this blog came after a long gap, we anxiously wait for your interesting writeups?
I feel, 'being a snowflake' should be considered as a compliment. In our society, these days, you need to be a snowflake to feel the pain of others. To have empathy for what others are undergoing, is a great thing. To bring a change in the society, in the mindset of people, you actually need to feel like a snowflake. In today's world there is only one group of people, who cant be a snowflake and i.e. The Politicians. So, I consider it a big compliment.
ReplyDeleteOn point prachi. Kudos to ya, for such an amazing blog!!
ReplyDeleteThe sooner we be empathetic and accept that mental health is as important as physical well being, the better it will be for all of us as a society! It’s ok to be a ‘snowflake’, for snowflakes are pure and represent the beauty of nature, and god’s creation. Yet they are prone to melt when exposed to ‘heat’. Similarly, us snowflakes are susceptible to breakdowns if not handled with love and care. The mindset needs to change and counselling, awareness, discussions are the need of the hour.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written Prachi! Looking forward to reading more of your blogs!