For Many 18-Year-Olds, Covid-19 Has Delayed Their Rite of Passage into Clubbing
For many young people, the age of 18 is seen as a rite of passage — a time to go out, let loose, and experience life in the buzzing nightclubs of Singapore. However, for the past two years, the pandemic has stolen this milestone from an entire generation. The youths who were supposed to experience their first night in a club have instead spent their coming-of-age years navigating lockdowns and restrictions.
One group of friends, like many others, have spent their Friday nights the same way: pre-drinking at home, preparing to head out. But unlike their older counterparts who have long enjoyed the nightclub scene, these 18-year-olds haven’t yet set foot in one. The usual excitement — the music, the energy of the crowd, and the thrill of the night — is something they can only imagine, not experience.
With the clubbing scene restricted for a large portion of their formative years, many of these youths are now at the cusp of adulthood, unsure when they’ll finally be able to dance the night away without restrictions. The empty spaces in their social calendars, once meant for clubbing, have instead been filled with online hangouts and socially distant meetups.
This generational gap in nightlife experiences has sparked some introspection. For this cohort of youths, missing out on what is considered a quintessential part of growing up may seem like a small sacrifice compared to the broader challenges of the pandemic. Yet, for many, it’s still a significant part of the social fabric that has been delayed by global events.
While it may seem trivial in the face of everything else that’s been affected, the experience of a night out — and the freedom it symbolizes — is one of the rites of passage that many are eagerly awaiting. But for now, these youths continue to adapt, waiting for the day when they can finally join the crowd at places like Zouk and live out the night they’ve been imagining for so long.
