When 14-year-old Muhammed Amr, an enthusiastic student at a British curriculum school in the bustling city of Sharjah, requested the latest iPhone 16 from his father, Saeed, the Egyptian parent was visibly taken aback. “At first, I couldn’t make sense of what he was saying,” recalled Saeed with a furrowed brow, struggling to process the request.
“I was so surprised that I couldn’t respond right away.” After a moment of bewilderment, Saeed asked his son again, “Are you serious or are you joking?” He couldn’t fathom the reasons behind Muhammed’s craving for the expensive gadget, especially since the boy already owned a smartphone that served its purpose.
When probed further, Muhammed articulated his feelings of exclusion, expressing how he felt left out when his friends showcased their new iPhones. “Most of my classmates received the latest iPhone as a reward for passing their exams. They talk about it constantly, and I’m missing out,” said a distressed Muhammed, emphasizing the impact of social comparison among peers.
Some parents in the UAE have voiced growing concerns about how peer pressure among schoolchildren is leading to heightened financial strain. They shared that they often spend as much as Dh3,000 each month to cater to their children’s incessant demands for the latest gadgets, trendy clothes, and coveted accessories.
Requests turn into demands
Initially, Muhammed’s requests were made politely, but as time progressed, they transformed into demands that weighed heavily on Saeed. Eventually, he capitulated and purchased the iPhone 16, which set him back nearly Dh5,200. “It was not a planned expense, but he kept feeling out of place in front of his friends,” said Saeed, who works as an engineer in the construction industry. “We didn’t want him to experience that sense of isolation.”
For Saeed, purchasing gadgets had become more than a simple transaction; it signified the mounting pressure to ensure their children don’t feel ostracized. “We strive to teach him the value of money, but this relentless peer pressure is overwhelming,” Saeed lamented. And the spending didn’t stop with the phone; “After a few days, he asked for earphones and other gadgets. That’s when I had to put my foot down when it came to spending.”
Sneaker craze
The craze among children isn’t limited to gadgets; thirteen-year-old Amna Malik, a resident of the vibrant city of Dubai, is also caught up in the frenzy of collecting shoes. Despite owning over 12 pairs of sneakers, it only fueled her desire for the latest fashion. “Her friends were frequently flaunting the newest high-end sneakers from a renowned brand,” shared Nida Malik, Amna’s concerned mother.
Amna, who studies in an Indian curriculum school, was not interested in just any shoes; she was focused on limited editions that would elevate her social status among peers. “It wasn’t just about having shoes,” explained Nida. “It was about having something exclusive, something her friends couldn’t easily acquire.”
Nida took the initiative to discuss Amna’s mounting demands with her teachers, who revealed that a class survey showed Amna owned the highest number of shoes. “Her class teacher asked the students how many pairs of shoes they owned, and Amna had the most,” said Nida with a hint of relief. The specific sneaker she coveted cost more than Dh700, but the realization that she already had the most shoes in her class prompted Amna to reconsider her escalating requests.
Gaming console
After being invited to a classmate’s birthday party, nine-year-old Gabrial Kiwan found himself enamored with the PlayStation he encountered there. “He kept asking to visit his friend’s house after that,” said Elijah, Gabrial’s father, bewildered by his son’s newfound obsession. “At first, I didn’t understand why.”
After discussing it with the friend’s parents, Elijah discovered that the boys spent hours engrossed in video games. A few days later, Gabrial began pleading for his own PlayStation, a gaming console priced around Dh2,000. “He insisted that all his friends had it and they were always chatting about the newest games,” recalled Elijah, feeling the weight of the situation.
While Elijah initially hesitated to grant his son’s wish, he soon realized the overwhelming pressure his son felt to fit in with his peers. “It’s not just the console. You have to buy games and accessories, which all add up monthly,” Elijah explained, noting the escalating costs. “Peer pressure is becoming more expensive than we ever imagined. Sometimes our budget crosses over Dh3,000 a month because of the demands,” he added with a sigh of resignation.
Financial strain on families
Numerous parents are confronting similar dilemmas, striving to balance their children’s social and emotional needs against the rising financial burden. “Peer pressure is a constant struggle,” Nida shared, highlighting that it’s not limited to gadgets or clothing, but also encompasses experiences like numerous school trips and various after-school activities.
Families report spending significantly more than they had initially budgeted in a bid to ensure their children don’t feel excluded from their social circles. This financial strain has resulted in many parents reassessing their household budgets. “We are spending way more than we planned, just to make sure our kids don’t feel left out,” Nida stated, highlighting the challenges in today’s consumer-driven society.
SM Ayaz Zakir
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
What are the emotional impacts on children when they feel left out due to not having the latest gadgets?
**Interview with Saeed Amr, father of 14-year-old Muhammed Amr**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Saeed. Your son, Muhammed, recently asked you for the latest iPhone 16, and it sounds like this has become quite a significant issue for your family. Can you share your initial reaction to that request?
**Saeed Amr:** Thank you for having me. To be honest, I was taken aback. When Muhammed first asked for the iPhone 16, I thought he was joking. He already had a decent smartphone, and I couldn’t understand why he needed such an expensive gadget.
**Interviewer:** It must have been a surprise to see his desire for the latest technology. How did that conversation evolve?
**Saeed Amr:** After my initial shock, I asked him again if he was serious. He then opened up about how his friends had new iPhones and how left out he felt. It was difficult to hear that he felt isolated among his peers due to something as material as a phone.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like peer pressure played a big role in this situation. How did you respond to his feelings of exclusion?
**Saeed Amr:** It was tough. We strive to teach him the value of money, but as a parent, you want your child to fit in and not suffer socially. Eventually, I decided to buy him the iPhone 16, but it was a difficult decision financially. I wasn’t prepared for that sudden expense of Dh5,200, but we didn’t want him to feel ostracized.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be a broader issue with children feeling the need to keep up with their peers. Have you seen a change in your son’s behavior after getting the phone?
**Saeed Amr:** Yes, absolutely. His requests quickly turned into demands for other gadgets, like earphones. It became clear to me that this was not just about the phone but about a deeper need to belong. After the phone, he started asking for more things, and that’s when I had to put my foot down and say enough is enough.
**Interviewer:** That’s a relatable struggle for many parents. Have you noticed similar pressures among other parents or children in your community?
**Saeed Amr:** Definitely. I’ve spoken with other parents who also feel the pressure to spend heavily on the latest trends to avoid their kids feeling left behind. We often discuss the financial strain it puts on us, and it’s not just limited to gadgets; it extends to clothes and other accessories as well.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Saeed. It’s evident that trying to strike a balance between supporting your child and managing financial expectations can be quite challenging. What would be your advice to other parents facing similar situations?
**Saeed Amr:** I would advise parents to have open conversations with their children about the value of money and the importance of self-worth beyond material possessions. Setting boundaries is essential, and communication plays a huge role in helping our kids understand that they can be content without always having the latest things.
**Interviewer:** Wise words, Saeed. Thank you for your time and for sharing your story with us.
**Saeed Amr:** Thank you for having me.
