India is fast changing, so is its youth. The past few years have seen a complete makeover in the urban youth and the environment they live in. The increase in the number of coffee houses, swanky malls, multiplexes or automobiles display the spending trend of the young Indians. And one of the main factors boosting it, is the growth of the BPO sector in India.
The tremendous growth of Indian call centers in the last few years has resulted in considerable socio-economic and cultural developments in Indian society. There have been both positive and negative impacts of outsourcing on the Indian youth ranging from their lifestyle, personality, career, attitude, gender, and language to their whole identity. This has positively impacted the time, talent and skills of the Indian youth; no doubt, they are reaching their career milestones and financial goals much faster and earlier than before.
Changing scenario:
The increased career options available to the Indian youth have helped them improve their personality, knowledge, become more mature and ready to take different challenges. Since most of the call centers serve the western countries, they are trained in understanding the culture, accent, language and customs of that country. In addition, there are perks of overseas travel to understand customer's business processes.
Since this sector emphasizes on 'thinking out of the box', have analytical and problem-solving skills and most of all working smart, it has helped in increasing the confidence of the youth. There is also a faster vertical growth with team players becoming team leaders within 1-2 years.
One of the key changes brought by the BPO industry is the increased financial independence of today's youth. Considering that on an average a call center employ earns anywhere between Rs 10,000-15,000 and lives with his family, it translates into a higher purchasing power. Also, they can double their income in far shorter time compared to the earlier generation. The higher purchasing power also helps them take care of their families or even influence purchasing decisions of their family.
The impact of consumerism on the financially independent youth is clearly visible. The general trend is to spend eating out, entertainment, buying branded consumer goods or electronics or even buying a car or house. The motto is to 'live life king-size'. The industry experts point out that the companies are launching and marketing products targeted at this section.
However, there are many who are saving and investing in financial securities and real estate. There are many companies that help their employees get financial loans at a low rate.
Impact on Socio-behavior of Indian youth:
The call center industry has a profound impact on the social behavioral patterns of young Indian people and their families. One of the major impacts has been between an individual and his family. The long and odd working hours, and 'too soon and too much' of a responsibility, snacks at work impacts on the mental and health conditions of these people. Many call center employees complain of emotional problems like stress, panic attacks, depression, relationship troubles and even eating disorders. Their working hours also give them hardly anytime to interact with their families or friends and hardly have any physical exercise. There have also been cases where individual's whole personality has changed within six months. All this can have serious impact on their personal lives, especially on their loved ones.
Most of time, the people are either not aware of their problem or are too scared to report it, since it can also mean a loss in their promotion or job. Many also switch jobs thinking it will help, but that is also not a surety.
However, with companies experiencing the high attrition rate and sick leaves, it has prompted them to become more conscious about an individual's physical and the mental health.
Change in social equilibrium:
The BPO sector employs thousands of women every year, providing new and convenient forms of work for women, which helps them take care of their family in better manner. The call centers also prefer women as they are perceived be more hard working, patient, loyal and with better interpersonal skills than men.
Though there are many families who perceive employment in a call center for women a 'taboo' (due to late working hours and wild partying image), this perception is slowly changing. Due to the international secure working atmosphere, higher salaries, gender-neutral (Zero-tolerance for sexual abuse), free pick-up and drop-off facility at home, BPO is viewed as 'the' choice for a majority number of women. It has also meant a much more financial and overall independence of the Indian women. This has helped them have more confidence, a positive attitude and outlook towards life and helped in the overall empowerment of women.
Conclusion
Without doubt, no industry has created so many jobs and sustained so many people like the BPO industry. Despite the negative of industry (mainly rumors of wild parties and antics), one cannot deny the fact that the BPO industry has benefited Indian youth. The educated people churned out by the numerous colleges and universities have at last found a channel to use their talent and education. Thanks to the BPO industry, the hue and cries about large-scale unemployment is rarely heard nowadays.
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