The Haafiz initiative to provide unemployment allowance to all those who were unable to find jobs was intended to support low-income families, help young men and women afford basic necessities, and serve as a temporary financial cushion during their job search. However, some economic analysts were skeptical and feared that this initiative may cause the youth to become dependent, irresponsible, lazy, and less motivated to work. Unfortunately, taking a brief look at the lifestyles of Haafiz recipients proves that –– to a large extent –– the skeptics were right. Consumerism, the desire for luxuries, and an over-indulgence in physical appearances have plagued both men and women receiving Haafiz allowances. Men are spending their Haafiz money on renting expensive cars, latest smartphones, and gifts for their friends and family members. Women are shopping for designer clothes, branded luxury items, cosmetics, and are dining at the most posh restaurants. For many, relying on a steady income without working hard is creating a generation of spendthrifts. Instead of being independent they are being prone to high-end lifestyle without sweating for a dime. The Haafiz allowances are not going to be distributed forever and will cease after one year of each individual signing up for it, which should be plenty of time for men and women to seek employment. So those relying on Haafiz should either change their habits or remain persistent in their job search. Al-Riyadh newspaper conducted an investigative report to find out how and why the Haafiz program has been violated. “The way an individual chooses to spend money can be traced back to his/her upbringing and family environment. Children become accustomed to receiving money and gifts without doing any work in return. Some parents are actually doing a disservice to their children when they immediately meet their child's every whim and desire. Even if a child breaks a perfectly new toy he demands a replacement and convinces his parents to buy him one, and more often than not his parents give in and a new toy is brought home in less than a week's time. As they grow older teenagers develop a carefree and irresponsible attitude toward their personal belongings and monthly allowance, and even college graduates continue to rely on their parents for their needs. And finally, the parents expect the government to do something about their children's unemployment,” Sumaya Al-Bousaad told Al-Riyadh newspaper. Another Saudi citizen, Athaar Abdullah, said: “The way some men and women have responded to Haafiz allowances clearly shows the flaws in teaching and educating the younger generation on money issues. Many of the youth receiving the Haafiz bonus fail to save an amount each month nor do they make any clear plans for starting a small business with the money collected. It seems like their only concern is how to spend the money. I strongly believe that the Ministry of Education should incorporate into the curriculum, programs that help to shift the younger generation's mentality from being consumers to becoming producers and how to pave the way to becoming independent.” “The problem that is contributing to unemployment is that society accepts and approves of young men who dress handsomely, drive fancy cars, and spend loads of money, even though they are out of jobs. This reality is true when a young man proposes to a young lady and her family agrees on the marriage because they admire his physical appearance and elite lifestyle, regardless of where the money is coming from. In their view, as long as he spends generously on their daughter it does not matter if he works hard and earns his money, or if he relies on his wealthy father for money,” complained Ahmad Al-Zahrani. Al-Zahrani further said that our society's traditions and cultural practices are in fact reinforcing and maintaining increasing unemployment rates in the Kingdom, and that is by spending lavishly on our unemployed family members to the extent of practically spoiling them. A young man who does not work will receive generous cash and gifts from his uncle, older brother or father. No one criticizes his consumerist behavior or admonishes him to seriously look for a stable job. “There has to be a point when parents reduce the amount of money they offer their children who are already grown adults, in order to push their youngsters to rely on themselves and hold full-time jobs. The Haafiz initiative was a noble stance by the government and its purpose was to give the unemployed a chance to afford family, educational, and nutritional needs. “Haafiz is meant to ease the transition from unemployment to searching for a job and to finally being employed. Young men and women should not take advantage of Haafiz. Inspections should be conducted to see how Haafiz money is being spent and if any misuse is suspected, the Haafiz allowance should be terminated,” Dr. Abu Bakr Ba Qader, a former sociology professor at the King AbdulAziz University told Al-Riyadh newspaper.
