My laptop is almost dead, but the charger is over there.  My fridge is full, but there’s nothing I want.  I was given a Frappuccino instead of a cappuccino at Starbucks.

If these are the problems that are thought of when “first world problems” are mentioned, then real problems of those who live outside of the first world are diminished. The problems of people who live in first world countries should not be compared with the problems of those who live in third world countries because the former’s problems are seen as less important.

I’m not saying that a person’s depression is worse than a child not having access to clean drinking water, but when the problems of one society are compared to those of another than it becomes frowned upon in one society to ever complain.

When the problems of one individual or group are compared to the problems of another individual or group, one set loses importance.  Comparing difficulties is wrong because to one person, his/her problem is just as serious as another’s.

Judging people for the problems that they experience or do not experience is wrong.  Those in the first world are not responsible for the problems of those in the third world.  Most people in first world countries did not choose to live where they do, just as most people in third world countries did not choose to live where they do.

Judging those in the first world for their “trivial” problems is like judging a younger generation.  For instance, teens are judged by young adults, young adults by adults, and adults by the elderly.  The problems of one group will always be considered small by the older because they’ve already experienced them and survived them.  But that doesn’t make the problems of the younger generation less important.

The problems that we as individuals experience shouldn’t be diminished by the problems of our neighbors.  The problems that we experience are difficult for us, even if another’s problem may be judged “more important.”  A problem is a problem no matter how small.

Chioma Iheoma is an Opinion Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com