Degeneration of social values

Values are priceless social and human assets. They not only cement scattered crowds into societies but also afford them an identity, direction and a unified purpose. As outcomes of age-old experiences with proven productivity, the values instil a collective sense of purpose for otherwise inherently anarchic human lives. Variations emerging out of different historical and cultural evolutionary tracks notwithstanding, genuine values in all societies aim at the ultimate individual and collective wellbeing.

For long, the humane and naturalist ideals formed the very nucleus of our social landscape. Honesty, integrity, truthfulness, sincerity, altruism, diligence, piety and selflessness were the most cherished societal norms. The sages, saints and virtuous appealed to the public the most and were the centre of social reverence, attention and inspiration.

However, as we race towards materialism, we are leaving behind the righteous ideals courtesy to which we enjoy the epithet of being the crown of the creatures. The lofty principles that have characterised our society for long are being replaced with degenerative cognitive and behavioural tendencies. Human worth, dignity and values are getting blurred and ultimately morphed into pernicious social propositions. Toxic tendencies built on deceptive and self-centric notions are increasingly invading individual identities. Manners and morals are losing lustre. Avaricious and philistine tendencies are increasingly invading social interplay.

The inferno of envy and intolerance is razing selfless and altruistic norms. The scourge of aggression and arrogance is feeding on the very fabric of our society. Politics, religion and faith are turning into profitable enterprises. Systematically created public deprivations, fears, hopes and insecurities are being cashed in on. Rather than idolising simplicity, piety and honesty, we love to befriend corrupt and cunning. We don’t respect philosophers and pious souls as much as we do notoriously prominent and influential thugs. Hypocrisy, sycophancy and duplicity are the most rewarding values of our times.

Financial interests are replacing affectionate values as a cementing force in kinship. Cheap popularity and effortless comfort are the most sought-after pursuits in our lives.

Though most of us might theoretically preach simplicity and humility, we long for lavish life. Most of us wear multiple faces and hypocrisy of the finest type characterises most of our day-to-day activities. Personality is often mistakenly judged by one’s attire and words rather than by a set of cognitive and behavioural interplay. This makes deception commonplace.

Instead of getting derived by logical discourse with definite objectives, we are more than content with fears, insecurities, hopes and half-baked rhetoric that lead us on the road to nowhere. Most parents encourage their children to act deceptive and cunning — considered the signs of intelligence. These toxic tendencies metastasise to the level of their acceptance. Moreover, our complacent attitude towards decaying values is transforming our society into an unruly crowd.

What is killing the core moral values? Mad race to materialism, flawed education, social media obsession and the inability of the agencies of socialisation are behind this social degeneration.

In the wake of the metastasising virulent trends, there is a dire need to reverse this unfortunate trajectory. To this end, overhauling the institutions of socialisation would help serve the purpose. Families need to observe ethical moral values, as children are likely to imitate. Parents should also monitor the peer groups and social media platforms children spend time with. Schools should emphasise moral and ethical principles among the pupils in their truest sense. Media also has the responsibility to promote genuine values. Each individual and institution can help breathe a new life to otherwise suffocating lofty social ideals.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2022.

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