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The world we live in is constantly changing, and these
changes are often seen as progress. However, these changes have also brought
new problems that affect both the young and old. Old values have lost their
significance, while new ones are accepted with reluctance. Social life has
become more complex, and new social problems have emerged. The pace of
change has been so rapid that many people find themselves in a state of
flux.
The head of the family, who used to enjoy a position of importance at home,
now finds that much of that has diminished. He must respect the views of
others at home and recognize their attitudes and manners. Reason has
replaced tradition and obligations to a large extent. He can no longer
impose his will on others, and when his conservatism gets the better of him,
he feels ignored and dejected. This loss of position and importance can have
negative psychological consequences.
Older people must also change their attitude towards jobs. They find that in
the rat race, they must learn and equip themselves with necessary skills if
they want to compete. The experience they have gained at a particular job is
no longer enough to guarantee security and promotion. They must compete with
those equipped with new knowledge and expertise.
The old must accept changed values, as values prescribe certain principles
of personal and corporate conduct. As society changes, values change, and
this means that morality changes as well. However, the basic values of the
present generation are not different from those of earlier generations.
Corruption cannot be justified on the grounds of changed values. But our
attitudes towards elders, jobs, and family have changed, and the old find it
difficult to accept them. With the disappearance of the extended family
system, the old family ties and pre-eminence of the oldest members have
diminished, and the old are often left in the homes of the aged. They find
it difficult to reconcile themselves to this situation, feeling that the
young do not understand or appreciate their values and attitudes.
Young people today experience problems that were unheard of in the past.
They are often branded as a generation with no respect for anyone. The
information they have gathered about growing up makes them more aware of
their problems, and they demand sympathy and understanding. To them, their
problems are genuine, but the old ignore them. In their search for solace
and comfort, they value the company of their peer-group more than the
affection of parents, which is often not demonstrated. Conflict can arise at
home, with parents enforcing discipline and children asserting their
independence.
The undue importance given to material wealth makes parents search for it at
the expense of their parental obligations. Money becomes an obsession, and
children are left uncared for. Parental attention and affection are crucial
in developing well-adjusted individuals. Without them, children despair and
are apt to develop anti-social habits. Parents often desire their children
to accomplish ambitions beyond their ability, and when their attempts are
thwarted, both the parents and children feel frustrated.
We are living in a fast-changing world, and the developments of the last
three decades or so have transformed traditional life patterns. The rapid
pace of this transformation requires people to be adaptable, and this need
for adaptation creates problems for both the old and the young. |
