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Human beings, by nature, have a tendency to be conservative, and
as a result, it is often difficult for them to change quickly. This aspect of
human nature, however, is not altogether bad. In fact, it helps to ensure the
continuity of human race and preserve the unique identity of different cultures
around the world. Customs and traditions are important markers of cultural
identity, and they help us to distinguish one group of people from another. Even
within the European nations, with their relatively low level of tradition-bound
behaviors, there exist distinct customs and manners that enable us to
differentiate between the French, German, Italian, and Spanish people. These
customs and traditions are shaped by a variety of historical, geographical, and
ethnical factors.
However, with the advance of science and technology, many of
these customs and traditions have begun to fade away. People are able to
interact and mix with one another more easily, leading to the universalization
of customs and traditions. For instance, the expression "thank you" is
understood throughout the English-speaking world, but in other cultures, the
expression of gratitude may require a different phrasing.
Despite the growth of science and technology, customs and
traditions persist in many parts of the world. It is often difficult to
completely eradicate them, as they provide a sense of belonging and identity to
a group of people. This can be seen in the customs surrounding marriage, which
can differ greatly between different cultures, to the point of being meaningless
or even considered silly by outsiders.
However, there are certain customs and traditions that can have
a negative effect on the health and welfare of people. There are still people in
the world who believe that smallpox is caused by evil deities or forces, and as
a result, they refuse to be vaccinated. Some people believe that their food can
become polluted if someone looks at it, and so they may choose to starve
themselves while traveling on a train. Others may willingly draw water from a
dirty river or canal for drinking, while ignoring the clean water from a tap
because others are also using it. Some people keep their sick family members in
dark, ill-ventilated rooms, unaware of the importance of fresh air for their
recovery. In fact, some may even worsen the situation by keeping an oil lamp
burning in the room and closing the windows, not realizing that the burning lamp
will consume the oxygen available in the room.
The disposal of waste and garbage is another area where
traditional practices can have detrimental effects on the environment and
people's health. Many people still dispose of their waste and garbage in ways
that are careless and unsanitary, often by dumping them near their houses, where
rodents and flies can multiply. Even among the so-called educated classes,
traditional customs may still persist, leading them to ignore basic hygiene
principles.
Not all customs and traditions are harmful or detrimental to
progress, however. Those that cannot stand up to scientific scrutiny should be
discarded, while those that contribute to a sense of identity and belonging can
be retained, with appropriate modifications to ensure that they do not have
negative consequences on people's health and welfare. |
