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A deep prognosis of contemporary societies reveals a yawning deficit in the socio-cultural milieu as it pertains to core values and norms of morality. It must be appreciated that the responsibility of the human community in ensuring propagation and regeneration of its kind, is not limited to mere mundane breeding but impose burden of providing sustainable functional socio-cultural values that are trans-generational.
It is imperative to stress that national and global concerns are magnifications of micro interplays of human activities at the family, community and national levels. The problems of the globe are mere magnifications of deficiencies prevalent but ignored at these micro levels.
Today, the legacy inherited by emerging generations of Africa is fraught with definite perils. Indeed, the rising challenges and seemingly intractable problems dotting the African landscape are dire consequences of the unpardonable failure of the older generation. The corruption of essential foundation of our culture, ethical values and norms has been largely responsible for our current state of high immorality, social decadence, economic and political bankruptcy.
Up to the early years of post-colonial Africa, institutional frames for viable social advancement exploited existing conducive atmosphere for moral and intellectual building. Apart from the observance of ethos of courtesy, honesty, integrity, contentment and high sense of responsibility (individually and collectively) which is fundamentally basic to native Africa, there were various opportunities for educational growth in form of scholarship and foreign financial aids for the gifted but less privileged. A large proportion of Pan-African nationalists whose struggles yielded independence for most African countries were pioneer beneficiaries of such privileges. Nature, in its native wisdom ensures replenishment of her resources (material and otherwise) not only through propagation of its kit and kin through procreation but equally through evolution of cultural and moral values. Some scholars assert that, "...the essence of culture shapes lifestyle like courtesy, friendship, salutation, humility, hospitality, patience, compassion, sensitivity...." The terrifying upsurge in crime, ethnic conflicts and violence in our societies today are repercussion of the prolonged neglect of parent generations who have failed in their natural responsibilities to guard their native heritage of traditional norms and values. The pervasive indulgence in self-adulation and material aggradisement had completely submerged their altruistic and collective sense of vision.
The family unit, undisputedly stands out as the bedrock of any nation, developed or developing and defects at this micro level are simply amplified to national proportions. If is true that "a tree is recognized by the fruits it bears", it is equally logical to conclude that a conscienceless person is a product of like-parents and also comparable to the illustration of the 'potter who moulds the clay'. Assassins, armed robbers, riotous students are, by and large, products of their various homes. While it may not be entirely true to conclude that some parents are actual perpetrators themselves, it could be argued that most parents, to a large extent, are guilty of unpardonable acts of irresponsibility. It could also be appreciated that economic pressures on parents and the need for preservation of social relevance and status is tantamount to inadequate parenting. The emotional, psychological and moral deficiencies of delinquent youths can be traced to their cradles since culture is an endowment inherited at the inception of life. The foundation for a dynamic, articulate and motivated youth population is laid during the years of childhood. As children and youths move beyond their families into the worlds of peers and communities, their life choices and identities may differ as a function of their perceptions of opportunities and risks.
Emerging confusion on the sanctity of social values and norms and the burden of conflicting and multiplicity of cultures have become major challenges of contemporary societies. There is no gainsaying that companionship and harmonious social interaction are inimical to man’s existence and are ingredients to an integrated social system. According to Baldwin (1892), "Moral laws regulate the moral universe just as physical laws regulate physical universe". Culture, in any given society, should evolve with the people, dropping along the way (as the social structure evolve), old and irrelevant elements while at the same time acquiring new contents and forms. In essence, the culture of a people should dynamically appreciate overtime, making provision for generational relevance. Culture should be a spring well of developmental initiatives. The core essence of cultural values, systems and institution is to advance the development of a society in all ramifications. Only when this is done are we assured of profound, peculiar and sustainable growth through identifying relevant approaches. To achieve this, African countries require significant reorientation of individual and collective goals, which will generate profound attitudinal and behavioural transformations. This becomes vital in the face of globalisation which has led to increased awareness of differences and similarities both within and across cultures and has intensified the search for new models of living.
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Femi Johnson
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