MORAL DEGENERATION IN MODERN AFRICAN SOCIETY AND SCHOOLS
Modern South African society and the continent at large are plagued and encounter experiences of moral decline. Moral degeneration is a universal phenomenon which does not only negatively affect the society but also foster serious moral breakdown. It is acknowledged that the essence of morality entails knowing good and bad, right and wrong human behaviour. However, there is a lack of relay of moral values in family systems in determining what is expected from an individual’s immediate life cycle. Straughan (1998:1; Pillay in De Wet 2003b;168; De Klerk and Rens 2003:359 and Mokgalabone 1999:55) views that modern African society tends to become increasingly more unstable, aggressive, lawless, …show more content…
Adults within the society consciously and unconsciously convey their preferences, views and values to their children. Home is regarded as the first and best environment where morality and moral values are passed on. But in most Africa societies, there is a vulnerability that hampers parent-child intimacy in educating the child what is socially accepted and treated as a norm. The absence of parents or guardians as role models in child upbringing often resulted in children being readily absorbent and driven by the influences of external environments.
The society like in the present African contexts is highly impacted by various contemporary crisis. The influence of Western secular culture is somehow responsible for changing Africans from being initially community-centered to ego-centrism ( Mwikamba 1992:86). Consequently, the implementation of Western traditions promoted materialism and consumerism which effectively eroded traditional and Christianist …show more content…
Demonstration of parental guidance and instillation of values and morals to their children is a very important practice to discourage moral degeneration. Elders, more especially parents and teachers, should practise what they preach. Consistency should be the key when imparting values to children, the opposite will lead to confusion and inability to distinguish between good and bad. According to the Constitution of Republic of South Africa (1996)ntroduction and implementation of making teaching of moral values part of the curriculum at schools is recommended; and must be brought to life in didactic initiatives regardless of learners’ cultural and religious
Modern South African society and the continent at large are plagued and encounter experiences of moral decline. Moral degeneration is a universal phenomenon which does not only negatively affect the society but also foster serious moral breakdown. It is acknowledged that the essence of morality entails knowing good and bad, right and wrong human behaviour. However, there is a lack of relay of moral values in family systems in determining what is expected from an individual’s immediate life cycle. Straughan (1998:1; Pillay in De Wet 2003b;168; De Klerk and Rens 2003:359 and Mokgalabone 1999:55) views that modern African society tends to become increasingly more unstable, aggressive, lawless, …show more content…
Adults within the society consciously and unconsciously convey their preferences, views and values to their children. Home is regarded as the first and best environment where morality and moral values are passed on. But in most Africa societies, there is a vulnerability that hampers parent-child intimacy in educating the child what is socially accepted and treated as a norm. The absence of parents or guardians as role models in child upbringing often resulted in children being readily absorbent and driven by the influences of external environments.
The society like in the present African contexts is highly impacted by various contemporary crisis. The influence of Western secular culture is somehow responsible for changing Africans from being initially community-centered to ego-centrism ( Mwikamba 1992:86). Consequently, the implementation of Western traditions promoted materialism and consumerism which effectively eroded traditional and Christianist …show more content…
Demonstration of parental guidance and instillation of values and morals to their children is a very important practice to discourage moral degeneration. Elders, more especially parents and teachers, should practise what they preach. Consistency should be the key when imparting values to children, the opposite will lead to confusion and inability to distinguish between good and bad. According to the Constitution of Republic of South Africa (1996)ntroduction and implementation of making teaching of moral values part of the curriculum at schools is recommended; and must be brought to life in didactic initiatives regardless of learners’ cultural and religious