Moral Decadence Among Youth: causes and Solutions.
Introduction:
If there is any topical issue that is rampant and dominates our everyday
intellectual excursion and discussion or creating waves daily in the media, it
is the problem of moral decadence among the youths. In fact, the problem,
which initially was gradual in bites has now, attained the level that can best
be described as the incurable cancer disease, the tentacles of which have
spread into the nooks and crannies of the country.
At times one is at a loss where to begin to recount the numerous hills that
have corroded our great and noble country through the youths. Do we
begin from drug abuse, drug trafficking, robbery, social crimes, sexual
permissiveness of child trafficking? What of the high level of material
pursuit? It is for these reasons that this writes up has set out to take a
critical look at the paramount problem confronting youths in our society
today which is calling for intellectual debarkation and exposition that of
“moral decadence”.
1. Moral Decadence:
To start with, “Moral decadence” in reference to the Oxford Advanced
English Dictionary “Is falling to the low level of sound morality”. Hence,
moral decadence is a situation whereby someone passes from a state of
goodness to a lower state by losing qualities, which are considered normal,
ethical and desirable.
However, going contrary to the norms of the state and the natural law and
order. With this definition, one is never left at a loss about what these
things earlier mentioned meant, but what to do about them by way of
providing the solution. Proffering solution to a problem begging by
identifying the problem and its cause. Generally, youth-hood is expected to
commence immediately and simultaneously with puberty stage, at this
stage both male and female are considered as an adolescent. Biologically,
this period begins between the ages of eleven to fourteen years in female
, and commences perhaps by fourteen years among the males. The stage
brought with it various change on both sexes.
Hence, any habit acquired at this stage has great influence on the person’s
concern, because whatever becomes one habit, turn to one’s personality to
be portrayed through his or her life time. Meaning that those traits are very
difficult to eliminate either by the parent or the person himself.
2. Causes of Moral Decadence
i . The consequence of our past.
Many views abound as to what the causes of the problems are; some
believed that it is the consequence of our past. According to the sage
philosopher especially the civil war of 1967-1970. Others attribute it to the
government take-over of schools as well as the lackadaisical attitudes of
the parents towards the upbringing of their wards, hence, the adage
“Charity begins at home”. To others, it may be connected with the
proliferation of Churches. Whatever the case may be however, no one’s
opinion could be done away with for all the above causes had contributed
to the growth and even increasing wave of moral regeneration of
decadence.
ii. Taking- over of the Schools by the government:
However, the civil war and the government take-over of schools are to be
the major factors that paved way for moral degeneration in our society. The
war rendered so many people homeless and poor. Lots and lots of
undreamed ideas became realistic as only the fittest can survive. Some
women were given to prostitution, many were given to harm rubbery while
others resorted to other clandestine activities.
At the end of the war, people were back to their trade, school site out then
the situation and changed drastically. Students had turned brutes,
disrespectful, incorrigible, and disobedient youths. Anarchy began to reign.
The take-over of school by the government suited the various teachers who
were ready to sacrifice their teaching profession for private business. The
school then started to decay for want of care.
Introduction:
If there is any topical issue that is rampant and dominates our everyday
intellectual excursion and discussion or creating waves daily in the media, it
is the problem of moral decadence among the youths. In fact, the problem,
which initially was gradual in bites has now, attained the level that can best
be described as the incurable cancer disease, the tentacles of which have
spread into the nooks and crannies of the country.
At times one is at a loss where to begin to recount the numerous hills that
have corroded our great and noble country through the youths. Do we
begin from drug abuse, drug trafficking, robbery, social crimes, sexual
permissiveness of child trafficking? What of the high level of material
pursuit? It is for these reasons that this writes up has set out to take a
critical look at the paramount problem confronting youths in our society
today which is calling for intellectual debarkation and exposition that of
“moral decadence”.
1. Moral Decadence:
To start with, “Moral decadence” in reference to the Oxford Advanced
English Dictionary “Is falling to the low level of sound morality”. Hence,
moral decadence is a situation whereby someone passes from a state of
goodness to a lower state by losing qualities, which are considered normal,
ethical and desirable.
However, going contrary to the norms of the state and the natural law and
order. With this definition, one is never left at a loss about what these
things earlier mentioned meant, but what to do about them by way of
providing the solution. Proffering solution to a problem begging by
identifying the problem and its cause. Generally, youth-hood is expected to
commence immediately and simultaneously with puberty stage, at this
stage both male and female are considered as an adolescent. Biologically,
this period begins between the ages of eleven to fourteen years in female
, and commences perhaps by fourteen years among the males. The stage
brought with it various change on both sexes.
Hence, any habit acquired at this stage has great influence on the person’s
concern, because whatever becomes one habit, turn to one’s personality to
be portrayed through his or her life time. Meaning that those traits are very
difficult to eliminate either by the parent or the person himself.
2. Causes of Moral Decadence
i . The consequence of our past.
Many views abound as to what the causes of the problems are; some
believed that it is the consequence of our past. According to the sage
philosopher especially the civil war of 1967-1970. Others attribute it to the
government take-over of schools as well as the lackadaisical attitudes of
the parents towards the upbringing of their wards, hence, the adage
“Charity begins at home”. To others, it may be connected with the
proliferation of Churches. Whatever the case may be however, no one’s
opinion could be done away with for all the above causes had contributed
to the growth and even increasing wave of moral regeneration of
decadence.
ii. Taking- over of the Schools by the government:
However, the civil war and the government take-over of schools are to be
the major factors that paved way for moral degeneration in our society. The
war rendered so many people homeless and poor. Lots and lots of
undreamed ideas became realistic as only the fittest can survive. Some
women were given to prostitution, many were given to harm rubbery while
others resorted to other clandestine activities.
At the end of the war, people were back to their trade, school site out then
the situation and changed drastically. Students had turned brutes,
disrespectful, incorrigible, and disobedient youths. Anarchy began to reign.
The take-over of school by the government suited the various teachers who
were ready to sacrifice their teaching profession for private business. The
school then started to decay for want of care.
