How modernization influence the youth?

by UTROS in Philippines

“Modernization, socialization, and progression doesn’t alter nor permit discarding the morals and the laws one should abide themselves too.” ― Avra Amar Filion, The Ellison Effect

December 27, 2018, UTROS in Philippines Inc. invited a young group of people to join in their youth discussion on the influences of today’s modernization in our moral norm. We asked this young group “How modernization influences their way of life and our moral norms?”

A university student named Smile says, “We cannot deny the huge influence of modernization in our lives, like for example in our educational system and there is nothing wrong with that. But from what we observed, it makes not only students lazy but our teachers or professors too. For example, this certain Professor is taking up his master’s degree or advanced studies and he asks us to do a research, later we found out that he basically use our research for his own studies. We were disappointed and felt that it was unfair from our part”.A senior high school student named Em-Em says, “Yes, I feel the same, culture does exists in our school too. In the past, teachers oblige their students to write notes and read books but nowadays, all you need is your smartphones to get a copy of the information you need. Google and YouTube play a vital role in schools nowadays. It’s unfair for those students who don’t have such devices. Sometimes this cause insecurity and anxiety to other students.” Ina, also a senior high school student added “Ethical values in our school were degrading as well. Today, I observed that shaping a good moral character, harnessing, understanding others and discipline is not a priority at all. Most of our teachers don’t care about such things anymore. I do not say that all schools or all teachers do this. What I am saying was based on my experience and observation.” Based on their answers, we see how these younger generations are so vulnerable and are aware of what is happening in our society especially with the influence of modernization in our educational system. We also see how they value education and how important it is for everyone.

Nowadays, our life continues to depend and evolves in modernization which sometimes brings no satisfaction and inequality in our society.The intervention of technologies like computers and mobile phones, the internet and all social media platforms shows how we are connected to each other as if “we live in one space at the same time”. However, it also brings a lot of complications and stress to human life. It consumes most of our time to a point where we tend to forget to appreciate the essence of social and community interaction. Although modernization brings a lot of opportunities and information such as access to inspiring stories of people around the globe, a new way of learning reforms in education, generating income and act as a tool to connect us worldwide. But we also need to acknowledge the negative effects it brings in our lives.

As our life affiliates with the continuous process of innovation which have a profound influence which bring changes and transformations from traditional to modernization in our economy, institution, culture, politics, and beliefs, most especially in human development thus, affecting our environment. We see the necessity and urge to take an action in providing right education and training to people with good moral values and ethics, especially to young people while adapting this system. There is nothing wrong with modernization and we cannot stop it anymore. The challenge here is the people itself, a new way of thinking and the proper way of how people accept and adapt to modernization.Are we using modernization in developing and improving our educational system? Do we also use it to help others?We need to re-analyze the influence of modernization in our lives and work together, support each other to develop talents and guide young people to be more responsible individual in creating sustainable community with the spirit of altruism.