INTRODUCTION
Cultural values play an active role in every human’s life which is defined in varied ways in different parts of the world. These values can be understood as particular standards that define any course of action as acceptable or unacceptable, right or wrong within society. These values bind a person within various courses of action because of which a human decides beforehand to do any action or not (Andaya & Andaya, 2016). However, as per the current scenario, it has been witnessed that with various kinds of advancements within any country, people of society tend to become more opulent. In this setting, the noble values, morals, and spirit of society often tend to reduce. The extinction of these values within different nations is due to several reasons which must be understood and tried to be recovered.
In Malaysia, the lack of practice of Malaysian values and the spirit of being a good citizen is a recent issue that is more common among the young generation. The reason behind this set-up is various challenges for which it is essential to implement some concrete practices. The major reasons can be enlisted as greater westernization in culture, reduced attention of families towards children, lesser education related to citizenship values, etc. (Merriam & Muhamad, 2013).
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Decreasing citizenship Cultural values in Malaysia
In the current scenario, there is a greater influence of western countries over lots of nations which has impacted the culture and values of these places. Malaysia is also not an exception in this case. Within the country, there can be seen numerous things that are based on westernized affects both the organization and its employees. The effects of culture. Clothing, accessories, languages, TV shows, products, and services, and many more things are western cultures. There are many schools of international standards where, languages like Spanish, English, and French are given more importance than the mother tongue of Malaysia like Mandarin or Malay. Students have also developed more interest in these languages and foreign cultures as they are seeing more scope towards this (Teik, 2014). Many TV shows and entertainment channels showing western shows have also played an active role in encouraging closeness with foreign values. These have posed a challenge among Malaysian citizens to save their identity as an individual.
The younger generation is more prone to this situation as they are the future of their country and they are not aware of their very own culture and values. Besides this, the young generation comes across these products and services more often owing to which the impact is also greater. In such a situation, it is significant to grow understanding about values and morals since childhood among them. For an instance, in Hindus, the cow is considered to be the mother and should not be slaughtered for any purpose. This may be deemed as a cultural value or a custom that is very strongly believed by every Hindu because of which they will accept to die from starving rather than slaughtering a cow for eating. This makes it clear that properly developed humans from centuries back as early as the 14th century. It has been a backbone of cultures and values among people always help them to bind with the right action. Further, it is also quite useful for making a person responsible and a good citizen (Juhdi, Pa’wan & Hansaram, 2013).
From various studies and observations, it is also witnessed frequently that increasing the trend of competition within the market is also one of the reasons behind it. Most of the parents are not able to manage the household spending alone therefore both of them start making money. While on other hand, many parents are very much career-oriented that they always give higher priority to the job. In such a scenario, children are generally left on their own and they are not paid enough attention when they need it. Therefore, they do not have a good understanding of the right values and spirit towards their nation. This gradually has resulted in ignorance among youngsters towards Malaysian social infrastructure improvement like healthcare institutions, libraries, and schools. Furthermore, if the local culture (Rahman & Khambali, 2013). They are not prioritizing said exist sub cultural lifestyles that are rooted in level of education and personal characteristics that govern behavior. The culture and values which might result in the loss of true Malaysian values. This situation can be very perilous and need to be improved to encourage youths to retain their international marketing and could definitely affect the process of marketing adversely. The constraint of language and culture and spirit.
This situation also states that school education is not really enough for children in cultivating social values. Their home is the first place of education where parents are responsible for growing this understanding among them. A strong family institution is vital to make children realize that they have some responsibility towards their nation, and they are responsible for keeping it alive for years (Ahmad, Rahim & Seman, 2013). In the case of Malaysia, it is mandatory to understand that with economic development, they have to make the right balance of moral values as well to retain and save their own culture. Youths are getting more inclined towards social ills like bullying, rules breaking, not respecting old ones, lack of courtesy, etc. Therefore, this situation states that countries should start thinking about it seriously.
Lack of Patriotism
Another challenge for Malaysia is the lack of patriotism among citizens. It is worth mentioning that patriotism is a significant fact which shapes society (Mohamed Yunos, Ismail & Smith, 2012). The history of Malaysia is quite rich and infers the struggle faced by people for making it a free and independent nation. The development of a country can be expected only if it is progressed in all of its spheres. For instance, from the studies, it is found that most of the population born after the independence of Malaysia is anti-patriotic. This idea shows less sense of patriotism among the young generation that requires to be improved. In Malaysia, people belonging to varied law is normally enforced. One can see the reasons for the difference in deviance between cultures, races, and customs are dwelling. Hence, added efforts are required to enhance patriotism among them. The imbalance in relations based on race and ethnicity is a major threat that impedes the level of patriotism within citizens (Grapragasem, Krishnan & Mansor, 2014).
To mitigate the above-mentioned challenges related to patriotism, the education system may play an active role. The higher education institutions must emphasize ethnic relations. Many students do not make greater interaction with other fellow students as they differ in ethnicity and religion. Therefore, the entire society needs to be developed which comprises people belonging to different castes and races. So, the practice related to patriotism must be focused on economic, political well as social, and cultural atmospheres (Chua, 2012). After getting liberty, the concerned people made many efforts to put in more value for developing the country on an overall basis. These values must be inculcated within children as well as among young generations so that they can have a feeling of pride in their country.
Another suggestion includes making stress on using other languages to keep in touch with the motherland. In the present case, the major challenge is posed in the form of greater individualism among the young generation where youths put their individual interest higher over national interest. As a result, they keep on searching for better alternatives in all aspects. From the western culture, they have found more fascinating spheres by learning many foreign languages (Asnawi, Gravell & Wills, 2012). In such a scenario, they completely ignore their mother language which is found in the research that the use of Malay language is reducing day by day as compared to foreign languages. From the studies, it has been discovered that language plays a critical role in accelerating harmony among people. Thus, encouraging the use of national language among people will definitely aid in getting objective accomplished.
Other causes of reducing moral values
There are some scientific grounds as well which can be blamed for the discussed situations among teenagers. From the studies, it is revealed that the development of the brain among teenagers is different from adults. Consequently, youths differ in thinking capacity from adults and sometimes make poor decisions as well (Farooqui & et.al., 2012). Therefore, it is necessary to understand this concept as well and make the process of inculcating moral values and ethos among them in a structured way. They do not have expertise in decision-making skills and therefore they should be given opportunities to develop their capacity within proper guidance. Similarly, there can be some other aspects as well in the same realm of critical setting which must be given apt thought.
The influence of parents among children is likely to have a large impact on many of their activities. The skill of making decisions, behavior, attitudes, and perceptions of teenagers may have great similarities with their parents (Habidin & et.al., 2014). As a result, the parents must be aware of the very beginning of this fact to behave accordingly. They must strive to create a favorable environment for their children with a greater number of positive elements. The values and spirit that are grown in childhood continue to thrive lifelong. In teenagers, it is common to influence peers on children. With growing age, children come into contact with several persons who become their friends, colleagues, partners, etc. In this condition, they are influenced by them in various ways which may shape their values in further ways. At this time, it is essential to keep a watch over these influences and guide them in the right direction (Zakaria, Samad & Shafii, 2012).
In current conditions, the influence of the press and media has also accelerated. It is quite obvious that children learn from their observations a lot. As a result, if they do not have a good role model, may towards arts in the wrong direction. In the present time, celebrities and TV shows telecasts on various channels are is viewed by many teenage populations. Consequently, they try to imitate their behavior and lifestyles to look like them. If their choice is not good in this setting, it may become a major concern. Therefore, parents must pay attention to the actions of their children and be a good guide. Parents must also exercise noble values and education within their daily lives in front of their children so that they can also learn by observing them (Tohit, Browning & Radermacher, 2012).
The platform of social media is currently playing a significant role in shaping the culture and values of many countries. Social mediaallowing exchanging different cultures, values, languages, and many more aspects. However, this phenomenon is acceptable until it is for knowledge purposes or for satisfying curiosities. While, the fact is teenagers are becoming more oriented towards social media sites and have a deeper influence (Cairns, Gardner & Lawton, 2013). They have created their own world around it and have started living in this very own place ignoring real facts and specifics. In such a scenario, it is recommendable for parents to interfere and make their children aware of the good and bad of their usage on social media platforms.
A rare cause of this increasing concern related to a lack of moral values and spirit can be mental health. Many teenagers are nowadays suffering from some disorders which are the reason for their inability of showing empathy towards others (Mohamad & et.al., 2012). Besides this, they lack courtesy and make poor choices more often. However, this condition is rare but parents need to be aware of this situation to know the reason behind the unexpected behavior of children. Such mental disorders must be treated by only professionals for better results and the right treatment.
In the case of Malaysia, the above-stated reasons and challenges are quite applicable which is supported by many types of research and studies observed by many scholars. From these studies, the major reasons behind diminishing cultural values and spirit have been found out (Asnawi, Gravell & Wills, 2012). For mitigating these situations, there can be several possible solutions that are required to be implemented in a structured way.
Possible solutions
The causes stated for the decrease in the practice of Malaysian values and spirit especially the young generation are very common in many other countries as well. The primary step towards this must be started by the parents. As per the current scenario, they ought to understand that creating a strong base for their children is crucial. Developing moral education and making them aware of noble values, courtesy, and spirit for their nation should be taught in childhood. The parents who are doing jobs must also realize that paying attention to their children is also a compulsory aspect that must not be ignored. Today’s teenagers are very advanced and have the potential to learn things faster (Salleh & et.al. 2014). Also, they are influenced easily by negative aspects which makes it quite essential to keep them on the watch. They are also required to be guided regularly to keep them on track.
Usually, at the time teenagers, they do not have a very good skill in making choices so they may not show much interest in learning values and spirit. Therefore, they are needed to be handled with patience and give more information about learning these things and their importance for them. As mentioned above about decreasing trend of using the mother language is also making them isolated from required values and humans from centuries back as early as 14th century. It has been a backbone of cultures (Teik, 2014). Therefore, they must be encouraged to learn foreign languages for knowledge and enhancing their skills but that should not be done by ignoring the importance of learning their own language. This can be a small but strong step towards conserving the noble values and spirit among the young generation. Along with this, they must be made aware of historical education. Malaysian history has stories of struggle and sacrifices which must be in knowledge of the teenagers so that they can learn to respect their liberty. In addition to this, it has been pointed out that interaction among students is less as everyone belongs to different ethnicity or culture. The tutors may also help in this regard by persuading populations are the students and the staff of Miami Dade School. Emphasis will be placed on the students to interact more and make a good bonding (Juhdi, Pa’wan & Hansaram, 2013). In this way, they can also learn to respect their own culture as well as others. Moreover, courtesy and noble values can also be inculcated easily.
Lastly, the major attention should be made from childhood by giving more time and care by parents to spend their time teaching those required values and culture towards their nation. Moreover, making them conscious of various social media and role models is also a work of responsibility so that they can start with making the right choices. The family institutions, as well as the education system, should make combined efforts to make the young generation, a responsible and valued citizen (Ahmad, Rahim & Seman, 2013).
CONCLUSION
The present essay is based on a contemporary to that which is common for almost every country. In the present essay, a discussion is made over reducing noble values and spirit mainly in the young generation of Malaysia. As per this, the effort has been made to understand the importance of these values for citizens and countries. Accordingly, the challenges that are posed in present situations have been enlisted which highlights some of the common reasons behind it. The chief ones are increasing westernization, lack of patriotism, and lesser attention of parents on their children. From the studies, it is discovered that there is a lack of courtesy as well where there is no place of thanks and please among children. However, it is the question more of how everyone treats others regardless of their religion, ethnicity, and other differences (Grapragasem, Krishnan, & Mansor, 2014). Therefore, some suggestions have been made which states that family institutions and the education system can play a great role in improving this situation. Children come across with their parents and teachers more often because of which they must be given proper teachings related to what course of action is right or wrong.
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