In some countries women cover their faces and heads in
modesty, while in America revealing clothes seem to be the norm for many modern youth. Both extremes of dress are standards
of conduct that are accepted as normal, but
are exact opposites. In order to judge these different standards of morality,
you can look at the outcomes to know if the results are good. Does it further a
society’s structure, safeguard children and families, yet allow for individual
differences? There is always a conflict between censorship vs. rebellion. This
has gone on for millennia, because of changing society norms.
In some societies, each rising generation wants to make a
statement of being different, more modern than their parents and grandparents.
I remember well the hippie generation
with their tied dyed clothing, free love, drugs, communes, etc. wondering where
it would lead. Nowadays, that seems so long ago and tame to some of today’s
styles: piercings and tattoos that are popular with many youth. Dyed and
extreme haircuts of punkers still
amaze me especially when traveling in European countries where youth look to
America as the example to follow to be in style with the latest fashions. Unknown future rebellions
can only be imagined.
What has happened to innocence, modesty, and MORALITY? Finding your
own style isn’t easy in these days of
instant Internet coverage where extremism entices many into duplicating
misbehavior and activities under the guise of progress, freedom, and self
expression. One student’s suicide or gun violence in a school or movie theatre
leads other adolescents into copy-cat
activities. Tatooing is popular as a way of preserving one’s rebellion
permanently. Until later as an adult, you realize that you want this artistic
decoration removed by painful laser treatments. What became of thinking for
yourself? This positive activity seldom makes the nightly news or Facebook
pages. Too many infants are being born into the lives of irresponsible youths
who don’t take responsibility for the results of their promiscuous lifestyle.
I fear for the future that
my grandchildren are inheriting. Though, I do have faith that many of our youth, brought up in homes with strong
moral values, have the ability to make sense of the modern changing world. Just
as we made our way through the beatniks, hippies and punks to grow up and become responsible adults of modern day with the
example of our parents and grandparents to guide us. NEXT TIME: Lottery
Chances.