November is Filipino Values Month that centers on the critical and responsible use of technology to ensure the development of interactive communication, interpersonal relations, personal and family, social and civic responsibility.
The use of technology has tremendously lessened the person-to-person interaction, like the parents and children dealings. And so some parents would resort to “entering” into the virtual world of their children just for them to communicate. It is a kind of platform devoid of direct contact because of its intrusive go-between the electronic device.
Technology has not only shaped the way our young live and work, but also created a whole new set of beliefs, fears, and aspirations. These values, in turn, will affect their approach to the global challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It cannot be helped but picture out opposing scenarios, the before and now where youth before were conservative and reserved. Today’s youth, as they say, strongly influenced by new technology, are becoming undisciplined with low morals.
Additionally, the values of today’s youth differ very much from those of the older generation as they are affected by peer pressure, the misguidance of parents, and family crises, leading to their inappropriate behavior. The youth of older generations were diligent and family-oriented; now, a lot of the old values have been destroyed. Many of today’s problematic youths point to family problems. However, a lot of these can be prevented if, and only if, we are aware of what’s happening in our society.
Character, as a natural process of adaptation, is learned through education, experience and personal choices. Researchers have found that it is definitely not hereditary and has nothing to do with genetics, but rather with the upbringing and environment in which the child is raised.
Moral learning occurs during the early formative years of life. During this time, most children are involved primarily with a family unit and with friends.
It is how people see things that are changing. Ultimately, technology brings out the good and bad in everything. People nowadays have more access to basic information. What was once taboo may not be forbidden now. At any rate, values never change but people do.
I once heard of a familiar story of a very conceited university freshman who took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen standing next to him that it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation. “You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one,” the student said, loud enough for the other passengers nearby to hear. “The young people of today grew up with cable television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing and …” When he paused for breath, the senior took advantage of the break in the student’s litany and said, “You’re right, son. We didn’t have those things when we were young, so we invented them. So now, what are you doing for the next generation?”
It is a very challenging feat but I still believe that older generation or those ahead of them will provide the necessary lessons not only in words but in deeds, for the present generation so they can think and do not only for themselves but for others, now and in the future.