Effects of Modernization on Youths’ Morality: A Case of Karuri Catholic Parish, Kenya

Abstract

It is evident in the present times in Kenyan society moral decadence among the youth is fast becoming the norm and sadly pointing to waning of the highly desired moral values. The patterns of behavior among the youth reveal morality level is at an all-time low; long regarded as a consequent factor of modernization. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the effect of modernization on moral values taught to young people in Karũri Catholic Parish. To achieve this, the study engages qualitative research and employs questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and review of prior literature to gather the relevant data. A sample of 115 respondents were selected comprising two elders, three priests and two family experts selected purposively and 40 mothers, 36 fathers and 34 youths selected using the snow balling sampling method. The findings confirm that modernization, through mediums such as social media and urbanization have provided new opportunities and structures which negatively influence the inculcating of moral values into young people, and as such society has lost most of its rich cultural ideals which characterized the Agĩkũyũ youth in the past. Despite most youth generally appreciating the importance values have in their lives, a number hold the notion some moral values which in earlier periods gave meaning to human life are less important. The study establishes an urgent need to fill the gap created by the changed structures of inculcating values for the purpose of healing the shaky family foundation aggravated by youths' failure to fully understand the principles of being morally right and calls for the work of redeeming the lost youth to intensify.

Mannerisms of Millennials – A Cross Generational Perception

“…Cybulski et al (2013) confirms this in study which found that most elderly people had negative perception towards the young people in terms of kindness, respect, trust, honesty and understanding of the elderly's needs. These findings also show the expectations that the older generation have of the millennials and claim that this phenomenon could be contributed by modernisation which has resulted in changing the family values of young people (Wachege & Rũgendo, 2017) as well as decadence of religious practices among Muslims (Menhas et al, 2015).…”

“…This study contends that negative influence of social media is blamed for providing information that erodes traditional ideals and moral values. As most parents are both working, less time spent with children may be another cause for this problem (Wachege & Rũgendo, 2017). Another study added that modernisation has led to a decadence of religious practices among Muslims in Pakistan and resulted in individualism, loss of faith and belief as well as lack of respect for elders and young ladies' politeness (Menhas, Umer, Akhtar, & Shabbir, 2015).…”

Elderly Perceptions Regarding Changes in the Parent-Child Relationship in the Modern Era: A Case of Coast Region, Tanzania

“…Ojua, Lukpata and Atama (2014) reported that the western media has made the acculturation of westernization in Nigerian societies. Another study by Wachege and Rugendo (2018) in Kenya confirmed that modernization, through social media has provided new opportunities and structures which negatively influence the inculcation of moral values into adult children. In addition, a study by Qamar,Nadeem, Khaliq & Ijaz (2020) in Pakistan revealed that as part of modernization, uncontrolled exposure to the internet, television, movies and video games seemed to increase drug abuse, violence and related vices.…”

Mannerisms of Millennials: Why are they different?

“…Research by Wachege and Rugendo (2017) on youth morality in Kenya found that modernisation did impact family values among the young, where individualism, new attitudes, beliefs, and lifestyles have become a norm. A Pakistani study stated that rapid modernisation is to be blamed for the deterioration of religious practices among young people giving way to individualism, lack of religious faith and belief, and an attitude of disrespect for elders (Menhas, Umer, Akhtar & Shabbir, 2015).…”