Moral decay, a current threat to society

Have you ever imagined what would have happened if society had no moral values? This question has come to mind after seeing how moral values in society are currently deteriorating.

Moral values are principles that guide individual behaviour and decision-making by being able to distinguish what is right and wrong. The right things include honesty, fairness, equality, integrity, kindness, empathy, and respect for others. 

The principles of moral values start from the early stages of life. Jerry Springer, an American broadcaster, journalist, and politician, once said, “We are all born as empty vessels which can be shaped by moral values; meaning when we are born, we do not have any inherent moral values or beliefs, so we need to be filled with values and beliefs through interacting with others in society.

Parents, family, schools, and the community play a vital role in shaping children from an early age to instill moral values and principles through words and deeds. That will help them grow as respectable members of society. Moral values can come from the individual, family, community, religion, government, or any other entity influencing thoughts.

Every kind of moral value in the shape of cultures, codes, laws, and policies is made to bring order and provide an acceptable code of behaviors that should be followed by society to live in peace and harmony.

Morality is often rooted in fear of God and punishment, but it can be developed naturally and effortlessly without persuasion or rewards. Thus, religious laws help to have strong moral laws. 

Spiritual and moral values are the guiding principles that shape our beliefs, behaviours, and understanding of purpose in life. Spiritual values-faith and hope—are linked to our sense of spirituality and may involve religious beliefs or a connection with nature, while moral values govern our behaviour and interactions with others. 

 Imagine how good and peaceful a world would be if people lived by their moral principles and could follow a Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is a moral principle of treating others as you would want them to treat you. 

However, moral decay is increasing and has become a threat to society. For instance, there is an increased crime rate (like raping), rising divorce rates, widespread corruption, stealing, killing one another, etc.

Currently, moral decay is a great threat to parenting. Our children, both girls and boys, are in danger of sexual abuse. There is no one to trust at home, school, neighbourhood, or religious places. As parents, let us become more vigilant against any child abuse, like rape.

Let us cultivate a friendly relationship with our children by letting them know that they can talk to us and we can listen to them. It can be easy for them to open up and tell us more about what they might face (if any) on time. When you create a distant relationship by being harsh, it becomes difficult for parents to know what is going on in their children's lives.

Due to continuous moral decay in our society, I have been asking myself, is it a crime now to be a child? Our children are not safe from sexual abuse, making the need for parents to be vigilant more than ever.

A sexual crime against a child that was trending on social media last week for a six-year-old boy raped at Kimara, Dar es Salaam, left us shocked into the sordid reality. What would make anyone rape a child? Anyone found guilty should be jailed for life.

Likewise, let us integrate moral values into our curriculum and involve individuals, families, the community, the government, and stakeholders to instill moral education in our children instead of leaving it alone to parents and religious leaders. 

Dr. Saumu Jumanne is a lecturer at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE).