In this era, secondary schools find themselves battling with harsh realities of moral decay, a phenomenon occasioned by a multitude of societal factors. At the heart of this issue lies the disconcerting reality that children are increasingly being raised in environments where busy parents struggle to find the time to impart essential family values. With both parents often engrossed in demanding careers or businesses, the crucial role of instilling moral principles falls by the roadside, leaving a void eagerly filled by external influences, most notably social media.
Social media platforms foster values and behaviours that may not conform to conventional or accepted moral norms, even while they provide unmatched connectivity and information exchange. Teenagers who lack parental supervision use these platforms as virtual compasses and take in a skewed view of the world where materialism, sexualization, superficiality, and instant gratification are valued above all else. As a result, the morals that parents formerly taught their children are replaced by those that the internet spreads, leaving a generation of young individuals floating aimlessly in a sea of moral uncertainty.
Furthermore, influencers and celebrities have taken over the conventional position of parents as the main role models. Their carefully manicured online personas can present a false impression of fulfilment and accomplishment.
Children are inundated with pictures of extravagant lifestyles that put material prosperity ahead of real human connection and moral behaviour in a society that is obsessed with fame and fortune. This weakens the once-unquestionable authority of parents, making their kids more vulnerable to the attraction of fake idols whose lives are poor stand-ins for real moral standards.
Compounding these challenges is the undue burden placed on schools to assume the mantle of moral educators. In an era where educational institutions are tasked with not only imparting academic knowledge but also promoting character development, educators find themselves stretched thin, grappling with a myriad of responsibilities that extend far beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. With limited resources and support, schools are ill-equipped to combat the pervasive influence of external forces, leaving them overwhelmed in their quest to cultivate responsible and ethical citizens.
However, in the face of the impending total collapse of moral pillars among teenagers, there remains a glimmer of hope. It is incumbent upon parents to recognize that their most precious investment lies not in material wealth but in the ethical foundation upon which their children’s futures are built. Sacrificing time, rather than money, is the ultimate testament to parental devotion and ensures that children receive the invaluable guidance and support necessary to navigate the complexities of modern life.
Parenthood is a deliberate endeavour and parents must sacrifice their own comfort to raise responsible children. When a husband says ‘stupid’ to his wife when he is angry in the presence of the children he has taught them to do the same whenever they are angry. When a mother watches 18-rated content on TV with her children she has taught them to be the characters of the content in the near future. When teenagers are given absolute control over their mobile devices it breeds unimaginable exploration which often comes with negative influences. It’s time for parents to reconfigure their parenting styles and let the schools breathe.
Uthman Qasim, Abuja
