The Fading Echo of Tradition: Culture, Morality, and the Lost Innocence of Youth

In the tapestry of any society, culture is the vibrant thread that binds generations together, shaping values, instilling morals, and guiding behavior. 

Yet, in the relentless march of modernization, many of these threads are fraying, leaving a void that echoes with the lament for a seemingly bygone era-an era when culture served as a steadfast compass, particularly for the youth. 

The case of children raised in the English-speaking part of Cameroon vividly illustrates this shift. In those earlier days, culture was not merely a set of customs; it was a living, breathing code of conduct etched into the very fabric of daily life. 

Respect for elders was paramount, manifested in everyday gestures like surrendering a seat, moving aside during conversations, and maintaining respectful eye contact during instruction. 

These weren’t just polite behaviors; they were ingrained expressions of deference and recognition of wisdom accumulated through experience. The community operated as a unified parental unit. 

Children understood that every adult held the authority to guide and discipline, fostering a sense of collective responsibility for their upbringing. 

Lending a hand to any parent was not a choice but an expectation, a demonstration of communal solidarity.

The values extended to personal conduct and morality. Premarital sex was anathema, and teenage pregnancy was viewed as a profound disgrace, bringing shame upon the entire family. 

Young girls, by the tender age of ten, were taught essential skills like cooking, contributing actively to the household. Laziness was frowned upon; children were expected to rise before their parents and actively participate in chores, fostering a strong work ethic. 

Today, the landscape is drastically different. The relentless tide of modernization has swept away many of these traditional moorings.

The emphasis on individual autonomy, the proliferation of Western media, and the erosion of communal bonds have contributed to a decline in adherence to cultural norms. 

We see the consequences in the erosion of respect for elders, a loosening of moral constraints, and a diminished sense of responsibility towards the community.

The once-clear lines between right and wrong have become blurred, leaving many young people adrift in a sea of conflicting values. 

While progress and modernization undoubtedly bring benefits, we must critically examine their impact on our cultural heritage and its role in shaping the moral compass of our youth. 

Blindly embracing change without preserving the positive aspects of our traditions is a dangerous path. The solution is not to reject progress outright, but to find a way to integrate it with our cultural values. 

We must actively re-engage with our traditions, adapt them to the modern context, and instill them in the next generation. This requires a concerted effort from families, schools, religious institutions, and community leaders. 

We need to create spaces where young people can learn about their cultural heritage, understand its significance, and appreciate its relevance to their lives.

We need to foster dialogue between generations, bridging the gap between the old and the new, and finding common ground on which to build a shared future. 

It is time to reclaim the positive aspects of our cultural heritage, not as relics of the past, but as vital tools for shaping a more moral and responsible generation. 

By weaving together the best of tradition and progress, we can empower our youth to navigate the complexities of the modern world while remaining grounded in the values that have sustained us for generations. 

The echo of tradition may be fading, but it is not too late to amplify its voice and guide our children towards a brighter, more ethical future.

BY INNOCENT YUH

JOURNALIST 

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Picture illustrating the story