Generation Gap: Why Are Young People Turning Away from Traditions?

Giving up a seat to an elderly person, helping a woman with a child, showing respect to people of advanced age - where are our moral guidelines disappearing to? After all, each nation becomes unique not only thanks to its language or culture, but, first and foremost, thanks to traditions and customs that are passed from generation to generation. For Azerbaijanis, these aspects have always been a reflection of the great humanistic spirit.

Values that we are proud of

Hospitality, respect for elders, reverence for the elderly, care for children... This list can go on endlessly. All these moral guidelines serve not just as the foundation of family and social structure - they form a worthy citizen and a person with a sense of responsibility.

Globalization and cultural losses

However, with the development of globalization processes and the growth of individualism, we face a troubling reality: many traditions lose their significance, become alien, and gradually disappear from everyday life.

Unfortunately, this process has affected us too. Increasingly, representatives of the older generation complain that young people don't give up their seats on public transport, don't pay attention to women with children, elderly people, and citizens with disabilities. Even more sadly, when young people encounter disapproving looks, they prefer to simply ignore them.

Why is this happening? What are the reasons for the loss of these traditions?

Sociologist Mail Yagublu shares his opinion on this matter.

"Everything begins with the family"

"In many countries, giving up your seat on public transport is not at all the norm. For example, once in Germany I offered my seat to an elderly person, and I was told that it's not customary to do so here. But for us, it's a tradition, a manifestation of respect and reverence for the older generation," he says.

According to the sociologist, the root of the problem lies in the upbringing that children receive in the family.

"A child reproduces in society what they see at home. Therefore, if we want our children to preserve traditions, first and foremost, we, the parents, must be faithful to them. We need to constantly remind, explain, not allow these beautiful customs to be forgotten. Only in this way can we preserve our uniqueness and spiritual wealth," believes Mail Yagublu.

To preserve means to pass on

Traditions are alive when they are passed from one generation to another. Preserving respect, attention, and kindness is not just a cultural duty, but the foundation of a healthy and just society. If we want future generations to be proud of their heritage just as we are - let's not allow traditions to disappear. In other words, everything begins with ourselves.

Source: Bizim.Media