Violence is part of our culture

May 05, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

It seems that in today’s societal culture, corruption and stealing have become acceptable; extortion is defended, and violence, rape and murder are justified. Crime has existed since the beginning of time, and whether we like it or not, it has become a part of our culture.
Many, including the police and those in authority, assume that only the wicked, poor and uneducated individuals commit crimes. This ignores the fact that violent and illegal activities are not only committed by criminals but also by those entrusted to manage the affairs of the country. Crime is being committed by people from all walks of life and from every class, ethnicity, religion, status or race. It has no boundaries.
Against this backdrop, a crime plan must be developed to address all the cultural aspects of society. Culture is not limited to the manifestations of human intellectual and creative achievements, It encompasses the pattern of responses people develop over time to meet their everyday economic challenges. Culture is unique to every society; it encompasses dispositions, assumptions, beliefs, behavior, dress, norms and values.
It influences what people find to be acceptable or unacceptable, right or wrong, important or unimportant in society. It is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
Culture is transmitted through social interaction by which new members learn to behave in ways that they believe society finds acceptable or unacceptable. The process includes observation of goings-on, such as what society rewards and what it does not; the public behavior of our national leaders, and the laws that are enforced and those that are not. The family, the church, the media, peers, public opinion and the school are some of the agents of socialization which sometimes can become dysfunctional.
For example, some religious leaders flaunt conspicuous behavior; exploit the superstitions and fears of their followers for personal gain; publicly exalt themselves; and defend child marriages in the name of culture and custom or as a means of consolidating wealth in families.
Over the years, many, especially youths have been rapidly losing confidence in a system that has worked against them and in favor of the rich and powerful. They are influenced by the behavior of Members of Parliament.
They also realize that those with political affiliation can obtain taxpayers’ money for personal gains through fraudulent means without being charged.
The wider public believes that the judicial system is oppressive because many who cannot afford a lawyer to defend themselves languish in prison for years waiting for a trial. The public perception is that the police force is corrupt, as a result, they interfere with the justice system by arbitrarily selecting the laws to be enforced, the violations to ignore and the cases to be tried by delaying critical final reports
The education system can also be blamed for the dysfunctional behavior of youths whose modes of reasoning, beliefs and lifestyles are quite different to societal culture. Many are frustrated that year after year, the failures in the education system are swept under the carpet as no one else but they are being blamed. The challenge is for the authorities to take steps to reduce the negative socialization of youths and hence crime.
Our leaders must reflect good and decent behavior, political decisions must not be self-serving, the church must return to its foundation of humility and service, the laws must be enforced fairly and consistently. A comprehensive crime plan must include these critical socializing forces if not, violence will continue to be part of our culture.

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