More young people today appear to have low regard for patriotism and are sliding way from their faith, that is, if we take the outcome of a survey conducted as a global phenomenon.
Findings reveal the growing trend of millennials to detach themselves from traditional values long honored by their elders.
The study, the CHRISTIAN POST’s Ryan Foley reported, was conducted nationwide by Wall Street Journal, a leading American newspaper, and the University of Chicago in the early part of 2023.
It asked 1,019 adults across the United States to indicate the importance to them of identified issues affecting their daily lives. It is interesting to note that the number of young Americans who rated patriotism as “very important” nosedived from 61 percent in 2019 to only 38 percent this year.
A noticeable decline, indeed, especially if we take into account that 70 percent said the same in 1998.
What do we see here?
There is that steady decline of young people who would probably care to stop while their flag is raised and the “Star Spangled Banner” anthem is being played by the band. The same may be said in their pledge of allegiance to the country of their birth.
A similar decline rate, Foley’s report continued, is seen in the response on how they value their faith. In 1998, those who considered religion very important was 62 percent. Then it dropped to 48 percent in 2019. Today, the numbers have slid to 39 percent.
A number of social scientists may attribute the decline in changing perceptions in a number of vital concerns to changing youth priorities brought about by technological advancements that are grabbing wider attention away from the traditional epistemological knowledge to the artificial intelligence-driven source of human understanding.
There is also that continuing emphasis on globalization and citizen-of-the-world direction as an affecting factor. Consequently, one’s sense of nationalism is transformed and redirected to an inter-continental perspective.
Consider, likewise, that “I-don’t-care”, apathetic attitude that may have been permeated in the youth sector as an outcome of too much focus on personal survival, or one’s ambition to carve his or her niche in society. The drive for such could become a be-all motivating factor.
Interestingly, in contrast, respondents aged 65 and above considered patriotism and religion as “very important” – with 59 and 55 percent, respectively.
Other highlights of the study as shown in the CHRISTIAN POST report:
• On having children: A drop from 59 percent response as “very important” in 1998 to 42 percent in 2019 and 30 percent in 2023.
• On community engagement: From 47 percent in 1998 to 62 percent in 2019 and only 27 percent in 2023.
• On the importance of money and finances: An increase from 30 percent in 1998 to 41 percent in 2019 and 43 percent in 2023.
Whatever the reasons behind the changing perceptions are, sectors covered by these issues have expressed concern over the dwindling numbers in the past 25 years.
Our consolation here is the fact that the study was conducted elsewhere, although I am starting to wonder if young Filipinos have similar patterns of perception through the years. This should spur social scientists to conduct a similar study in the country.
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Belated sympathies to the family of lawyer Rodolfo ‘Boy’ Cabado of Leon, Iloilo. Boy was a fellow officer during our Iloilo College Editors’ Guild days.
He passed away on Nov. 3 and was buried three days later.
Tributes to this multi-talented man – a literary figure, a composer, producer-director, and an educator and a public servant, among others – overflowed. Among my fond memories of him was his spontaneous positive reply to my request for him to write the piece I delivered at the local and regional competitions that made me qualify for the Dr. Jose Rizal National Oratorical Contest. I remember one judge telling me after the national finals that my piece my “very interesting and provocative.”
Farewell to my genius friend, Boy.
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Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) | NWI
