Most citizens are horrified at the unrelenting and seemingly escalating spate of murders engulfing the land. Though being neither sociologists nor psychiatrists, some speculate whether this could be a possible case of bottled-up rage being channelled through extreme violence. And if so, what’s the underlying cause(s).
It is clear that "… society's cultural control system has disintegrated.” The country is peopled with some individuals who are unconcerned about social norms and values and are easily given to rage. They are dismissive of society and harbour anger towards those whom they consider “the better-off.” They seem unhappy with everyone and everything. Moreover, wherever they find an outlet and opportunity to exhibit violence, they demonstrate it in the most daringly outrageous and obscenely inhuman manner. Sadly too, they care little about their own lives, less so about the lives of others.
Why are so many on the edge these days? Is this pent-up fury possible reaction against what they perceive to be an unfair system? To what extent rising social and economic inequities contribute to a negative state of mind among those unable to taste a slice of “the good life" enjoyed by the privileged minority? Let it be understood that, in posing these questions, the intent is not to rationalise or romanticise deviant social behaviour but rather to seek understanding and explanations underlying behaviours which so fundamentally violate social norms and warrant disapproval of the majority of society. And on this basis to guide meaningful corrective action!
There is sufficient evidence to indicate that a significant proportion of our youth are unemployed because they don't have the qualifications to be absorbed in today's market system. Additionally, many do not or cannot take up employment because they are too maladjusted to work in any organisation; there are those who just do not know how to work! The foregoing may instance failures in the education system. Current economic circumstances are likely to make matters worse, heightening the urgency for wise, informed interventions based on societal consensus, much beyond the traditional law and order approach.
There are other considerations as well. The absence of positive role models in our society, particularly male role models, could also be a contributing factor. Further socio-political observations suggest that, increasingly, the criminal justice system fails to serve as effective deterrence to crime and criminal behaviour. Not only do many perpetrators of gratuitous violence get away. In a situation of rampant corruption, the movers and shakers and political entrepreneurs in society continue to prosper with apparent impunity. Possible banner advertisement for “crime does pay”!
As a people, we must decide that we want differently. In this regard, we need to persist with informed citizen action and vigilance, applying appropriate pressure for instituting participatory governance as a basis for prudent, evidence-based, consensual interventions to resolve the twin dilemmas of possible economic and societal disintegration.
Winston R Rudder
Petit Valley