Considering the rapid rate of change in the world, should we still hold on to traditions?

In this ever-changing society, due to a country's future economy, social and political development, tensions between the claims of tradition versus the pull of modernity have arisen. In order to keep our ancesterous roots intact, we should hold onto our traditional values and beliefs if it does not clash with our modern ethical and moral values.

People tend to forget about their identity, ethnicity and culture due to rapid globalisation, where there is interconnectedness all over the world. In the past, many Asian countries were colonised by the western countries, resulting in the countries' struggle for independence and also the creation of a new national identity when the countries were freed from the empire, as the colonisers have influenced the locals with their cultures. These has led to a hybridity of culture, where locals may be confused with their identity now. However, despite decolonisation, the influence of the western culture still continues even though they are not physically there. It is due to the influence of media, economic and politics, which led to westernisation of the other countries and the locals wanting to fit into society by keeping up to this change. This has led to the threat of extinction of many traditions, such as chinese opera, farming to traditional handwork, as the new generation does not want to continue with these, resulting in a lost of culture. Therefore, we should remember our culture in order not to lose our roots by carrying on such culture and traditions through each generation.

Many new migrants are stuck in-between worlds as they are not accepted in the new land and back in their native land, leading to an identity crisis. In searching for a better life, people tend to migrate to a more developed country as their econmy is more stable. Little do they expect that they would be ostrocised due to race and colour. The second generation born in this new land would have difficulty to understand their tradition and culture as they do not experience what their parents experience in their native land. These leads to a lost of tradition and culture, as now the new generation sees themselves as locals in this new land. Therefore, not wanting them to lose their identity further, traditions and culture should still be taught to them. However, even if they return to their native land, they might not be accepted as they are not seen to be a pure local anymore, for example India. Hence, leading to displacement as they are not accepted both places.

However, there are still some form of traditions which are against human rights, which should not be continued, such as the killing of children that is still present now in the Amazon, Kombal tribe, where children are buried alive as the community believe some bring bad luck. Therefore, such practices should not be continued due to illogical belief that has no prove. However, the parents of these chosen children are put in pressure between family ties and tribe, if they do not obey they may be kicked out. Therefore, they have to adapt and assimilate in order to survive but not stubbornly holding on to their values.

In conclusion, this rapid change in the world has led to many problems that threatens one's tradition. However, we should still work at preventing it to keep our identity, ethnicity and culture for future generations to come, if they do not clash with ethic and moral value system.