Role Of Parents Teachers And Society In Stilling Cultural Values

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "The Role of Parents, Teachers and Society in Instilling Cultural Values":

The text, attributed to Sagarmal Jain and published by the Z_Shwetambar_Sthanakvasi_Jain_Sabha, argues that the core of education and societal progress lies in instilling strong cultural values, which are intrinsically linked to non-violence (ahimsa) and good character.

Key Arguments and Concepts:

• Non-Violence as a Societal Foundation: The text begins by discussing the practicalities of non-violence. While complete avoidance of all forms of violence may be impossible due to life's necessities (like obtaining food), intentional violence to mobile life forms is forbidden in Jainism for householders. It emphasizes that societal existence itself depends on mutual cooperation, sacrifice, and respect for others' lives. In the current age of nuclear weapons, non-violence is presented as crucial for humanity's survival. Mutual credibility and belief in human equality are key to peace and harmony.

• Defining "Cultural Values": A significant portion of the text is dedicated to questioning and defining what "cultural values" truly mean. The author critiques the superficial adoption of culture that involves hypocrisy, a wide gap between words and deeds, and a focus on outward displays of religion and morality while engaging in deception at work or home.

  • Critique of Modern Aspirations: The text questions the societal push for children to become successful businessmen, officers, or politicians, suggesting that in the current climate of corruption, good character might hinder success. It also criticizes the emphasis on outward courtesy, etiquette, and blind adherence to traditions as the sole definition of a cultured child.
  • Rejection of Materialism and Fanaticism: The author rejects the idea that cultural values are synonymous with modern Western materialism, lavish living, or a lack of morality. Similarly, he argues against instilling sectarianism, religious fanaticism, prejudice, or lifeless ritualism in the name of culture.
  • The True Meaning of Culture: The text posits that true culture is about having good intentions and immaculate conduct, moving away from animal instincts, and imbibing human values. Key qualities to be instilled are self-control, a rational outlook, and cooperation.

• The Failure of Modern Education: The text strongly criticizes the current educational system.

  • Materialistic Focus: Education is primarily linked to livelihood and materialistic pursuits, with the goal of earning wealth and authority rather than contributing to society. This focus, the author argues, breeds "the devil" and produces individuals who are not truly human.
  • Abandonment of Ethics: The teaching of ethics has been discarded in the name of secularism, leading to immorality and unethical conduct.
  • Erosion of Guru-Student Relationship: The relationship between teacher and student has devolved into a transactional business, where the teacher is seen as a servant rather than a guide, making the instillation of cultural values impossible.
  • Education for Bread, Not Character: The fundamental goal of education – liberation and character building – has been forgotten. The author quotes an Urdu poet lamenting that in an age of progress, man is not becoming human.
  • The Purpose of Education: Education's primary purpose, according to thinkers like Tufts and emphasized by various Indian educational commissions, is character building. Failure to instill moral and spiritual values will continue to produce individuals with undesirable attitudes.

• The Role of Parents and Guardians:

  • Family as the First School: The family is the primary environment for sowing the seeds of cultural values.
  • Parental Influence: Children are most influenced by their family members. However, if parents are engrossed in their own material pursuits, they cannot effectively teach good values.
  • Critique of Affluent Families: Affluent families often lead luxurious, materialistic lives, adopting unhealthy diets and exhibiting untamed desires, which negatively impacts their children's character development.
  • Neglect of Children: Parents who spend excessive time away from their children, leaving them in the care of servants or baby-sitters, erode the parent-child intimacy and allow undesirable influences.
  • Responsibility of Parents: Parents cannot rely on others to instill their culture and traditions. They must lead lives of self-control, self-sacrifice, and maintain immaculate livelihood and behavior.

• Recommendations for Parents and Guardians:

  1. Maintain immaculate, cultured, and ethical conduct.
  2. Monitor the company their children keep due to the strong influence of peer pressure.
  3. Select schools carefully and teach children to respect teachers.
  4. Choose boarding schools and dormitories wisely.
  5. Spend as much time with children as possible, avoiding reliance on servants or babysitters.
  6. Provide good literature and shield children from inappropriate content.
  7. Educate children through moral stories and biographies of great individuals.
  8. Expose children to noble, educated, and cultured personalities.

In essence, the text is a passionate call to redefine education and societal focus, emphasizing the paramount importance of character development rooted in non-violence, ethical conduct, and genuine human values, with parents and teachers bearing the primary responsibility for instilling these in the younger generation.