Modernization and Westernization

An Assignment In Social and Individual SYBBA

Submitted by: Oswinda Gomes R-11-17

Department of Bachelor of Business Administration Rosary College of Commerce and Arts

2011-2014

Q1) Evaluate how modernization and westernization has changed the lifestyle of individuals in society in general? Indian society is very old and existing even after many ups and downs. Indian society can be understood as a collection of various people belonging to different cultures, backgrounds, status, families and demands. It has been a symbol of unity in diversity. It has accepted each and every person, class and origins very well. Families of different culture like Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and o on are living under one roof making the base of the Indian society stronger than always. Every society is bound to go through many changes and even much advancement so as with our own society. Changes and modification done into the lives of the citizens directly bring the changes within the society. Because it is the citizens who composite the society so, any changes into the lifestyle, attitude, thinking and working pattern of the citizen would automatically bring a change within the society. Modernization symbolizes the advancement. Advancement means the betterment and to move forward in a positive sense. Hence, modernization follows to move forward and to get better in terms of many aspects of life. There are many aspects of life where modernization takes place such as standard of living, education, working style, values, morals, principles, technology, relationship, cultural pattern and many more. When people of the society get better and advanced in the all aspects related to their lives, thinking, attitudes and relationship then the society is said to be modernized. Here the society tries to innovate and utilize its present and old knowledge, patterns, techniques and resources. It makes a country more confident, independent, versatile and moreover self-sufficient. It inspires the society to come out of the nut shell of backwardness and to construct healthy relationships with different societies that may help us to achieve a better condition and an advanced global position. Modernization has led to the betterment in the utilization of the manpower, resources and techniques which existed in the Indian society. Our society is getting advanced and better in every aspect of life. Citizens are using better ways in technology, education, life styles and in establishing advance networking. Life in India has become new, interesting, globalizing and easy for the people. People are trying out new definitions of values, cultural dimensions and new working principles that all together make the lives and standard more high. Westernization is also a change that has take place in Indian society to have a major extent. Westernization follows the adoption of the different lifestyles, cultural ways, working style, organizing styles and even the behavioral pattern of the Western countries. Westernization is when people adopt the patterns and ways of the Western countries and follow them in their working, thinking, living and approaching various situations. There is no newness and innovation because the individuals only tend to follow the ways or patterns that are already there in the Western Culture. Indian society has gained a rapid pace in westernization. Majority of

families, individuals and youth are showing a keen interest in western life style like dressing, housing, outing and partying and attitude like professionalism and individualism. People most of the time tends to believe modernization and westernization as synonymous of each other. But in reality they are not so. Both of the process are totally different and play a different role in peoples lives respectively. Today people in India wear western outfits that is not wrong but it would not either make the society as modern. People are moving away from Indian cultural values, life style and pattern which are making them western but not modern. It is the choice of the individual that if they want a betterment of their own opportunities or simply want to become a follower. Any society must give full respect to its culture and civilization. Following and adopting something good from other culture and life style should not be done at the cost of dignity of own culture. Indian society need to become more modern in terms of its own values, resources and opportunities. Q2) Comment how modernization had led to degeneration of family values in society in particular? Modernization of a society required the destruction of the indigenous culture and its replacement by a more Westernized one. Modernity simply refers to the present, and any society still in existence is therefore modern. Materialism, advanced technologies and a lack of understanding of the basic cause of existence has led us to degradation in our moral values. Take for example, the concept of joint family. Today, no young couple prefers a joint family. Nuclear families on the pattern of division of the family in the USA and the West create a sense of insecurity among young people. They are financially dependent upon their elders whom they have left. They do not want to be grateful to their parents. Rather, they want to disown them. Rapid industrialization and urbanization forces young boys and girls to explore new and green pastures. However, old parents at home suffer due to the apathy of their children. In India, corruption is prevalent at all the levels; peon, officer, telephone lineman, engineer, doctor, general managers, directors, ministers, cabinet secretaries, prime ministers etc comprise the small cross-section of the long shocking list. Another steep decline in moral values manifests itself in the form of our poor educational system and teaching methodologies. In fact, the poor educational system in all the parts of the nation has led to poor moral values in the society. And the educational system has deteriorated beyond compare due to rise in commercialism, thanks to the ill effects of the free market economy. The students do not respect their teachers. The teacher is forced to respect them. Copying during the examinations is a compulsory exercise. Student unrest, politics at the campus and inter-group rivalries put education, career and academic excellence to a backseat. Best of the brains are drained to the West and we are left with nothing but chaff. If, instead of importing goods and technologies, we could somehow stop the export of our talented

professionals to the Western nations, we would need almost nil imports after ten years from now. The reason is that we would be self-sufficient due to our human resources and would be able to produce everything at home. But this remains a dream as money and materialism beckon our professionals from across the seas. The offers are tempting- and nobody misses the opportunity if offered once. Another prominent characteristic of Indian society is overindulgence in free sex prior to marriage. The cable TV boom, Internet operations, cinema and pornography have affected our young minds adversely. The teenagers are falling prey to the lust for the flesh and do not mind having multiple sexual affairs. The moral degradation apart, this overindulgence is also spreading HIV among the youth. The young minds are not aware of this tragic consequence of free and multi-partner sex. Even the individuals from older age groups are making full usage of the free market winds that blow in our social and cultural lives. We must find a quick solution to this menace; usage of condoms, avoiding multiple partners, medical testing of the partners prior to sex and above all, avoiding sex before marriage could be some of the concrete steps for curbing this menace. Further, in Indian society, respect for elders is taking a backseat in the name of modernization. Our cultural values have taught us to respect our parents and help them during the times of their helplessness. However, the growth of nuclear families has led to complete ignorance of parents and elders. The parents are forced to seek shelter in old-age homes because their children or sons-in-law are rude and insulting. The decline in moral values in our social environment has also manifested itself in large scale violence and riots on religious grounds. Caste conflicts have been used by the politicians for settling their scores with their rivals. Materialism has put all the Indian traditions and values in the dump yard. Every Indian is running for well defined and cash convertible goals. Nationalism, family, society and morality no longer matter for him. The solutions for this dangerous moral decay do exist. In our schools, the traditional Indian values must be taught and reinforced. Schools can change the face of our society. Sadly, commercialism has started raising its ugly head even in the schools. Educational and cultural programmes must be organized in all the localities of Indian cities and townships. Foreign culture, especially the MNC culture, should not be allowed to overtake our traditional values. We believe in becoming modern and technology oriented but not at the cost of our national dignity and social norms. The concept of joint families must be promoted among the young couples. This concept would enable them to take fruitful guidance from their elders and would also ensure better future for their posterity. Indian cultural heritage should be promoted and protected through festivals, music concerts and conferences. Literary Interests should be developed among the youth. They should be persuaded to take in more interest in Indian; its, music, crafts and historical monuments. However, Indian values must also be enforced so that our children remain in touch with their roots.