Ignorace in Todays Society

Ignorance is a never ending problem in today society. This is an anomaly that most governments, (USA and abroad) have chosen not to address, possibly they will never understand nor resolve. Ignorance of social, family, labor, educational and ethical values are the core of any society; needless to say, religious values, also play a cohesive role in keeping civilization together, no matter what the skeptics say. The lack of morals-(human code of conduct and religious), the absence of civilest conduct, loyalty and patriotic identity, has started to deteriorate the fabric of our families. When the families begin to self destruct, then society is at risk and chaos is knocking at the door. Take a look at the popular culture, (65 to 73% of our TV viewing audience, ages 13- 35) accepts as solid and fun entertainment. There are those who continue to believe that TV does not affect your perception of culture and life. If this wasnt true, then manufacturers, industrialists, investors and marketer wouldnt pay millions of dollars trying to imprint in your brains the name of their brands. It takes just one simple afternoon, of a typical workweek to flip through the channels and see what our young people are eating as good entertainment. We are watching trash, after trash, and the more we consume it, the more that we tolerate, accept and acquire the taste for it. Children have started to treat parents as equals and with the same disrespect sitcoms project their characters on TV. This is a powerful way and the how TV is affects society at all economical layers. Since this is ENTERTAINMENT and is lawful, the government is not regulating enough how is affecting families, school commitment, self esteem, and dreams, therefore, they dont care. Sooner or later the trash will reach the chores of a suburban rich individual, affecting his/her family and due to powerful influence, they will call an important politician and scream, the wolf, the wolf. As usual, in America we respond to crisis, we dont like to invest in preventing the problems; we are known for our firemen techniques, always putting out fires.

But who is to say, who is ignorant or not? Well, according to Random House Webster Dictionary being ignorant is lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned. It is the lacking especial knowledge or information. Now how this would be applied in todays society? Well, the violent behavior of the youth, gangs; the increase in poor areas or ghettos, and the respect that the people have among themselves, can in fact help to form our own opinion on that individual or group. Sometimes these perspective may be wrong, because being poor does not necessarily mean you are uneducated or ignorant, but because we are prone in this legalistic, segregated, prejudist society, we may end up mixing them up. However it doesnt necessarily mean that that person or group is actually ignorant, because they dont have an economical or educational level; we all are ignorant in many areas, and no one, no government, no system, requires you to know it all. The ignorance that I am trying to speak about is the ignorance that violates the rights of others, including one owns right, by acting outside of a cultural or social context, preventing you from excelling.



It is very evident that poverty and lack of good government programs, such as well supervised public education, is part of the problem. We have taken out of schools the heart and soul of civilization, and all in the name of respecting the rights of I dont know who. We need to bridge our future generations to a better world, but we are leaving behind a negative legacy; if this continues, I dont want to think what is going to look like in 30 years from now. Poverty branches out in all types of chaotic human conductsthe less education or social orientation you have, the less abilities and the narrower your options get.

In todays society I see many young children as well as young adults, between the ages of 15- 25, engage themselves in slandering, badmouthing, and even getting into fist fights. People are so loud and disrespectful; they seem to have gotten a certificate of conduct from the Jerry Springer Institute of Trash. I dont disrespect the man, I dont care for the kind of program he has, because it doesnt provide closure to societal problems. Instead it gives the impression to our viewers that it is ok to behave in such as primitive and uneducated fashion. Is this what we should expect for the future of the US or even closer, of Milwaukee? Is this what our predecessor will leave us with? I think NOT.

Just recently there was an incident in at a high school basketball game; nine students were arrested for disorderly conduct at Vincent High School, some in which received ticket for resisting arrest. The fight broke out outside the school, thankfully no one was injured, however the affect of the aftermath was insuring that something most be done.



With all the gang activities increasing every year along with violence, and the spreading of the ghettos there should be away we can counter act it. Such examples of these could be the fallowing; having more youth facilities such as the boys and girl club and YMCA. You can also have after school programs were it can help the students with homework and there studies. Having teachers helping the students can help improve their school academics but also create a better relationship with there teacher. A good relationship, a lasting, transforming and encouraging connection, something that seems so lost, since teachers are not called to be parents, friends, counselors, nor advisers. You see, the system has prevented them from crossing those boundaries, because we are more interested in the title and possible liability issues that making a lasting impression on future generations. Teacher spend more time filling out paperwork Individual Education Plans, trying to look or for the system to look ok, than actually teachingThat in it self is a tragedy.



This way we can hopefully keep kids out of the streets and gangs. Help them with every day issues by showing them a new light, a possible way to over come their problems. There are many different ways that staff members can help a student through advising. Another possible approach can be involving their parents, as much as possible. If parent dont cooperate, we must implement legal programs to make them accountable or responsible for their children. Possibly, using some sort of school contract stating that the parents most attend parents teacher conference. Parents are the key role in helping our society to improve. Parents need to know what there children are up to; they need to know who their friends are, where they hang out, and what they are doing in school. The parents need to start setting rules and regulations (using reward and punishments) and start it at an early stage while maintaining it through the childs life.



As a society I believe we can accomplish a change in our youths mentality by starting at a young age. Teaching the youth that education is more important than MTV or BET cable stations and that life doesnt revolve in fortune and fame, but rather education. With education and some hard work we can perhaps get fortune and fame, but definitely, a better life.


*written in Feb.2006