POLE1/3: MORALS AND MORALITY

MORALS AND MORAL REHABILITATION

Morals are those behaviors, habits, conducts or values that are generally accepted by society and are expected of every member of the society. Some of the morals are the following;

Every member should love his or her fellow member.

People should respect the authorities above them.

Every member should be social.

Society should not allow members to be corrupt.

Every person should avoid revenge and should always forgive.

Everybody should avoid individualism and selfishness.

All members of society should not discriminate and should avoid violence.

Members of society should avoid rivalry and hatred.

WHY MORALS AND MORAL REHABILITATION ARE NECESSARY IN SOCIETY

Morals and moral rehabilitation are necessary in society because of the following reasons;

They are also necessary if society is to get rid of indecencies that spoil human values.

Morals lead to social harmony which in turn creates a peaceful atmosphere in society.

They can also make people law-abiding citizens.

Morals are equally necessary for the promotion of cultural values in society.

Its only through the observation of morals and moral rehabilitation that children can be made to develop into good future citizens.

If morals are valued in society then automatically human rights can easily be protected.

They are necessary to prevent the increase of crimes in society.

Morals can make people honest and thus trustworthy.

They are also necessary in order to promote tolerance because they make people respect one another.

When morals are valued in society anti-societal actions like corruption are reduced.

Morals and moral rehabilitation are necessary for the promotion of understanding with the outside world because they give good image of the country.

ROLE OF FAMILY/SOCIETY IN PROMOTING MORALS

• The family plays a significant role in the promotion of morals in society.
• It’s a foundation upon which a child`s morals are built i.e. “charity begins at home”.
• The family is where the child develops his /her attitude towards other people i.e. a good discourages individualism.
• It provides and develops in the child the self-confidence which he needs in future.
• It’s also a place where honesty and respect is developed in a child.
• It discourages anti-social acts like theft, smoking, prostitution etc. the child learns these morals from parents.
• The family is also the Centre for socialization where a child learns to socialize with other children from other families.
• The family introduces young ones to the cultural norms of the society.
• It administers punishment to children who do wrong and gives reward to those who do right.
• The family establishes a cord of conduct (set of rules) according to which all members must behave.
• Parents advise their children especially adolescents not to involve themselves in primary sex in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
• It’s the family that introduces the young ones to religion which is an important aspect of moral development in any society.
• It also introduces young ones to language which is an important aspect of socialization.
• It’s the best place where we get love and affection which gives children self-esteem and confidence.

 ROLE OF RELIGION IN PROMOTING MORALS

• The church/ religion are a crucial factor in the promotion of morals in the country. It does so in the following ways.
• The church has always and will always discourage anti-social behaviours like theft, murder, rape etc.
• Religion has always taught morals to the followers especially in church.
• It has taught people to love one another hence improving the morals of people in society.
• It emphasizes respect and encourages people to be faithful to one another and to be honest.
• Religion creates social unity and togetherness amongst believers hence promoting morals
• It encourages respect for elders, parents and others in society.
• The church has also set up many baby`s homes to care for the orphans and at times street children.
• In church-oriented schools moral education as a subject is taught in order to promote morals.
• The church discourages violence as a means of solving problems. It has in addition criticized wars since they are the root cause of moral decay.
• The church has also opened youth clubs which help in training the youth to be responsible people in the future.
• Religious leader have been used to immediate between worrying functions in case of wars. This fosters reconciliation and promotes morals.

ROLE OF SCHOOLS IN PROMOTING MORALS

• Boarding schools teach children a sense of unity since people from different ends learn to live with one another.
• They also teach children to be respectful to their prefects, teachers and elders.
• In some schools moral education is included in some school programs so that they can be promoted.
• By punishing indiscipline students schools help in promoting morals.
• Schools encourage non-violent acts by encouraging debates and discussions. In so doing it promotes morals.
• Schools discourage indecencies like wearing funny dresses and shirts and speaking bad languages.
• By giving children knowledge and skills, schools help in building a child`s future and ability to be independent.
• Schools have a code of conduct inform of school rules and regulations which must be followed for good behavior.
• Guidance and counseling is compulsory in many schools as a way of shaping behaviors.
• Schools teach punctuality, hygiene and time management which are important aspects of moral development.
• Boarding schools teach students to be self-reliant which helps them to live an independent life in the future.

MORAL DEGENERATION

This is the situation whereby the people`s behaviors and conduct have declined from the accepted standards or norms of society.

Moral degeneration in Uganda has been caused by the following;

• Deculturalisation or cultural decay which are the very fabrics upon which morals are built.
• The influence of western culture has affected our morals negatively.
• Decline in influence of religion, since religion is a major teacher of morals a decline in its influence means moral decay.
• Political instability has led to inhuman acts like theft, robbery, murder, rape etc.
• Most schools don’t have moral education in their programs. This has made children unaware of their morals.
• Poor leadership leading to unnecessary arrests and imprisonment has also led to the loss of morals in society.
• Unemployment has been a problem in Uganda since 1971 forced many people to resort to bad acts like theft in order to survive.
• Decline in social relationships and social organizations like sports, clubs etc. which used to bring people together.
• Ugandans also lack a sense of patriotism. This has led to corruption and embezzlement.
• Low salaries offered by government have been responsible for moral degeneration because it has made people adapt to the temptations to corruption.
• Amin`s declaration of the economic war in 1972 without any proper follower was a disaster for morals.
• Weaknesses in the judiciary which in many cases has failed to punish lawbreakers.
• Weaknesses of the Police to maintain law and order in the country.
• Drug taking has also been responsible for moral degeneration.

CONSEQUENCES OF MORAL DEGENERATION

• Moral degeneration leads to violence and insecurity which has characterized Ugandan societies since 1971.
• It leads to murder, unnecessary loss of lives. The killings in Luwero in the 1980`s and in the North in the 1990`s are effects of moral degeneration.
• Moral degeneration leads to armed robbery and loss of property.
• It has been responsible of the tribal hatred and discrimination which has characterized Ugandan society since independence.
• Moral degeneration has also been responsible for the rampant corruption and bribery in the country.
• It also leads to indiscipline among-st the youth especially those who have left school.
• Lack of morals has also been responsible for the increase in prostitution and lawlessness.
• It has also led to decay in the Judiciary.
• Society is characterized by bad behavior such as cheating, gambling, theft etc.
• People lost trust in one another and there is general dishonesty among people.
• People tend not to respect the fundamental rights of other men.

MORAL REHABILITATION

This is the process of trying to bring back lost morals. It’s a process of making sure that morals in society are above the desired standards. It`s an attempt to ensure that the people`s behavior, conduct, habits are put back to the acceptable standards.

STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE MORAL REHABILITATION

1. The government has revised the educational systems in the school curriculum by encouraging practical and vocational subjects.
2. The government has established UPE and USE and has tried to decrease the cost of education to that a big number goes to school.
3. It has built and rehabilitated reformatory schools like the one at Kampiringisa where Juveniles are taken for moral rehabilitation.
4. The government has come up with better economic policies like controlling inflation, encouraging investment, privatizing government companies with the aim of getting jobs.
5. The vulnerable groups like the aged, orphans, the crippled and refugees have been protected by the ministry of the elderly and disabled.
6. Civil servant salaries have been increased to prevent corruption in the civil service.
7. A full ministry of ethics and integrity has been established to check on the behavior of civil servants.
8. The government has tried its best to ensure relative political stability and security in the country.
9. The government has tried to strengthen the police post and other organs of government to ensure law and order in the country.
10. Through the freedom of worship, religious leaders have been encouraged to play a big role in moral rehabilitation.
11. The government has tried to attract foreign investors through the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) thereby creating jobs for Ugandans.
12. Loan schemes such as “Enatandiikwa”, Bonabagagawale have been encouraged to liberate people from poverty.
13. The mass media is being strictly regulated by the parliament and the ministry concerned to prevent pornography and obscenity.
14. Government has tried to encourage culture being the back born of morals in society i.e. it has reinstated cultural leaders i.e. the Kabaka, Omukama etc.
15. It has strongly supported sports in the country through the National Council of Sports as a means of keeping idle minds busy to avoid moral degeneration.
16. The Judiciary which punishes wrongdoers has been strengthened and made fair as well as independent.
17. Workshops and seminars have been organized by the government for the people of guiding and counseling the youth on morals in society.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO ACHIEVE MORAL REHABILITATION

1. The government should stamp out economic injustice leading to immorality for example underpayment of workers.
2. Education systems should be revised i.e. the high cost of education should be reduced.
3. It should encourage the rule of law in the country to ensure free and fair trials.
4. It should work hard in the promotion of security stability and peace by talking to rebels.
5. The government should try to avail of employment opportunities for everyone.
6. It should encourage moral rehabilitation programmes through electronic and print media like televisions, radios etc.
7. It should set up strict laws that will discourage obscene and pornographic materials, for example, Red paper, mirror etc.
8. Government should improve on the efficiency and vigilance and efficiency of the observance of law and order.
9. Social worker and NGOs should be encouraged to assist the people by educating them on causes of different problems and solutions.
10. The government should open up more reformatory schools and remand homes to cater for the Juveniles and destitute.
11. It should mobilize the people to love their country and work for national unity.
12. Government should educate the masses about the laws and punishments given to these who break it.

A VIDEO ABOUT MORALITY