Really? So the ones spilling the tea are more moralized than ones sipping on tea whilst providing insightful commentary on current global crises in their regularly held kitty-parties the morning after every social gathering? Damn.
Alexa, search up the definition of moral values. Alexa: Moral values are relative values that protect life and are respectful of the dual life value of self and others. The great moral values, such as truth, freedom, charity, etc., have one thing in common. When they are functioning correctly, they are life protecting or life-enhancing for all.
Wait so, Gen X, the last proud ruler of the kingdom of “moral values” practiced virtues that helped make the better place? I don’t think so. For all you know, Millennials are the reason why “moral values” have rightfully returned to this world. Let me walk you through.
We live in a world where appearance is everything. Even the most religious souls persuade their followers to dress and behave in a certain way. They impose upon them a set of limits and frames that they call “moral values” and move on to make them view the world through this lens. If people don’t adhere to these codes of conduct then obviously they are on a morally incorrect path.
When a child learns religion, or should I say embraces religion, one of the first things he or she is taught is “moral values”. I remember some from my lessons - cooperation, compassion, integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, and gratitude. But as we grow, these aren’t considered moral values. So was this an illusion? What thousands of religious scholars, counselors, and even parents fail to acknowledge is that these moral values are the only lessons one needs to be morally educated. Teach your children these traits for what they are and what they stand for.
However, parents too strive to enrich their wards in a way that a morally aligned personality is aligned to a being that is accepted by society. Morals were built and reconstructed in a way to help correct the image of their child through the society’s lens and not what constitutes a good human being. Being good, being kind, being compassionate is so much harder than deception, vengeance, revenge, and backbiting. What most upbringings fail to do is destroy the stereotypes and break the shackles that the children were surrounded by. Instead, we were told to accustom and climatize ourselves to this environment. And by doing this, one becomes "moral"(But really, one becomes more habitual to the society, and to remind you, this is what gave rise to the "let boys be boys" sentiment).
Did they fail to understand the first lesson in their ethics class? Oh. But didn’t they get 100% on that test? Or wait, was that the math test? Sorry, back then it was interchangeable.
You try to cover and conceal the skin with bright white satin or dark blue velvet but you never try to change the reason why the blood boils under the skin. Why is it that we are reminded “to behave decently”, “to be better than him” and “to obey the elders” more often than “to be merciful” or “to be compassionate”? (You know I don’t even need statistics to prove that statement) See, the whole ‘morally incorrect character’ your aunt gave you was just a facade. The morals the Gen x think are being wiped out in Millenials and Gen Z is nothing but their desire to maintain their social status and image in the society. Unfortunately, these moral values that millennial's are made to seek after are non-existential if you search up your religious books. Chasing the real moral values is a longer journey than chasing monetary success. You completed a race just to figure out that life wasn’t a competition. Life is a museum, where you display your values. Financial stability was not a moral value. Loyalty was, and you lost it while chasing your stability. Oops, your museum isn’t worth a ticket.
Gen Z and Millennials' do realize the importance of moral values though, probably because we are hit by depression and bullying earlier on. 43% of this generation believes in working for a cause that creates a positive impact. Gen Z and the millennial's social media has become, undoubtedly, a platform for social discussion. They have recognized the need to remove the stigma on tabooed subjects like menstruation and racism. That is truly the real-life application of moral values. Fighting these restrictions and breaking shackles, and not institutionalizing them. Most Gen X still associate mental health to insanity.
Moral values are coming back. The OG ones. The fairy tales one. Women voice out other women, not pull them back. Campaigns for justice are everything, even for climate(thanks Greta Thunberg). Gender inequality has reduced. Black, white, yellow, brown all the same. All lives matter. Moral values are coming back, just as fast as global concerns are voiced out and dealt with.
Aunties and Uncles, how many times have you mocked your friend’s daughter for divorce? How many times have you complained about your nephew’s low PSAT score and incompetence? And said stuff behind your colleague's back? Because backbitting, lowering someone’s self-esteem, mercilessness were always your moral values. At most, you told your kids what moral values were, but you didn't show them what they were. They learned it because your fake morals led them to self discover it.
A high social status, no criminal records, 3 daughters married to billionaires, and an engineer son doing his Ph.D. does not highlight your morality. Breakaway from this illusion. Before you correct anyone, correct yourself. If you're not perfect, you do not have the right to point out other's imperfections. So the time you want to lecture your children about “moral values” let it be about compassion and not the glittery t-shirt he wore to your friend’s party. Accept before you expect.