Degradation of Moral Values in Young Generation: A Study of Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan

Our behaviour and character reflect morality by which we live. A righteous person is one who has developed moral values and lives through them. Moral values are the basis on which we make decision about right or wrong, good or evil. Moral values are developed in childhood by our parents and teachers, and remain with us through life. But now a days degradation in moral values has been observed. In this study survey method has been used and 48 respondents have been contacted to fill in the questionnaire. The study attempts to find out the causes of degradation of moral values and its consequences in our society. The study also attempts to find the remedial actions to upgrade the moral values in young generation.


Introduction:
Values do reflect a person's personality, his behaviour, attitude, his mission and vision. Values are said to be the core strength of any individual, religion, society or a nation. Moral values can be said the basis on which we make decisions-right or wrong? good or evil? Other bases may be convenient, financial, arbitrary (flipping a coin), aesthetic (an artist), physical/health and rational (investigating a product before buying). Moral values are the guiding principles for a person's life. Moral values provide peace of mind, joyful environment, better quality of life, provide sustainability, and bring harmony in the global society. In the countries like India, there has been a tradition of moral values and its education at various stages. Because of religious and geographical diversity, moral education in India was basically through religious talks or otherwise. The degradation of moral values in our society today has become a phenomenon. There are many factors due to which the decline in moral values has been seen now a days. The consequences of degradation of moral values are very crucial. Family, society, culture and social values etc. Influence the morals. Family, school, church and society which are known as the agencies of education play an important role in developing ethical and moral values among Indian youths. Unfortunately, due to several social and economic factors many families are disoriented, disorganised and confused and are proved failed to play the vital role. Our educational institutions are preparing efficient individuals but not good citizens. Our society today is marked by greed, theft, violence, drug addiction, terrorism etc. Discipline today is lacking among young children in our society. They do not obey their elders and often show disrespect to them. The present generation today is busy in serving its own interests and has become so much self-centred. Thus, the consequences of the rapid erosion of ethical and moral values among youths are clearly seen in our society.

Methodology:
The study is descriptive in nature. Survey method has been used and 48 persons of Shekhawati region has been contacted to know their views about the degradation of moral values in young generation.

Causes of degradation of moral values:
The following causes of declining in moral values have been found as per the study: Impact of mass media: Mass media has influenced the young generation very much. It plays a significant role in shaping the personality of the youth. A lot of content containing vulgarity and violence is posted, uploaded and shared amongst the youth through mass media and if the young generation watches such content, the thought process of the youth will obviously be influenced and the results will be negative for the society.

Behaviour of parents:
In most of the families, parents are working so they are not able to give proper time to their children. They are stressed due to their jobs or working so they sometimes talk to their children rudely. They sometimes even do not know what their children are watching on TV, mobile phones or what they are doing. Now a days, many of the parents are not monitoring the activities of their children.
They actually do not have proper time to teach them moral values hence there is a gap between them.
Faulty education system: Sometimes our education system also proves to be defective. Life style of people: The life style of people is changed as compared to previous generation. Earlier the people were simple but now a days, people are materialistic and the youth mostly believes in showing off, they believe in self exhibition and the act of self-exhibition take them towards the immoral acts like they start smoking and drinking etc.
Moving from joint to separate family: The culture of moving from joint to separate family is also one of the reasons of degradation of moral values in youth. In joint families, the children used to learn moral values from their grand parents and other family members. They used to learn how to behave with elders and how to behave with younger ones. But in separate families, the young generation lack this valuable thing.

Consequences of degradation of moral values:
There are many consequences of degradation of moral values which affect our social system significantly.
Following are the points which can throw light on some of the consequences:

Lack of cooperation:
The study reveals that the young generation has become self-centered.
The youth lack the spirit of cooperation and focus on meeting the personal benefits or needs. Individual centered approach is increasing day by day. The young generation is more selfish comparatively. • Others: Some other consequences are gender discrimination, female harassment in in-laws, domestic violence, lack of social welfare etc.

Remedial actions:
As per the study, we came to know about the consequences of degradation of moral values and based on that the following are some of the remedial actions: •

Inclusion of study of moral values in education at all levels:
The study of human values should be introduced mandatorily in school education as well as at higher education level. The young graduates now a days focus only on making money and they study only about business or jobs and for getting those things they do not care of right or wrong ways. So, inclusion of human values at higher education level will give them a sense of morality. •

Spending time with elders or aged people:
The youth must approach the elders or aged people to spend time with them. This act will create a sense of love and respect between them. This way the youth will learn the moral values from the experience of the elders. •

Work-life balance of office going parents:
Working parents many times behave harshly with their children due to their job stress or job burnout. If they maintain work-life balance, they will be able to behave properly and will give sufficient time to their children.

Conclusion:
It has been observed that there is a degradation of moral values in young generation. The youth of present generation lack moral values and do not respect their elders. The present generation believes in selfexhibition and runs behind creature comforts. The desire of materialistic things and self-exhibition leads the youth towards immoral and criminal activities. The consequences of degradation of moral values are disastrous so we must know the causes of degradation of moral values and we must correct the immoral acts or behaviour through remedial actions. It is very important to inculcate the moral values in young generation. Youth are said to be the pillars of a nation so for the development of our nation we must