With the rise of globalization, Western culture exerts a profound influence on the cultural fabric of youth worldwide. The analysis explores how Western cultural elements infiltrate and reshape the values, standards, and behaviors of young people, focusing on aspects such as lifestyle choices, fashion trends, and social behaviors. This highlights the complex interaction between globalization and cultural transformation.
Western Culture’s Impact on Youth Values: A Specialist's Insight
Sami Al-Bitar, a clinical psychologist, provides insights into the influence of Western culture on the values and principles of youth in an interview with Sayidaty magazine.
Al-Bitar explains that "technological advancements, ranging from the invention of the radio and television to the internet and smartphones, have had a significant impact on global cultures, especially Arab culture. These developments have brought about a range of changes, both positive and negative."
One of the positive aspects of this development is the globalization of communication, where Al-Bitar notes that "communication between people worldwide has become easier, and accessing information is faster and more accessible, making it possible to save time and effort compared to the past."
However, there are also negative impacts, such as the overwhelming focus on technological progress and immersion in the virtual world. This can lead to addiction to smart devices and the internet, negatively affecting individuals' interactions with their real-world environments.
Impact of Technology
Al-Bitar highlights the negative effects of the widespread influence of Western culture, especially on the youth demographic, particularly children and teenagers, who are most affected by both the positive and negative aspects of technology and cultural globalization.
From a cultural perspective, he points out that "the most significant result we see today is the impact of Western culture on Arab youth." He emphasizes that Western culture, with its values, ideas, and habits, has become a part of the reality Arab youth live in. This raises concerns about how this culture affects Arab identity and traditional communities.
Al-Bitar further observes that "Western culture has breached geographical and individual barriers, becoming accessible to both the young and old in the Arab world." He adds that the consequences of Western culture's invasion into the Arab world are double-edged. On the positive side, it allows youth to access global events, news, and diverse scientific sources that can aid research and development in the Arab world.
On the negative side, Al-Bitar elaborates on how the influence of Western culture impacts youth behaviors, values, and ways of thinking, leading to shifts in emotions. For example, youth often follow external fashion trends, whether through clothing choices or by adopting new gaming and social trends—elements stemming from Western culture. This behavior can result in the adoption of Western ways of life, blending them with Arab culture. While this can lead to progress and the development of civilization, it could also distort the core aspects of Arab culture and fuse it with Western values.
Regarding ideas, Al-Bitar mentions that some Western ideas align with Arab society, while others completely contradict Arab culture. Young people often embrace these ideas, causing a gap in adapting to the Arab reality. This leads to a disconnect, where Arab youth withdraw into their own individualistic world, founded on contradictory principles. This can cause them to face social withdrawal, personal conflicts, and difficulties in adapting to societal norms, as societal values are the foundation of building one's identity.
Al-Bitar also states that this situation exacerbates the divide between youth and the Arab community, leading to increased desires among youth to emigrate to Western countries. Additionally, certain ideologies promoted on social media contribute to either supporting Arab culture or undermining it, further disrupting youth behavior.
The Need for Balanced Technological Use
Al-Bitar stresses the importance of regulating the use of technological tools that repeatedly broadcast Western culture. He calls for the creation of awareness campaigns aimed at educating both parents and youth on the optimal use of technological advancements. The ultimate goal, he notes, is to transform technological development into a positive force for Arab culture rather than allowing it to undermine or merge it with Western culture.
By promoting responsible and mindful use of technology, the Arab world can benefit from the positive aspects of globalization and technological progress without losing its cultural identity.
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