Understanding Changing Attitudes of Pakistani Youth: Applying Ecological Systems Theory, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Social ecology

Download Understanding Changing Attitudes of Pakistani Youth: Applying Ecological Systems Theory and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Social ecology in PDF only on Docsity! 95 Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan Volume No. 55, Issue No. 1(January - June, 2018) Fauzia Saleem Alvi * Ahmed Usman ** Aaisha Amjad *** The Ecological Systems Theory: A Dimension of Understanding the Changing Youth in Pakistan Abstract The use of modern communication technology (MCT) has not only influenced the material lifestyle of young individuals but also has brought changes in their attitudes and perceptions regarding different issues concerning their daily lives. The present paper aims to explain these changes using „Ecological Systems Theory‟ by Urie Bronfenbrenner. In the present study, a theoretical model has been developed from this theory to explain the complexity of perception and attitude development among youth. The present study deployed mixed- methodology. Quantitative research techniques were applied to collect data from 600 young respondents belonging to the age group between 20-24 years using self-administered questionnaire. To have a broader picture on the phenomenon, qualitative data was drawn from the parents through conducting in-depth interviews. Major findings of the study indicate that under the influence of complex nested systems of layers of environment, starting from the family of the young individuals to the global level, the change experienced by youth is more of a material nature whereas the basic fabric of values remains intact. The youth used to share their „meaning of success in life‟ with their parents and prefer to make their choices in life according to their parents‟ approval. The relation with grand- parents is of sentimental nature where they are considered as respectful figure. On the other hand, the use of increased MCT among the youth has decreased their neighborhood bonding and intimacy with near relatives as compared to previous generation. The use of MCT has increased the influence of consumer culture, creating an inclination towards the culture of “branded-products”, however this has not created disloyalty towards country or alienation from religion among the Pakistani youth. Key Words: Youth, Modern communication technology, Ecological systems theory, Consumer culture, Parents‟ approval. * Dr. Fouzia Saleem Alvi, PhD Sociology, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab Lahore, fauziaalvi17@yahoo.com Mobile # 0333-4424808 ** Dr. Ahmad Usman, PhD Sociology, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab Lahore, ahmedusmaan@hotmail.com Mobile # 0304-4409574 *** Ayesha Amjad, M.Phil. Sociology, Visiting Lecturer of Sociology, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab Lahore, aaishausman.au@gmail.com Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan – Vol. 55, No. 1, January - July, 2018 96 Introduction The world‟s youth population is around 3.5 billion (UNESCO, 2013). Pakistan, being the sixth most populous country in the world with a population of approximately 192 million (PES 2015-16) also has a large bulk of youth population (nearly 63 percent population of Pakistan falls under the age of 25 years.). Today the youth has greater access to global information through the use of modern communication technology (MCT) like internet, satellite and cable channels and mobile phones. It is estimated that in Pakistan there are about 25 million internet users (ISPAK, 2014). The use of MCT‟s has provided youth with an instant connection to the global cultures, trends, religions and life styles, due to which this segment of society is experiencing transformation. The present study aims to explain this change using Bronfenbrenner‟s Ecological Systems Theory (1992). The Ecological Systems Theory The „Bio-Ecological Systems Theory‟ popularly known as the „Ecological Systems Theory‟ was contributed by a developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979. The theory has a significant recognition in explaining a young individual‟s development within the system of relationships that construct his/her environment (Bronfenbrenner, 1992). Urie Bronfenbrenner negates the traditional unilinear approach towards development and defines a nested system of layers of environment, explaining the complexity in the perception and attitude development of youth. The Ecological Systems Theory and Complexity in Perception and Attitude Development Bronfenbrenner looks at the development of an individual from child to adult as a complex procedure involving both his social environment and biological development. According to him, the „complexity‟ increases as experiences in the social and biological domain increase over time. The Ecological Systems theory provides an understanding of the complexity of influence on young individuals from the macro to micro level or in other words from the global to the local level. On the basis of this theory, it is seen that human society is transforming and technology is gradually over powering human relations (Paquette & Ryan, 2001). From the work place to social relationships, there seems to be a strong influence of technology. However, the influence of technology should mean “getting more freedom of time and space” for developing relations, which is not the actual case. Rather, today individuals are devoting more time to their work usually at a cost of their “family time”. The „high tech‟ infra-structure has brought efficiency in the processes of work, not individuals. Working mothers are also falling victim to this system. As a result, a „deficit‟ is created in the parent-child relationship. Personal contact has gradually been replaced by mediated communication through technology. Family as a part of society is absorbing its values and norms from the local to the global level (Giddens, 2006). According to Bronfenbrenner, such changes have strongly damaged the social environment and adversely affected the parent-youth relationship. Individualism is becoming the pre-dominant norm of The Ecological Systems Theory: A Dimension of Understanding the Changing Youth …….. 99 Theoretical Model for the Study The present paper aims to explain the changes among Pakistani youth using Bronfenbrenner‟s theory along with other theoretical debates discussed. On the basis of the theoretical discussion a model has been developed. Figure 1: The model developed for study The present study deployed mixed-methodology. Quantitative research technique was applied to collect data from 600 young respondents belonging to the age group of 20-24 years using self- administered questionnaire. Qualitative data was drawn from parents through in-depth interviews. On the basis of the developed model, a survey was carried out among the postgraduate students of University of the Punjab Lahore. The respondents belonged to Punjab province (70.0 percent), the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (28.5 percent), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (approximately 8.0 percent) and about two percent of respondents were from the Sindh province. Chorono-system: The patterning of environmental events and transitions over the course of life. These maybe external factors like parent‟s death or divorce or some socio-cultural experiences from the immediate surroundings Eco-system: Large social system influencing parent‟s workplace schedule or family based resources. This may also include relations with extended family members like grandparents etc. Meso-system: Influence of parent-school relationship. Influence of religion- neighborhood relationship on the child‟s development. Youth Micro-system: Influence of Family, school, peer-group and neighborhood on the young individual. Macro-system: The global trends influencing the child‟s environment through internet, cable/satellite channels and mobile phone and influence of global consumer culture. Increased skilled/specialized work experience Individual Economic Independence Emerging Adulthood Family Deficit due to changed relations with family, close relatives & neighborhood Identity Confusion Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan – Vol. 55, No. 1, January - July, 2018 100 Changes in Youth in Family Context Applying the Ecological Systems theory, this study attempts to examine the changes in the youth in family environment. These changes have been studied under the following headings: 1. Change in Relations with Family, Friends and Neighborhood According to the Ecological Systems theory the initial three layers of environment (i.e. the Micro-System layer, the Meso-System layer and the Eco- System layer) explain how the nature of contact and relationship of the young individual with his immediate family, friends and neighborhood plays a role in developing his attitudes, values and social identity. In the present study different aspects like emotional bonding, the level of trust, taking persons as role models were taken as indicators of the nature of contact and relationship. In the present study it was seen that out of the total 600 young respondents there were 41.8 percent respondents who „preferred‟ to communicate with family members, using mobile phones/internet instead of having face-to-face meetings. According to parents, one father‟s comments highlights parents perceptions who said: When we were young we used to visit our relatives and friends, but today‟s youth does not have time for such things. The culture of mobile phones has further facilitated (constrained) their lives and removed the hurdle of actually going to meet someone; they just talk on the phone. But looking at the relations within family this material change has not influenced the respect, love and trust among youth and their parents and the „deficit model‟ as indicated by Bronfrenbrenner in the Western family is not being reflected in the Pakistani family based on the selected population. Within the study it was found out that there were 50.1 percent youth who shared their „meaning of success in life‟ with their parents. About 67.1 percent male and 69.1 percent female respondents stated that they always wanted to share their joyful moments with their parents, and 57.6 percent male and 60.6 percent female respondents shared their sad moments with their parents. Moreover the youth remains to look up at their parents for their guidance in life as 76.5 percent male and 75.6 percent female respondents took advice from their parents and about three fourths (68.5 percent) of the respondents, preferred to spend their spare time with parents. Furthermore the youth also had a sentimental relation with their grand-parents but their level of trust was greater with their own parents instead of them. The reason being, that parents could relate more than the grand parents to young children‟s life experiences. This shows that the use of modern communication technology has not affected the level of trust and emotional bonding among parents and their young children. The „Ecological Systems Theory‟ also identifies the importance of the neighborhood in filling the gap of parent-child relationship and replacing the „deficit‟ created in family due to some reason like having a dual earner family, death of any one of the parent or separation etc. The neighborhood is also vital in creating we-group feelings and the mechanical solidarity (Ritzer, 1996) within the community. The present study showed that due to the influence of global values The Ecological Systems Theory: A Dimension of Understanding the Changing Youth …….. 101 the traditional culture of neighborhood bonding has reduced to a significant extent. More than one-half (57.0 percent) of the respondents said that they „rarely‟ visited their neighbors, whereas the culture of visiting near relatives has also reduced to a considerable extent. There were 34.0 percent of the young respondents who reported that they visited their near relatives „only on special occasions‟. This shows that under the influence of globalization, the Pakistani society is gradually moving towards individualism, where personal-relations are becoming less important. The alienation with the neighborhood identified by Bronfenbrenner, working at the Meso-System is visible in the present study, indicating the gap created between the neighborhood and the family. 2. Nature of Influence of global Trends According to the „Ecological Systems Theory‟, at the Macro-system the young individual‟s development is influenced by the global trends through the use of MCT and the influence of consumer culture. This section comprises of two parts in the research; i- The nature of use of MCT ii- How the use of MCT has influenced the personal lives of respondents iii- The nature of change brought about by the influence of global culture i- The nature of use of MCT From the surveyed population some interesting findings were obtained. There were 51.7 percent males and 58.7 percent females of the total population who watched TV (local and satellite channels) for two to ten hours a day. The use of mobile phones was among 88 percent males and 86.6 percent females. Moreover, there were 68.4 percent males and 54.1 percent females who used internet for two to ten hours a day. The purpose of using internet facilities was mostly to „know about latest fashion trends‟ among females and „following sports events from world over‟ among males. Other areas which were explored by youth were „politics‟ (mostly local), „information about different cultures‟, „job opportunities‟ and „health‟. There were mostly girls who used internet for „academic purposes‟ (the reported cases were 70.6 percent). The fathers reported of using the internet in their offices only, as and when needed. The mothers did not use the internet at all, and some of them did not even know how to use it, although they said that they remained vigilant about the use of internet by their young children. The present study showed that watching cable/satellite TV channels has started to become an equally popular trend among the youth and adult population of Pakistan. One reason of not having time to visit relatives and neighbors can be that people spent a lot of their free time watching TV, whereas in the past visiting friends and relatives was also a source of recreation. The trend of watching different satellite/cable on TV was predominantly visible. There were 59.6 percent male and 58.9 percent female respondents who reported that their shopping was influenced by the commercials they had seen on Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan – Vol. 55, No. 1, January - July, 2018 104 3- The culture of economic independence and materialism was less visible among the young respondents. Only 18.0 percent of the respondents reported that their inter-personal relations were influenced by their household income. These included their relations with their friends, teachers and the administrative staff of the institute where they studied. Moreover only a fraction (8.5 percent) of the respondents was self- employed and economically independent. 4- The culture of cousin marriage and having large family size is changing. In the study the preferred number of having children was two or three children. Instead of marrying within the same caste or biradari the preference was to marry in the same religion. Conclusion Due to the increased use of modern communication technology (MCT) the process of perception and attitude development among youth has become a complex process. Using the „Ecological Systems Theory‟ the present study has aimed to explain the complexity of the influence in a multi-linear frame. The present study aims to explain the complexity from local to global influence on youth in which his/her attitudes and perceptions develop in context of parent-child relationship, family, neighbourhood, friends, religion and the local culture. As a result the young individuals are changing towards phenomena like „hybrid identity‟, where the local behaviours and attitudes become blended with global values. As a result the culture of visiting close relatives and neighbourhood has decreased. However the level of trust, love, personal communication and sharing life experiences between the youth and their parents has not been affected. Parents remain to be the role model for their young children and a source of personal guidance. The grand parents are a figure of respect for the youth. According to the present study religion remains to be a social identity among the Pakistani youth, and religious rituals like „saying prayers‟, „reciting Holy Quran‟ and „fasting in the month of Ramadan‟ are followed as symbols of collectivism. The influence of MCT has not brought „identity confusion‟ among the surveyed respondents. They remain to be loyal to their country and religion. However the use of MCT has played a role in attracting the young Pakistani‟s towards the material influence of consumer culture which attracts the young population towards global fashion trends and creates an „acquisitive individualistic mentality‟ (Trentmann, 2004). Moreover the traditional culture of arrange marriages within caste and biradari has somewhat decreased, although marrying within the same religion remains a popular practice among the youth. With an increase in the trend of attaining higher, specialized education among youth the trend of delayed marriages is gradually increasing. Therefore, it can be said that due to the increased use of MCT‟s, the complexity of influence of global culture is increasing. The influence of material culture is dominating among the Pakistani youth however the values due to which Pakistani culture is identified remains embedded in the perceptions and attitudes of the present youth. The Ecological Systems Theory: A Dimension of Understanding the Changing Youth …….. 105 References Afshar, H. (Ed.). (2005). Women and politics in the Third World. London: Routledge. Agarwal, B. (1994). A field of one's own: Gender and land rights in South Asia. Cambridge University Press. Allana, M. (Ed.). (2000). Muslim Women and Islamic Tradition: Studies in Modernization. Kanishka Pub Distributors. Arnett, J. J. (2005). Youth, Cultures and Societies in Transition: The Challenges of Growing up in a globalized World. In F. Gale and S. Fahey (Eds.), Youth in Transition: The challenges of generational change in Asia. AASSREC. Berk, L.E. (2000). Child Development. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1992). Ecological systems theory. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Donnan, H. (1997). Family and Household in Pakistan. In H. Donnan & F.Selier (Eds.), Family and Gender in Pakistan. New Delhi: Hindustani Publishing Corporation. Giddens, A. (2006). Sociology. Cambridge: Polity Press. Government of Pakistan (2016). Pakistan Economic Survey 2015-16. Finance Division, Economic Advisor‟s Wing Islamabad. Hetherington, E. M., Parke, R. D., & Locke, V. O. (1999). Child psychology: A contemporary viewpoint. McGraw-Hill. ISPAK. (2014). Internet Facts. Internet Services Providers Association of Pakistan (ISPAK). Jeffrey, J. (2004). Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Kahn, A. S. (1986). Social Psychology. Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Publishers. Macionis, J.K. (2005). Sociology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Munawar, R. (2006). Women‟s Political Participation and Empowerment: An Analysis of Women‟s Political Participation in Local Government System in Lahore District, Punjab, Pakistan. Unpublished Ph.D dissertation, Institute of Social & Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore. Paquette, D., & Ryan, J. (2001). Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory. Retrieved October 23, 2016, from http://pt3.nl.edu/paquetteryanwebquest.pdf. Putnam, R. D. (1995). Tuning in, tuning out: The strange disappearance of social capital in America. PS: Political science & politics, 28(04), 664-683. Ritzr, G. (1996). Sociological Theory. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Schaefer, R.T. (2002). Sociology: A Brief introduction. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Taniguchi, Masaki. 2002. Masu media (Mass Media). In A. Fukuda and M. Taniguchi (Eds.), Demokurashi No Seijigaku (Political Science of Democracy). Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press. Trentmann, F. (2004). Beyond Consumerism: New Historical Perspectives on Consumption. Journal of Contemporary History, 39(3), 373-401. UNESCO (2013). UNESCO Statistics. Retrieved October 28, 2016 from http;//www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/international-days/world-radio- day-2013/statistics-on-youth