How civilized is civilization today?

How civilized is civilization today?

Well the question gets a little tricky if you really think about it.  Today, I’d like to think our society is civilized.  We don’t run around nude, kill everyone we see, or submit to animal instincts in the streets.  We are above such things, well most of us anyway.  But in truth, how civilized or uncivilized we are can be explained by our core values or morals.  We need moral values to direct our actions and progress; because without them the world would be chaos. 

While morals are a distinct part of us, I believe that everyone has some part of them, whether it is rebellion, snobbery, or deceit that strays from the good core values of society.  This ounce or lake of evil can rock civilization because once released it seems to spread.  

In the novel “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” some of these views are reflected.  Dr. Jekyll represents the good core beliefs of society.  He is a good friend and entertainer.  He is a kind man with a good heart—but this is shrouded by the dark side within him: Mr. Hyde.  Mr. Hyde represents the evil that can leak into a soul or civilization.  Once the evil takes hold it erases all good.  Dr. Jekyll could not keep from turning into Hyde by the end of the novel and his actions got increasingly worse over the course of the story.  He went from wandering the streets at night startling people to murdering a man. 

            In our society today, people allow evil in.  We have murderers and psychopaths and sex offenders who pepper our world with evil.  Thankfully, people don’t succumb to evil just because they see it being done.  We can be considered civilized in that way.  

Boys will be boys

Boys will be Boys

Often times in society things that men do get written off and excused.  Playing in the dirt, wrestling with friends, and playing with toy guns are all considered “phases” that result from the common phrase that “boys will be boys.”  This excuse is widely taken into account for the male race, but would it be as accepted if worded for the female race: girls will be girls? I don’t know. 

What society teaches boys is another unmistakable reason why some bad behavior may occur.  Boys are talked to differently-in a more gruff tone than girls.  There are also common stereotypes associated with boys; they like to get dirty, they like cars and trucks, are subject to like certain colors, that they cannot control themselves, etc.  These things greatly contribute to the way they are raised and how they fit into the mold that society has made for them.  For example, in the case of rape, girls are taught to dress better and to stay in groups.  The real answer shouldn’t be safety tips for women; instead it should be teaching men to control their urges.  Men are capable of this, and it is unnerving sometimes to “teach” the victim what she should have done, instead of going to the root of the problem. 

In a Thousand Splendid Suns, Rasheed teaches his son in line with the views of his society.  He treats him far different then Aziza, and considers him a prized possession.  When Zalmai is bad or is reprimanded by his mother, Rasheed is first to defend his ways.  He considers Zalmai’s actions to be common to a boy’s nature and essentially follows the phrase that “boys will be boys.”  Thus, Zalmai’s behavior is glorified by his father and he later has behavioral problems as a result.  

Stereotypes are engrained in society.  Hopefully one day this will change...

Then and Now

Views on women have changed greatly since the 19^th century.  In previous times, women were regarded as inferior to men.  There were many stereotypes attributed to the female race which included: submissiveness, piety, purity, and domesticity.  Women who strayed from these characteristics may have been ostracized or looked down upon.  A Doll House portrays some of these views of women through the interactions between Nora and her husband Torvald.  Torvold was a puppeteer and Nora was his puppet.  He controlled a lot of what Nora did and she obeyed (at least he always thought so).  Nora behaved obediently at the start of the play, but whenever she did something that was uncharacteristic of a “woman” Torvald said that she was "not acting herself".  This reference refers to a societal view that most women should always be obedient and if they are not then the only explanation is sickness, or temporary madness.               

In today’s society, things have changed dramatically.  Women have become more independent; it has been more socially accepted for them to do so.  Also women have branched out in the workforce; and been given more freedom to do so.   Nowadays, some women are primary providers of their households.  This is a huge shift from the 19^th century when men were the sole providers and workers among their families.  Women are going further in education as well; attending colleges.  Most colleges have more female than male attendance (60/40).  While these positive changes have been made in the U.S. other parts of the world have not been so lucky.  In the Middle Eastern countries, women are still regarded very low.  They must cover themselves completely and are considered inferior to the male race. 

Changes will continually be made which shift the measures of society.  There may be a day when women of all countries get the freedom and equality that they deserve, but for now it can only be wished for.