Is it important for traditions to be passed down to the younger generations?
- sn pubs
- Mar 31, 2021
- 2 min read
Traditions. What exactly are Traditions? The Cambridge dictionary has defined Tradition as a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group continue to follow for a long time. Traditions include the language we communicate in, the religion we follow, the food we eat, the festivals we celebrate, the clothes we wear and the customs we follow.
So, why are traditions so significant?
Firstly, traditions represent a critical piece of our culture. They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes who we are today and in the future. A piece of us will be missing, causing us to lack complete identity if we do not recognise who we are and where we came from. For instance, if our ancestors were immigrants, traditions not only allow us to celebrate the culture they came from, but also enable us to understand our identity more deeply.
Secondly, with the preparation that it often involves, like the decorations, songs and food, traditions give us something to look forward to, season after season. Additionally, it conveys a sense of stability as the same traditions are repeated again and again. Traditions represent a critical part of a sequence as we develop a sense of time passing by. Take Chinese New Year as an example, Chinese New Year is one of the traditional festivals we always look forward to. Why? During Chinese New Year, the red packets we receive are always what excites us. Additionally, there are many traditional foods which we would consume during the Chinese New Year visits to our relatives’ houses. These include pineapple tarts, bakkwa … etc. With the preparation that Chinese New Year involves, it often requires us to interact and work together with our family members, allowing us to strengthen family bonds.
Lastly, traditions remain an easy way to pass on a social heritage through generations. These traditions include culture, values and morals. It can assist us, primarily the younger generations to define our moral compass in life, to understand where we come from and who we are. It also encourages us to embrace our ancestors’ knowledge, wisdom and experiences, in hopes of a more meaningful life. Examples would be reinforcing the importance of faith through daily family prayer; inculcating the value of education, reading, and life-long learning through nightly bedtime stories; and instilling the centrality of familial solidarity through regular family dinners or activities.
In conclusion, I firmly believe traditions must be passed down to the younger generations. Traditions are a part of our identity. With traditions, we can better understand our identity. They give us a sense of stability as the same traditions are repeated year after year and are essential in passing down our social heritage compromising culture, values and morals.
References:
Law Xuan Ping
3 Truth
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