Tradition, Generation and Responsibility

Lars Bergstrom

Karlstad University, Sweden

It is tradition in southern Africa that the extended family constitutes the main “shock absorber” against social occurrences and, not least, means social care throughout the course of life. This clearly concerns care of the elderly which, traditionally, is a moral duty; older people shall, due to their experience and wisdom, be treated with respect. The younger generation is in debt to the elderly, who have given them care, upbringing and knowledge during their adolescence. This brings about practical as well as ethical and moral commitments for the younger generation. To be able to meet these and pass them on, a particular form of life is required and since historical times this has been developed in the traditions of the African rural way of life.

A majority of the nations in southern Africa are developing very fast. The changeover into a modern society, bringing about, for example, urbanization, changed conditions for earning one’s living, public health, HIV/AIDS, other illnesses and alcohol abuse, is changing living conditions and thus the prerequisites of being able to keep up the tradition. To that, add a political ambition to sustain traditional society while, at the same time, developing a completely new social structure that is supposed to evolve and exist in parallel with the old. An example of this is the appeal to young people in respect of further education and qualifications in working life while at the same time the demand for the traditional form of life and social responsibility remains.

The studies I have made show that this, at the present point in time, has consequences and results in problems for both generations. For the older generation, it means insecurity about the future, irrespective of whether one is already in need of support or is expected to receive it, and this applies to practical/material as well as emotional areas. The situation of elderly people, particularly in the urban environment, is unquestionably more and more problematic. The perception among many elderly persons is that young people do not accept their responsibilities.

Many in the younger generation see a future which is difficult to overview and relate to. Living in two systems is complicated; following tradition brings with it a number of practical conflicts and limitations in life, while to renounce tradition is a moral crime that gives rise to social shame. The belief among many young people is that they cannot accept their responsibility.

My paper is about this social and personal dilemma.