Cultural moral values in proverbs vis-à-vis the trends of immorality among the Batooro youths of Kyenjojo district

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the cultural moral values in proverbs visa vis the trends of immorality among the batooro youths of Kyenjojo District basing on the following objectives of the study; to examine the trend of immorality among the Batooro youths in Kyenjojo, to establish proverbs that promote morality among the Batooro youths, to find out the factors that are responsible for ineffective promotion of morality among the Batooro youths, and to examine how proverbs can be disseminated to contribute to the solution of immorality. The study design was cross-sectional in nature, both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed 173 comprising of 108 youths 43 elders, 8 local leaders, 8 civil local leaders and 5 religious leaders were considered. Data was collected by the use of questionnaire and interview guide. Questionnaire was constructed on the computer using Statistical Packages for Social Scientist (SPSS). Analysis was done basing on Frequency tables and graphs. Data from interviews was transcribed from oral into written format ready for analysis. Based on the analysis of the responses to various proverbs, it is clear that the participants hold a variety of beliefs and attitudes regarding cultural and moral values. The results suggest that there is a concerning trend of immorality among some Batooro youths in Kyenjonjo, which may be attributed to the breakdown of traditional values and a lack of respect for cultural and religious norms. Issues such as premarital sex, teenage pregnancy, violence, online fraud, theft, bullying, dishonesty, and disrespect for elders have been identified as prevalent concerns. The majority of respondents do not believe that negative economic freedom, misunderstanding of democratization, the new migratory labor system, or lack of African cultural knowledge are responsible for the ineffective promotion of morality. Based on the responses, it appears that using proverbs as a tool for promoting morality among Batooro youths is seen as a promising approach. This may involve incorporating proverbs into all levels of education and working collaboratively with parents, teachers, religious leaders, and policymakers. It is recommended that Schools and universities should include cultural and moral education as part of their curriculum. This can include teaching proverbs and other cultural values, promoting respect for elders, and educating students about the consequences of immoral behavior.