Fear of Reprisal |
|
The confrontation and ensuing scuffle between the police and the ‘University area’ youth Halloween night and a day later is a good example of the growing disrespect for law and order that has, for the last decade, been prevalent in our ‘children’ who, in the near future, will be the voting citizenry of our society. The question in every ones mind is why is this casual affront to social justice so widespread and looked upon by the participants as just ‘having a good time’ and ‘partying’. Where is the line between simple social taunting and outright distrust and bold rejection of civil conformity? Drugs, alcohol and the permissive media undoubtedly contribute to the sense of comradeship among those who are the most flagrant in their visibility as rebels, but there also is a disturbing lack of fear of reprisal for those who flaunt societies rules. Social Psychologists, consoling their worth, offer varying explanations for this rift in generational levels, more often than not, deferring to ‘Kids will be kids". ‘Fear of reprisal’ is an emotional element of society taught at an early age in all the species on Earth. ‘Break the rules’ equals ‘Punishment’ is a survival tool necessary for our existence in this life. Once this tool has been breached the consequences saturate many arenas of society, usually with devastating effects. The infant knowledge of right and wrong and the constant challenge to levels of these rules are what is commonly called modernization. Enforcing these rules modernize as well. The rules themselves are modified to fit public acceptance. Severe penalties, in drab confinement, once the pillar of strength in the ‘Fear of Reprisal’, has lost its ‘consequence’ to the socialists efforts to re-claim these wayward souls. The quality of life in incarceration and the embarrassing stigma of its application has improved to the point of nearing ‘hero’ status to its occupants. Maybe its time to revive the ‘Rock Pile' and the 10 pound sledge hammer that came with the striped suit when the term, 'jail' was a cause for true 'Fear of Reprisal'.
|
|
|