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Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2019; 10 (3) 14-18 

 

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Youth Action Against Moral Deterioration 

 

Mehedi Mala Mitu  

Master Student of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology   

North South University, Dhaka 

Email: mitumala043@gmail.com  

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v10i2.50653  

Abstract: In Past, Chinese traveler Fa-hien (14th century) to Ibn batuta (14th century) or from Nicola Kanti 

(15th century) to Queen Elizabeth (20th Century), every travelers and scholars are attracted by the charms 

and fame of Bangladesh. Ibn batuta described Bengal as “a hell full of bounties” and “wealthiest” land of 

the world”. But now a day, along this progress anxiety has proportionately increased. In this present age, 

science and technology are the easily available to common people. The world has come to a handful but 

yet people are still not so happy. As if the demand is insatiable. So, anxiety, apathy, intolerance, fear and 

panic are increased. Morality is deemed declining. Why immorality among young increased is a concern? 

Mark Twain said, “Always do what is right, it will gratify half of mankind”. What is right? a vantage point 

is needed to know. Our moral values which guide us and aids us in our conscious mobility in life.  This 

article tries to find out the cause root of immorality among young generation and how to protect young 

generation from this moral deterioration. 

Key words: youth, new generation, morality, moral deterioration  

 (Some part of this article presented at the 20th Asian Bioethics Conference, 22-25 November 2019, Dhaka, 

Bangladesh).

Introduction: The word “mortality” came 

from a Latin word “Moralis” means 

“character, manner or proper behavior”. 

According to the Merriam- Webster 

dictionary the definition of the word moral is 

“concerning or relating to what is right and 

wrong in human behavior”. Morality is 

generally regarded as a standard or ideal 

criterion which is based on the social 

tradition, culture, religion etc. The literal 

meaning of the word “moral decay” is 

deterioration of the moral value like patience, 

generosity, courtesy etc. 

Inspector general of Bangladesh police 

A.K.M. Shohidul haque said, according to 

psychologists Sigmund Freud’s theory, three 

tendencies are innate in every human being- 

as for example id, ego and superego. The id 

satisfy certain basic needs, such as food, sex, 

power, etc. Under the influence of ego, a 

person can balance everything. Superego can 

bestow superhuman qualities of a person and 

a person can become an inhuman and he does 

not hesitate to commit any crime or heinous 

act with increase in id’s influence. He does 

not even have the sense of laws, sins and guilt 

also transformed into a person of 

unscrupulous and perverted taste. In this type 

of superego is seen Bangladesh. Despite 

immediate legal action against a gang rape 

accused in Subarnachar, Bangladesh, a 

mother of six children was raped within three 

months of this legal action.   



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2019; 10 (3) 14-18 

 

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Actually, good education, self-education and 

the practice of civility are needed to increase 

ego’s influence by suppressing id. At the 

same time, it is essential to provide 

exemplary speedy punishment to the 

perpetrators of such perverted tastes through 

strict enforcement of law including socially 

boycott them. Therefore, this article This 

article has been written to find out the cause 

of deterioration among young generation and 

what are the action need to increase ego’s 

influence by suppressing id. 

 

Cause of Moral Deterioration: There are 

certain reasons behind the moral decay of a 

society, some notable reasons are discussed 

below: 

Lack of proper education: Education is the 

backbone of a nation. The relationship 

between education and development of a 

nation is proportional. Education is the first 

guidance for the world humanity. Because 

only by acquiring knowledge, people can 

understand the difference between truth and 

falsehood, justice and injustice. But 

nowadays most of the education is certificate 

based. Students are falling behind in their 

moral education rather run after to pursuit a 

good result that leading to increasing in moral 

decay. 

Drug availability: Intoxication seems to be in 

the vein of many youth in Bangladesh. The 

number of drug addicts were 1.7 million in 

2001 and in 2019 it is 7.5 million. Drug 

addicts are involved in various crime to 

collect their money to buy drugs. Oishee, a 

drug addicted young girl killed her parents by 

sharp blade. is one of the most unprecedented 

immoral acts in Bangladesh.   

Terror on campus: The campus is a sacred 

place where students will acquire knowledge. 

But unfortunately, terrorism has been 

developed in the student’s politics which 

disrupting the learning environment of the 

university and facing ordinary students 

suffering from insecurity. Terrorism on 

campus is becoming the foothold of moral 

deterioration. The youth must join in a 

healthy politics. Only an honest politician can 

remove corruption from the country.  An 

honest political leader can motivate a 

hundred young people to defend their morals 

and values. Corruption can be eradicated 

from the society by relying on ethics. 

The effect of unemployment: At present, per 

capita income of Bangladesh is about 1,909 

US Dollars. Despite the increase in per capita 

income, Bangladesh has the highest 

unemployment rate among South Asian 

countries. This rate was doubled in the past 6 

years. Poverty is increasing due to the impact 

of unemployment. Although the number of 

higher degrees is increased, but the number 

of qualified job opportunities for them is not 

increased. According to International Labor 

Organization (ILO), 56% Bangladeshi 

involved in workforce feel that they are not 

paid a fair rate. So, some of them get involved 

in various types of immoral activities like 

bribery to fulfill their basic needs. 

Internet access: Every part of the world there 

are 4G, 5G. It takes a second to bring 

everything including pornography in front of 

eyes of young people of Bangladesh like 

other part of the world. Easy access and 

inappropriate use of internet is also 

responsible for moral deterioration. Some 

young people are fascinated by western 

culture and watch inappropriate subjects. As 

a result, number of rape case is increased than 

before. The number of rapes in 2001 was 622. 

In 2019, for first 6 month it was 731 for 

women and 496 for children respectively. 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2019; 10 (3) 14-18 

 

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Age between 6-month-old girl to a 60-year-

old lady seems to not be getting rid from rape. 

So, at present times, moral decadence is like 

an alarming disease to us. 

Breaking down the Traditional system: There 

was a time when children used to greet elders 

and elders used to love children. The elders 

used to rule when someone in the family did 

wrong. But in the evolution of time, these are 

very rare nowadays. Urbanization is taking 

place by breaking down the traditional 

systems. The rule and discipline are being 

loosened specially in city system, causing of 

erosion of moral values. 

Lack of religious education: Religion has a 

great impact on daily life of any human 

being. In Islam it is said that, “the teaching of 

morality is the greatest asset for the 

children”. Not only in Islam but also in all 

religions, moral education has given the 

priority. Children learn good things of 

religion and refrain from bad things. Lack of 

religious education may be one of the causes 

of increase moral deterioration. 

The intrusion of corruption: Currently, 

corruption seems rampage in our society. 

Corruption enter into education, food, 

medicine etc. What will the students learn 

from a corrupted teacher? One of the 

examples of moral decay in education is 

leaking of questions paper of exam. Some 

medical students are taught in “education and 

service”. Therefore, some doctors only run 

after money. Because of less importance has 

been given on medical ethics education while 

they were student. So, there is a lack of moral 

value among them. 

 

Role of Youth Society in Preventing Moral 

Decay: Young society is the most important 

population of a country. They have endless 

vitality than children or older society. They 

are the present and future of Bangladesh. It is 

the youth who brings color to this aging 

world. It is the youth who gives hope to the 

hopeless, who brings changes to a society. 

Their efforts can lead a nation to thrive and 

live-in harmony. From generation to 

generation the youth have been the main 

shield to protect this country. From the 

language movement in 1952 to the liberation 

war in 1971 or from the chaotic situation in 

1990 to the protest for safe road in 2018, the 

young society have kept the soil of the 

country tight. 

But at present, because of the broken family, 

availability of drug, misuse of internet, some 

young generation is on the verge of collapse 

today. Some are creating gang culture in 

different places and getting involved in 

robbery only because of moral decay. They 

forget to practice moral values rather than 

give more importance to enjoyment and 

domination attitude. A book named youth 

and development says, “The descendant of 

the youth is due to the environmental 

reflection bad effects of science and 

technology, state’s apathy and above all, 

family’s indifference.” This deviance of the 

youth is a threat to the country. Young people 

are the future doctors, engineers, 

pharmacists, ministers that means the main 

infrastructure of the country is in their hands. 

So, if they take morality as the standard of 

their ideology, it will then be the sustainable 

development for a country. 

Young society is the state asset and they are 

the main driving force of a country. Only the 

youth can suppress the current anarchy in the 

country. Although we as human beings have 

reached the pinnacle of civilization and the 

pinnacle of humanity. But sadly, we have 

come down further in terms of human beings. 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2019; 10 (3) 14-18 

 

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Love and respect are almost become zero. 

When an animal is born, it’s already an 

animal but when a human child is born, he 

needs to be a human with time by learning 

and transforming moral values. Moral 

education comes from the family. Children 

are given with moral education by family that 

raise them as the future leaders of our society. 

When a child comes out family boundary, 

society also has responsibilities to create 

morality among the children. It is possible to 

create values among the children by 

organizing various social awareness 

programs, discussion meetings and cultural 

programs. 

 

Action Against Moral Deterioration:   

Student Club: Generally, the university 

students are attached with many club 

activities. They can open a club with the need 

for moral education and values. The main 

purpose of this club should be educated 

morally to school children and college 

teenagers. College students need to pay 

special attention in this case because during 

this period of time teenagers are more prone 

to crime. Therefore, they can organize 

various seminars and rallies routinely. They 

can organize mobile library so that every age 

of people can borrow books from them as 

books keep people away from immoral acts. 

Moral Education in Institution: Educational 

institutions are the best place to create 

morality inside a person. When a child leaves 

the family boundary, they enter educational 

institutions first. But it is a pity that at 

present, only science, technical, professional 

subjects are given more emphasis rather 

moral education. As a result, nation is getting 

doctors, engineers but there is no ethics in 

them. So, some doctors become butchers and 

some engineers become corrupted. So moral 

education is essential in institution. 

University authority should come forward to 

show interest in incorporating morality in the 

syllabus. 

Avoid internet addiction: Young society must 

always choose the true path. They should use 

internet accurately. Always accept things 

those are good and they should not spend too 

much time on social media rather concentrate 

on reading various types of constructive 

literature and books in internet. Young 

generation can make small messages on 

moral values and its importance and send it 

to others. However, they can make short 

stories or drama to raise awareness about 

moral decay by posting it on social media.  

Create employment: Unemployment is the 

cause of moral decay for most young men and 

women. They are suffering from depression 

as they are not getting jobs even after getting 

higher education. Out of that frustration, they 

are engaging in various immoral activities. 

So, they have to build themselves as 

successful entrepreneurs from their 

respective places and not just rely on the 

administration. Those who are successful 

entrepreneurs can make people aware by 

organizing seminars or discussion meetings. 

This will reduce unemployment as well as 

moral decaying. 

Sports: The youth has to be playful. They 

have to involve themselves in all kinds of 

sports like cricket, football, volleyball, 

badminton. Because playing keeps both mind 

and body fresh. For entertainment they 

should not rely on smartphone rather they can 

play various types of sports. 

Religion: The essence of every religion is 

discipline and values. Religion is one of the 

tool for creating moral education. By 



Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2019; 10 (3) 14-18 

 

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practicing religion properly, the youth will be 

able to protect them from moral decaying. 

 

Conclusion: Today's young woman is the 

bearer of the next generation. Napoleon said, 

“Give me an educated mother and I will give 

you an educated nation”. So, it is very 

important for young woman to have moral 

education. A child who learns morality from 

an early age cannot do anything bad thing in 

the future. It is not possible to prevent from 

this moral decay overnight. This requires 

long-term planning. Who doesn't want a 

country where there will be no violence, no 

food adulteration, have security for girls, no 

corruption, no fear of death on the streets? 

Who doesn't want such a country? It is true 

that the country became independent in 1971, 

but in order to ensure the true independence 

of all citizens, the youth must come forward 

to resort morality. Youth have to stand by the 

side of this endangered humanity and all the 

moral decaying of the society with the strong 

wind of their youth. How fire purifies gold 

from impurities, moral values do the same to 

us. Moral values are as important as the air 

we breathe, moral values are as important as 

the water we drink. Moral values make us 

human. Moral values are what makes life 

worth-living for ourselves and for others. 

Moral education may increase ego’s 

influence by suppressing id. 

 

Acknowledgement: I would like to thank Prof 

Shamima Lasker, Professor & Head of Anatomy, 

Shahabuddin Medical College for her feedback on 

various versions of this paper. I express my gratitude 

to her for giving me opportunity to publish this article. 

I also thanks to Dr Sharmin Islam for encouraging me 

to write this article. 

 

 

 

 

 

References:  

1. Angelo Valenti, Always do what is right. It will 

gratify half of mankind and astound the other. – Mark 

Twain. 2018. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/always-do-what-

right-gratify-half-mankind-astound-other-valenti 

(Accessed Nov 2019) 

2.Definition of moral. https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/moral  (Accessed Nov 2019) 

3.Drug addiction Bangladesh.  Dhaka Tribune, 27th 

February, 2019 

4.Inspector general of Bangladesh police A.K.M. 

Shohidul haque . Daily News Kaler Kantho, 16 April, 

2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

5.Per capita income of Banglades. Daily News 

Prothom Alo, 19th March, 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

6.Rape cases in Bangladesh. Bangladesh. Daily News 

Protidin, 20th April, 2019 

 

 

 

7.Shamima Lasker and Arif Hossain. Teaching of 

bioethics in medical schools in Bangladesh. Eubios 

Journal of Asian and International Bioethics 2008; 

18(6): 180-81. 

8.Shamima Lasker and Arif Hossain. Introduction of 

bioethics and its necessity in Bangladesh 

Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2010; 1(1):2. 

9.Utah state board of education career and technical 

education. Causes of crime. 2016.   

Https://www.uen.org/lawenfstudent/downloads/le_ch

3.pdf  (Accessed October 2019) 

 

Authors’ contribution: Author conceived the idea of 

the paper.  She involved in the literature search, 

manuscript writing and revision. 

Conflict of interest: None to disclose

 


