Moral challenges of the youth in the Awutu Efutu community: Social and religious significance

Abstract

In this contemporary and complex world youth face all kinds of problems and challenges, especially with moral issues. The youth of Awutu Efutu Community are no exception. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to draw attention to the moral challenges that youth in the Awutu Efutu Community face. The researcher therefore identified the causes of indiscipline among the youth of the Awutu-Efutu traditional community. Evaluation of the role of traditional moral values was made and traditional and religious practices that could be harnessed and adapted to solving moral problems among youth of Awutu-Efutu was done. To achieve these objectives a pilot study was done in the Winneba area. The qualitative method for research was used. This methodology was chosen for the fact that the study was basically and essentially societal: issues concerning an identified population and community. Support for the methodology chosen is obtained from Bryman (2001, p.506) who says, “...qualitative research usually emphasizes words rather than qualifications in the collection and analysis of data” I found out that their misdemeanours stemmed mostly from poor home training, peer group pressure, ineffective guidance and counselling, ineffective moral training in school, indulgent home and school environment, and faulty social and religious practices. My conclusion was that much attention and effort ought to be given to the training of the adult of tomorrow who is the youth of today, and it must start at home, with the use of the formal and non-formal methods of moral education.