Peter Espeut | Competing, conflicting values

Whether we are conscious of it or not, our lives are driven by beliefs, norms and values that make up our personal ideologies. None of us is born with beliefs, norms and values; these are learned through interaction with other human beings –first our parents, and then later in school, in church, with our peers, and nowadays, on the Internet. This process is called socialisation.

It is important that as families and societies we share certain core beliefs, norms and values, as these promote social cohesion, and bond us together. It is unlikely (and unnecessary) that we all share all the same beliefs, norms and values, but widely differing and dissonant values can and do lead to conflict and strife, and maybe even to violence.

Therefore, for social, familial and personal peace, it is an important exercise, individually and as a nation, to examine our deeply held beliefs, norms and values to see how valid they are, and how useful they are in building up society, families, and individuals.

Our nation’s Constitution, laws, statutes and regulations codify the shared beliefs, norms and values of society, and as we decide which norms and values we wish to guide our lives, we adjust our legal framework accordingly.

Having said that, I have made the assumption that it is generally agreed that families are the basic unit of society, and that efforts to strengthen the family as a social institution will also strengthen the family in and of itself.

However, as selfishness and individualism gain ascendancy in people’s thinking, the importance of the family and the society has waned. Maybe – as a nation – we need to re-examine and hopefully recommit ourselves to the value and importance of the family in the health of our nation.

Challenge resolving conflicts

In Jamaica today, we face several important conflicts between competing beliefs, norms, and values that can usually be reduced to the struggle between the individual versus society. Resolving these conflicts sometimes is not easy because often, the choice is not always simply between good and bad, but between two goods, or two evils, or between good, better, and best.

What often happens is that powerful interests line up behind their preference and try to force their own way to prevail. These days, when we agree that reason rather than might makes right, we should not give in to the loudest voices, or those with the deepest pockets, but should seriously try to balance the competing values and attitudes – if they are not totally incompatible.

Take the conflict between residents and party promoters. Residents (who often work during daylight hours) have a right to a good night’s sleep, and to peaceful enjoyment of their premises. Party promoters and their affiliates have a right to earn a decent, honest living. But their interests are at odds: The latter want their dances to go on all night until daylight, while the former want to sleep all night until daylight. Must one win and one lose?

Jamaican party promoters want to have their musical sessions outdoors with sound boxes turned up to the max – and go all night. They and their collaborators make a lot of money, and they have political influence. They cry, “No music, no vote!” as they seek to influence the politicians. In their minds, their ‘rights’ trump everyone else’s rights.

In other societies, party promoters are free to go all night if they wish, but they must do so in soundproof, indoor facilities, or in a remote location far from persons who wish to sleep. That way, all groups get to do what they want without negatively impacting others.

But that’s not how we do it in Jamaica: one side pays to get their way, and the other side (usually ordinary Jamaicans – the general public) must suck salt.

Peter Espeut is a sociologist and dean of studies at St Michael’s Theological College. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.