Social and Religious Change in Ireland in the Last Ten Years - Report Example

Ireland Social and Religious Change in the Last Ten Years (1998-2008) Ireland has exhibited impressive economic progress in the last decade. Economicprogress has cemented the society with liberty. This has resulted in modernisation, urbanisation and a wide conceptual shift in the social and religious attitude of people. While social changes are moving forward towards a high standard of life in the society, there are notable drawbacks in terms of consumerism, violence and social divide. The highly religious Irish society has less concern for religious faith and the clergy. They have moved their style of living into a materialised world by shedding their traditional values for family and religion. The paradigm shift in the social and religious culture of Ireland is due to the outcomes of globalisation and economic development that gives more liberty for the individual to overcome boundaries of faith and tradition. The following factors give an in depth picture about the social and cultural changes in Ireland in the last ten years. 1. Social Changes in Ireland in the last ten years i. Transition of the Irish Society The Irish society has undergone tremendous changes due to the unprecedented level of economic progress in the last decade. The traditionally, stable and secluded Irish families have undergone changes at a faster pace and has resulted in increased rate of divorce, increase in the number of single parents, divorce and break down and shared living of unmarried couples. The involvement of the Catholic Church is high challenged due to these moral and ethical problems. Religious involvement in societal issues was earlier highly respected in Ireland. But Irish society is now changing to become a more secularised nation due to the misconduct of a minority of religious leaders. ii. Material Possession and consumerism. With the rapid development of the economy Irish people have become more consumerist. Their priority is now to own properties and materials. Though living in own house is the desire of Irish families, apartments are widely used due to the high cost of living. iii. Irish society has transformed to highly modernised living The impact of economic development has increased the standard of living. Irish people now use designer clothes, travel to exotic destinations and use modern equipments for domestic use. iv. Increased corruption and tax evasion The increase in affluence has resulted in unprecedented amount of corruption by bureaucrats and non payment of tax by the public (Higher Education in Ireland: Reviews of National Policies for Education. 2006. p.117) v. Increase in the rate of crime, alcoholism and drug abuse Though there is an increase in the rate of crime and drug abuse, Irish society is far behind many other developed nations. But the immediate increase has led to a shock about the society which was less exposed to this kind of crime. Teenagers and young people are now more prone to drink irrespective of the consequence to health and involve in violence. vi. Poverty Though Ireland has registered good economic progress a 2003 report states that Ireland continues to have high levels of poverty in Europe (p.118) vii. Education Social changes have kept the interest of Irish people towards education with high regard. This has resulted in the adequate supply of teachers and policy makers give importance to education. Education is now related to national planning and finds significance for economic, social and cultural progress (p.122). viii. Social changes due to Immigration Large scale Immigration has paved for the integration of these communities into the political system of Ireland. Integration is given much importance because analysts like Dr.Fanning feel that good dialogue with immigrants is possible only when they are also in the discussion room. This is a foresight for future requirements in the society and social policy. Integration of immigrants in the society through political involvement will solve the requirements of different people with varying needs (Kate Hickey. 2007). 2. Religious Changes in Ireland in the last decade i Attitude of the Irish society towards the Church The Church no longer has the moral monopoly in Ireland. The change in the religious attitude of people is due to the modernisation of the country as well as the European Union (Tovey, H. & Share, P. 2003. p.404) ii Non religious upbringing The shift in the attitude towards religion is due to the social upbringing of children with a secularised and modernised thought in primary socialisation. iii Irish society is comparatively religious There are also arguments that the Irish society believes in God and have a better faith than any other society in the world with an exception of Philippinos. iv Decrease in Confessions There is a considerable decline in the number of people who confess. This change is attributed to the change in the approach of people towards religion. Religion is now viewed from the perspective of theological and pastoral examination and people are not much interested in using the holy water, retreat, pilgrimage and religious medals. v Degree of religious faith The most religious people in Ireland are affluent and primary educated and widows who are above the age of fifty one while the least religious are people who are tertiary educated and those who have not completed secondary education. vi Religious vocations experience a decline In Ireland the number of candidates who undergo training to become a priest or nun is decline. A 1998 survey states that parents are not apprehensive about their child’s religious career (Tovey,H. & Share, P. 2003. p.408). vii Transition from catholic Ireland to secular Ireland Ireland’s people were once called God’s people because they practiced more than what the Catholic Church wanted. Irish people went to the church and participated in the Holy Communion and confession. Church was also a meeting place for neighbors and friends. Religious faith of Ireland was considered as high when compared to the lesser religious England. But the respect for clergymen and the religion has decline in the wake of urbanization. Off late, pilgrimage of Irish people has also come under criticism. Pilgrimages are questioned for its sanctity. There is a criticism that people conduct pilgrimage for pleasure and not out of devotion (Why Ireland really lost its religion. 2008). viii Attitude of young people towards religion and attendance in church There is a paradigm shift in the attitude of young people towards attending weekly Eucharist celebration. Social and cultural changes are considered to be basic factors that influence young people from not attending the church at least one in a week. Irish culture has now embraced the Western culture of fashion and modernity and it is moving towards an era of post modernism. The young Irish population does not place faith and regard for religious institutions. However, these young people are going in search of communities which has much enthusiasm and energy which the clergy should recognize and take initiatives to hold young people close to the church and religious faith. Religious educator can play a significant role in retrieving the eroding religious faith of Irish people (Brennan, O.V. 1999). Reference Brennan, O.V. January 1, 1999. Cultural change in Ireland: The religious education and pastoral care of youth. Available: http://fordham.bepress.com/dissertations/AAI9975339/ Accessed on October 13, 2008. Higher Education in Ireland: Reviews of National Policies for Education. 2006. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Kate Hickey. 2007.Immigration and Social Change in the Republic of Ireland. Available: http://www.ucd.ie/ucdtoday/1007_october_07/UCD%20Today%20Oct%2007%2013.pdf Accessed on October 13, 2008. Tovey,H. & Share, P. 2003. Sociology of Ireland. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan Ltd Why Ireland really lost its religion. September 13 2008. Available: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/why-ireland-really-lost-its-religion-1474673.html Accessed on October 13, 2008. Read More