Cultural erosion linked to rise in social issues – Dr Naisilisili

The breakdown of our cultural ties is one of the great impacts of the rise of social issues in our iTaukei community.

While speaking to fijivillage News, former lecturer at the University of the South Pacific, Dr Sereima Naisilisili says in the last 16 years or so, many children do not even know or understand the values of culture and it has been resulting in the increase of social issues.

Dr Naisilisili says we must go back to our roots and reconnect with what we have lost.

She says things that define us such as respect and the taboo relationship, are now broken.

The former lecturer says parents and the elderly in the village should teach their children and also the adults need to be taught cultural values.

She adds we need to recognise every individual matters and requires our attention by providing space for them to express themselves, along with teaching them our values.

Dr Naisilisili also highlighted that we need time because we understand that as children grow up, it's not just about teaching them, they also need to observe by seeing their parents live out these values makes sense to them, as they learn much more through observation.