Our society is now passing through a wide range of crises. If one listens closely within any family, countless stories of joy and sorrow can be heard. In many cases, the smiles are artificial, while invisible tensions continue to strain relationships beneath the surface. There are many developments that are weakening and tearing society apart from within, leaving it fragile-much like a decaying bone.
Relationships between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law are deteriorating. Sons who once would eat only from their mother’s hands now no longer have time for their mothers. Beloved daughters who have entered higher education institutions are now seen holding lit cigarettes. At gatherings with friends or lively parties, they are consuming intoxicating drinks. Brilliant young men and women are becoming immersed in drugs, online gambling or even more dangerous pursuits, ultimately ruining their lives. Some marry friends from different religious backgrounds and become estranged from their families and relatives. Parents, too, are losing the courage to discipline their children. Young men who borrow money in search of prosperity abroad sometimes end up dead in the sea or deep forests, leaving their families destitute. Even those who manage to migrate legally often return home to find they have already lost everything. Some lose their fathers, others their mothers. In some cases, wives elope with others after taking the hard-earned money sent home from abroad. Highly educated working women also face numerous problems. Some suffer from fertility issues, while others struggle with the anxieties of raising children. Divorce rates are rising alarmingly.
Extramarital affairs are spreading like an epidemic. Live-in relationships are also increasing. The virtual world of mobile phones is gradually consuming people’s real and beautiful personal lives. Nobody wishes well for others anymore. Close friends are turning into dangerous enemies. Alongside this, political instability, the race to become wealthy quickly, unemployment and frustration have made violence, clashes and killings almost routine. Some people are murdered brutally, while others take their own lives. The killing of child Ramisa shocked and grieved the nation. Even university teachers are no longer able to remain safe, fatherly figures for students. From the state to the family, values and ideals appear to be disappearing everywhere.
Bangladesh’s social structure is generally described as conservative. This stems from a long historical, religious, economic and cultural background. Through thousands of years of social evolution, people in this region have attached great importance to family, religion, traditions and social norms. As a result, although modern influences have entered society, conservatism still has deep roots. Ancient Bengali society was primarily agrarian. In those village-centred communities, people’s lives revolved around land, family and religious practices. Since stability and social order were vital in an agricultural society, people felt more comfortable following established customs than embracing change. The family was the centre of social life. Respecting elders’ decisions, protecting family honour and maintaining social status were considered important values.
During the medieval period, the spread of Muslim rule deeply influenced Bengali society through Islamic culture. At the same time, caste-based Hindu customs also held strong influence. Religious values thus became the principal regulator of social behaviour. Dress, relations between men and women, marriage, festivals and family decisions all became increasingly shaped by religious and social norms. This trend largely continued during the colonial period. Although Western education and modern thought expanded under British rule, they remained mostly confined to urban and educated middle-class circles. The vast rural population continued to live according to traditional practices. Religious and cultural identity also became politically significant during anti-British movements. As a result, even though modernity entered society, conservative social structures did not entirely collapse.
After the partition of India in 1947, religious identity became even more significant in East Pakistan. The Pakistani state used Islamic identity as a political foundation, influencing social life as well. Although Bengali nationalism later gave birth to independent Bangladesh through the Liberation War, religious values and family conservatism largely remained intact in social reality. Since independence, urbanisation, the spread of education, women’s participation in the workforce and globalisation have transformed society. Younger generations, in particular, have become more accepting of personal freedom, women’s rights and cultural diversity. Yet family-centred values, social shame, religious sentiment and community pressure remain powerful.
As a result, Bangladeshi society now reflects a dual reality: a desire for modernity on one hand and a strong tendency to preserve tradition on the other. Conservatism in Bangladesh is shaped not only by religion, but also by agrarian traditions, family-centred culture, colonial history, political transformations and concerns about social security. Another reason for this conservatism is economic and social insecurity. Amid long-standing poverty, political uncertainty and social instability, people have viewed family and religion as safe refuges. Therefore, deviation from established values is often seen as socially risky. However, conservatism is not static; society continues to evolve, and there remains the possibility of a future balance between tradition and modernity.
Today, however, society is going through a strange transformation. Although it still appears strong and tradition-bound from the outside, numerous internal crises are weakening it from within. The foundations upon which society stands — family, values, social trust and mutual respect — are gradually eroding. As a result, society seems to be silently collapsing from the inside.
The greatest change has occurred within the family structure. Joint families were once the principal foundation of social security. Now, because of urbanisation, economic pressure and increasingly individualistic lifestyles, families have become smaller. Distances have emerged between parents and children, and among siblings. Many people living under the same roof are emotionally disconnected. Family dialogue has diminished, while loneliness has increased.
Technology and social media are also major drivers of social change. People now spend more time in virtual spaces than nurturing real relationships. Consequently, empathy and human connection are weakening. A culture of abuse, hatred, humiliation and division on social media is becoming normalised. Differences of opinion are increasingly treated as hostility. This is reducing tolerance and creating a crisis of trust within society.
Economic inequality is another major cause of social fragmentation. While a small group of people accumulates immense wealth, many others face uncertainty about their livelihoods. This disparity breeds frustration, anger and social resentment. When people see that power, corruption and influence are more effective than hard work, faith in morality declines.
Political polarisation is also deeply affecting society. There is a growing tendency to view people with differing political views not merely as opponents, but as enemies. This affects families, friendships and social relationships, damaging mutual ties. When emotion becomes more powerful than reason, and revenge stronger than tolerance, social unity weakens.
Another major issue is the crisis of values. Honesty, respect, social responsibility and morality are no longer central to social practice as they once were. The desire for rapid success is pushing many people towards shortcuts. As a result, corruption, fraud and dishonesty are spreading socially. When dishonest and cunning individuals appear more successful than honest people, the younger generation becomes confused.
Cultural change is also intensifying internal tensions. Globalisation is introducing new ideas and lifestyles, which is natural. However, because society is often unprepared, conflicts emerge between traditional values and new realities. Differences in outlook between younger and older generations are worsening this crisis.
Society does not collapse suddenly; rather, its internal bonds gradually weaken. Family distance, social intolerance, economic inequality, political division, moral decline and technology-driven isolation are steadily eroding society’s inner strength. Yet crises also create possibilities. If family, education, culture and human values are once again prioritised, society may regain balance and strength.
Restoring discipline to society is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement agencies; it is a collective duty shared by the state, families, educational institutions, political leadership, the media and ordinary citizens. Society remains stable only when people possess morality, responsibility, mutual respect and trust in justice. As these foundations have weakened, social instability has increased. Therefore, restoring order requires multidimensional initiatives.
Firstly, the family must once again be strengthened as the primary foundation of society. A child’s first lessons come from the family. If honesty, discipline, tolerance and humane behaviour are practised within the family, society will benefit positively. The relationship between parents and children should not merely involve financial support, but also the cultivation of ideals and values.
Secondly, the education system must move beyond being solely exam-oriented and place greater emphasis on moral and civic education. Educational institutions should promote discipline, social responsibility, respect for differing opinions and rational thinking. Education should not only produce successful professionals, but also good human beings.
Thirdly, the rule of law must be ensured. When people see influential individuals escaping punishment despite committing crimes, ordinary citizens lose their inclination to obey the law. Discrimination in the application of law creates resentment and distrust. Therefore, equal justice for all — regardless of political identity, wealth or power — is essential.
Fourthly, tolerance must be restored to political culture. Viewing differing opinions as enemies divides society. Political parties should exercise restraint in language and behaviour and maintain minimum respect towards opponents, because political conflict ultimately spreads throughout society itself. Since the birth of independent Bangladesh, every political transformation, movement, military coup and mass uprising has solved certain crises while simultaneously creating new ones.
Fifthly, awareness and responsibility in the use of social media must be increased. False information, propaganda, abusive language and hateful rhetoric fuel tension and division. Technology should connect people positively rather than isolate them.
Sixthly, measures must be taken to reduce economic inequality. People who live for long periods amid deprivation and uncertainty easily become frustrated and angry. Greater employment opportunities, fair wages and social security would increase social stability.
The media and cultural sphere also have major roles to play. Society should highlight not only conflict, tension and division, but also positive examples of humanity, honesty and social solidarity. Culture shapes people’s minds, and healthy cultural practices help stabilise society.
Ultimately, the key to restoring order in society lies in mutual respect and moral leadership. Laws may temporarily control people, but in the long run, a society survives through conscience, values and mutual trust. Therefore, to make society more humane, not only the state but every citizen must act responsibly and compassionately from their own position. People must remain respectful towards one another and perform their respective duties honestly. Happiness must be rediscovered within the family itself. Because when society breaks down, families break down. And when families break down, human hearts break as well.
Writer: Executive Editor, Bangladesh Pratidin
