Identity crisis

Published June 17, 2026 Updated June 17, 2026 09:01am

GLOBALISATION has encouraged cultural exchange. People can now learn about different traditions, languages and life-styles from across the world within no time. While opening doors of opportunities, globalisation tends to make weaker people less comfortable with their own national or native identities, and they want to adopt the values and cultural norms of ‘modern’ societies. They are abandoning what used to be their identity. If things continue to move this way, a global culture would soon replace local representation.

Having said that, a rigid attitude towards decades-old cultural practices in the face of rapid globalisation is an equally negative attribute. Customs and practices that hamper social progress must be done away with when they start limiting human potential. People should accept that change is, in fact, the only constant in life.

As such, globalisation, when approached correctly, is never a threat to cultural values. Young people should confidently showcase local identity and leave those things that go against common sense.

Aimen Abdul Wahid
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026

Opinion

Editorial

Spoiler alert
17 Jun, 2026

Spoiler alert

AFTER the temporary peace deal between the US and Iran is physically signed in Geneva on Friday, an arduous process...
Storm-tested cities
17 Jun, 2026

Storm-tested cities

THE deaths caused by the latest spell of monsoon rains in KP and Punjab illustrate how quickly severe weather can...
Chakwal tragedy
17 Jun, 2026

Chakwal tragedy

A NINE-year-old girl is dead because a Punjab Crime Control Department gunman mistook her family’s car for a...
A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...