Cultural Lagging Norms: Why Society is Struggling to Keep Up with Technological Progress
It is no secret that technological progress has been growing at an unprecedented rate. With new inventions and advancements in science, society has enjoyed benefits like higher efficiency, better communication, and enriched life experiences. However, the speed of technological progress has left society struggling to keep up with it. In this article, we will explore cultural lag and why society finds it challenging to adjust to technological progress.
What is Cultural Lag?
Cultural lag is the concept that refers to the delay in adapting to new cultural norms that arise due to technological advancements. Technological progress provides us with new ways of living, working and communicating, but our culture takes time to catch up with the changes brought in by technological advancements. The delay in accommodating new social norms in society is called cultural lagging.
Cultural Lag and Social Norms
Social norms are the mores, values, and beliefs that society adopts. They play a crucial role in maintaining stability, order, and social structure. Traditionally, social norms have been slow to change. However, technological progress triggers disruption in social norms and creates new forms of behavior. For example, the invention of social media has introduced new norms of interaction, which people are still trying to follow or keep up with, leading to cultural lag.
Causes and Effects of Cultural Lagging Norms
Several factors cause cultural lag. One key factor is that social norms are slower to evolve compared to technological progress. Another factor is that technological progress, powered by influential corporations, sometimes undermines traditional social norms and values. For example, the emergence of digital commerce disrupts traditional business and shopping experiences. The significant increase in online shopping has resulted in a decline in traditional businesses, leading to layoffs, which a society slow to adapt might struggle with.
Cultural lag can have both positive and negative effects on society and the economy. It can lead to positive change by allowing people to adjust to changes without jarring disruption to established social norms. However, it can also lead to negative consequences like social exclusion, inequality, and resistance to change.
Conclusion
Cultural lagging norms are becoming a growing concern in today’s society. The rapid pace of technological progress has created a cultural clash that stems from a misalignment of social norms and advanced technology. Society must address these challenges by adapting quickly to new technological changes that create and disrupt social norms.
Adapting to cultural lag requires policymakers, corporations, and individuals to work together to reinvent social norms and work designs to accommodate emerging technologies. While it may take time, society will eventually evolve to keep up with the progress being made, and representatives must ensure that they are not leaving anyone behind as they do so.
