Repercussions of the casual

Order and discipline must replace the lazy fashion of all things casual if national unity, stability and security are to be maintained, writes Mohsen Zahran*

---

Since the late 1960s and 1970s, casual wear, together with the casual look, attitudes and conduct, have taken the world by storm, including, of course, Egypt. By the end of the 20th century, the rise of the communication and information revolution, together with globalisation and cyberspace technology, has enabled faster and wider dissemination of knowledge, especially regarding habits, fast food, progressive ways of life, including "casual dress mania". The casual way of life has not only undermined formal dress, formal looks, as well as a formal outlook, but more importantly, and of greater consequence, it has shaken respect for authority, the elderly, the learned and the clergy. In addition, the repercussions of the casual have surpassed that of the rejection of formality, rebellion against traditional values, and disrespect for social norms. It has threatened the roots of adherence to legality and shaken attachments to the values of morality.

Some observers are quick to point out that this drastic change in the individual and social behaviour in Egypt has been due to economic reasons, poverty, deprivation and corruption, as well as national tragedies, failures, wars and disappointments. However, the majority concur that globally, casual wear, casual attitudes, casual performance and casual conduct, coupled with the sweeping wave of anti-formality and anti- establishmentarianism, have had earlier beginnings. They generated and maintained the protest movements in the US against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and the student revolution in 1968 in France. They were also echoed in the student uprising in Cairo and Alexandria in the late 1960s and the food riots in Cairo in the 1970s, regardless of the political proponents and instigators behind those anti-government demonstrations.

Ironically enough, in running for public office, even elderly politicians have capitalised on the casual look and outlook during their election campaign in order to portray fallaciously to reluctant voters a false youthful outlook to signify an energetic, healthy and promising image of his or her candidacy.

The repercussions of the general adoption of the casual by almost all individuals and groups in Egypt, as elsewhere, have shown that those who maintain the formal look and outlook are exceptions; they are looked upon as odd, conservative and old-fashioned. The infiltration of casual wear, casual moods and conduct among the multitudes, regardless of class, sex, colour, creed, origin or social and economic group, has intensified the anti- establishment, anti-formal and anti-legal feelings among the people towards any and all symbols of authority, law, order, discipline, rules, regulations, no matter whoever, wherever and whenever those who stand for them. The law-abiding citizen and the gatekeepers are in danger. This has resulted in de facto disintegration of bonds at the family and social levels, detachment from tradition, resistance of standard formats or established norms, as well as the dissolution of age-old traditions or moral boundaries.

This massive dissemination of "casual mania" in the psyche of the nation has created and justified new conditions and new situations; new attitudes and conduct befitting the new rules of the informal, the casual and the uncommitted, no matter how this was intolerable, unacceptable, or repulsive in some circles decades ago.

Manifestations, ramifications and repercussions of the new status quo are multiple and have taken root in all aspects, levels and activities of the daily life of the common man as well as the community at large. These include: shantytowns, squatters, illegal parking, traffic chaos, cluttered rooftops, crowded billboards, kaleidoscopic building forms, colours and styles, blankets of dust and dirt, conflicting and awkward displays of dressing and attire (suits, galabeyas, pyjamas, gowns, veils, hats, scarves, hoods, uniforms, sandals, loafers, sneakers, boots and slippers, etc). Other examples include: visual, cultural and environmental noise, air, land and water pollution, usurpation of public and private property, sexual assault, insulting conduct, foul language, aggressive behaviour, disloyalty, corruption, dishonesty, bribery, immorality, chaos, apathy, disintegration of the family and social cohesion, lack of attachment, absence of belonging, lack of commitment, avoidance of involvement in and lack of support for public causes, etc. This is a great threat to national peace, unity, loyalty, stability and security.

Most crucial and penetrating, and that is almost incurable and irreparable, is the evaporation of the intangible bond of the family and the community. The cost of the deterioration and damage of intangible thresholds and ethical borders that govern social and human relationships is astronomical and, indeed, painful to all, especially future generations. Alas, the repercussions of the casual form and conduct have drowned many human values and reshaped most attitudes and personal behaviour. It has eroded respect for and loyalty to parents and the elderly, threatened the sacred student/teacher relationship and has undermined the work ethic and respect between management and employees at various institutions and establishments, public and private. Regrettably, fear of punishment, shame or retribution has vanished, allowing children, the young and the old each to do his or her own thing, no matter what, so long as they can get away with it, regardless of social condemnation, legal action or public denunciation. "Casual mania" has infected fatally the heart of human conduct and human integrity.

It is high time we rose above the swelling current of the casual look and casual conduct and uphold sanity, spirituality, morality, order and discipline -- the very matter that cements together social and human relationships. It is mandatory for all, especially holders of public office, teachers and parents, to set examples of integrity and respect of law, order, tradition and discipline. They must demonstrate to all the way to uphold human values and commitment to the rule of law and formality, as well as adherence to ethical conduct and moral boundaries. These are the essential generators of a sane, comprehensive renaissance, and the springboard of the resuscitation of the national conscience. This is the only way to a lasting and meaningful socio-economic and cultural reawakening, towards a more promising future for all, everywhere. The alternative is truly unthinkable, and almost apocalyptic.

* The writer is professor of planning at the University of Alexandria.