There is a tendency for young people to rebel against the guardians of authority as teenagers. This may manifest as teenagers going to university as ‘Guardian reading’ (a UK liberal quality paper) left wing liberals who question authority and challenge the status quo. However a large percentage of this group will grow up to be quite consevative in middle age.
WHAT HAPPENED??
After leaving university these individuals have a choice
- Adjust & integrate
- Continue to challenge ‘the system’ (either overtly or not overtly)
The system is intrinsically CAPITIALIST so it could be argued that SOCIALIST values are a luxury…to be able to respect all humans equally as members of society.
Some would say that one can only understand what ‘family’ or ‘society’ mean when one has kids… BUT this is a limited concept…less tolerant and inclusive and consequently more right wing as ‘HUMANITY’ is not the context from which we get our principles…
For some it is not about giving fellow humans respect and a chance BUT about protecting close family and fuck anybody who threatens that…
As a socialist possibly one should think of society as an extension of family in which all sections have a right to be part of and to be treated with compassion
In terms of our choices - when we become an adult (eg after we leave uni / or come out of our rebel teenage years_) if we are settling down & thinking of starting a family our priorites may change AND
ADJUST & INTEGRATE may seem an attractive option (rather than change society) , life maye be about the desire to be a success albeit in what one perceives as a sick society…and the desire to protect your family…therefore views on crime etc change…rather than compassion for the criminal and looking at the causes of cime the attitude may change to FUCK it lock them up I don’t want burglars on the street threatening my home and family.
Also one can also continue to challenge OVERTLY eg through Politics/ Pressure groups / Media etc
One can also challenge NOT OVERTLY by living your life by socialist values but not doing anything to change society or challenge the guardians of authority.
THATCHER said ther’s no such thing as Society, only individuals and families…motivated by parents desire to look after and protect kids and family
BUT it is in the best interest of everyone to recognise our common humanity.