Our knowledge, ideas and thoughts are all social constructs. They are constructed through social interactions, practices and experiences in the daily social life of the people.
French philosopher Jacques Derrida argued that all human thoughts, beliefs, feelings, emotions and patterns of cultures which are shaped and constructed through social interactions and practices within a society become outdated and obsolete; so, they need to be updated. Contextually, he coined the concept of “Deconstruction” in 1967, which signifies that all socially constructed knowledge, ideas, socio-cultural symbols and practices are not equally beneficial for the smooth functioning of society, many of them proving otherwise; destroying society, causing more ignorance, backwardness, and keeping social life in the regressive inertia. Thus, they need to be deconstructed to reconstruct the new and updated thoughts.
The concept of deconstruction is in line with the doctrine of post-modernism, criticizing all those conservative ideas and practices, which are no more fit and suited in the modern rational, scientific and technological settings. The logical move of deconstructionists has caused dissonance among the people, especially in developing countries. However, on the other hand it has paved the way for a rational, real and progressive lifestyle.
For example, in our society a, number of socio-cultural proverbs (constructs) are very common and frequently shared and acted upon. The people take these constructs for granted, without thinking logically about whether they are real and meeting the needs of the existing world. For instance, in our society it is a very common dictum that no one dies of hunger. Thus we reproduce children; but the UN argues that everyday around 25000 people die of hunger globally, similarly more than 20,000 people commit suicide per annum in Pakistan and the biggest reason behind this is starvation and poverty. The fantasy rests in the definition of a lay-man and the experts.
Additionally, another historical construct in our society mentioned unthoughtfully on the basis of gender inequality is that the women are more irrational and need to be avoided to consult in familial and other social affairs. However, in reality women are more capable and have greater potential to handle the issues in a more sophisticated and harmonious way. Research studies indicate that women have outperformed the men in many fields, in education achievements especially.
Further, religiously in our society the people are more often found saying that they feel fear only from the supernatural God, but in reality this is completely fabricated. They feel fear fairly from the public, camera, video, police, and so on. If these are present then no one can dare to steal, commit a crime, take a bribe or do corruption, or show dishonesty. However, in the absence of these things everything is considered lawful, even though the Almighty is present everywhere.
In this context our educational system, syllabuses and course contents can play a positive role in changing the paradigm. Furthermore, making the books culture common, discourse sessions, libraries, political gatherings and study circles can prove much fruitful to change the conservative and regressive mindsets, and this is the only way of getting rid of extremism, intolerance and moving parallel in the race with the international community as a nation.
Likewise, another very famous social construct prevailing in the tribal societies is that tribalism is a blessing in terms of handling social issues; but it is actually a curse, which has caused threat to social cohesion, change and development instead of being a blessing if analyzed critically and academically.
Moreover, the joint family system and cousin marriages are practised over here passionately, and perceived as having socio-cultural sanctification but these practices and concepts are obsolete universally and rejected with a number of socio-medical factual research studies and data, and the new trends are replacing their space.
In addition to this, the traditional image of the elderly being more aware and experienced, is a deep rooted formal norm, is rationally no more acceptable now, because in the modern scientific nd logical era the youth are more learned, educated and aware enough to decide for the betterment of family and society. In the same way a very frequent shared social construct is that people are found blaming their fate more often for lower achievements or failures. However, that is not true, it is just their laziness and avoidance of their assigned responsibilities. The less accountable share of fate is multiplied to create justification for their laziness. The one who works hard can find his or her destiny.
The above social constructs are believed and practised in our daily life passionately and felt by everyone. Nevertheless, there are many other social constructs which are in vogue in our social settings, expressed and practiced in the daily routine. The people act upon them unconsciously, even though they bear no fruit at all.
Many constructs are instilled through daily interactions at micro-level in the social gatherings and communications, or in other words our daily discussions are characterized totally by the already constructed concepts to fortify them further. Moreover, we practice many religious rituals without knowing their true meanings and message, similarly, many political practices are carried out without having any substantial foundation. Likewise, in our educational system every year billions of rupees are spent but with no desired results at the end. We are following the conservative narratives and constructs without thinking critically and rationally; and the result is in front of us, that we are lagging behind the advanced world in social capacity, and as a nation.
Consequently, we need to change our mind and think in the real and international context that how the developed world is pursuing their dreams, and live in the real world rather than the ideal one. People must analyze their life priorities, thoughts and practices through the lens of rationality, logic, science and the social realities. Contextually, we need to change our mind to think realistically for opting thoughts, ideas, trends and social practices.
In this context our educational system, syllabuses and course contents can play a positive role in changing the paradigm. Furthermore, making the books culture common, discourse sessions, libraries, political gatherings and study circles can prove much fruitful to change the conservative and regressive mindsets, and this is the only way of getting rid of extremism, intolerance and moving parallel in the race with the international community as a nation.
