From a very early age, I was accustomed to asking many questions. I rarely accepted things at face value and always wanted to delve deeper. In the Western world, this tendency would probably be encouraged, but sadly, asking questions in Pakistani society is, generally speaking, frowned upon.
As an educationist who has been in the field of teaching for over two decades, I actively encourage intelligent and insightful questions. However, most teachers lose patience very quickly and, by overtly or covertly snubbing students, discourage questioning in the classroom. Passive acceptance of imparted information is often promoted, as it requires minimal effort on the part of both the teacher and the learner.
Questioning or defying authority is also discouraged in Eastern societies. In a patriarchal and male-dominated society like ours, men are generally entrusted with decision-making. At the same time, women, traditionally, are expected to confine their decision-making skills to the domestic sphere. Grandparents or heads of households are held in high regard, and their authority is accepted without question.
In fact, when young people question the norms, values, or decisions of their elders, they are labelled impertinent and insolent. Questioning, or seeking a satisfactory and logical response before accepting an opposing point of view, is generally discouraged and is often considered reprehensible by senior members of the household.
Why is this so? Social conditioning has shaped our behaviour for generations and will likely continue to do so. Societal norms mould and shape attitudes, and in most households, senior family members retain the prerogative to make decisions and dictate family dynamics. This is frequently reflected in television productions where, in joint or even nuclear family settings, children instinctively turn to their elders when important decisions need to be made, and these decisions are accepted without question.
This trend, however, is changing. Educationists today are trained to welcome and encourage questions and are no longer permitted to dismiss children needlessly. Activity-based teaching and the International Baccalaureate system actively promote inquiry, and students are rewarded for divergent and lateral thinking. Thinking beyond conventional boundaries, to use a rather clichéd term, is now regarded as a sign of intelligence and creativity.
Teaching people to question empowers them and allows them the freedom to think independently and make their own decisions
As societies evolve and the generational gap widens, social norms are also transforming. Traditions that have become obsolete are slowly being abandoned. Blind adherence to norms is no longer encouraged or considered logical. As societal dynamics shift and inflation and excessive taxation strain households, more individuals now prioritise practicality and economy over unquestioning conformity, merely for the sake of appearances.
Discouraging questioning also serves to suppress and subjugate individuals, particularly minorities and women. A few decades ago, women were not encouraged to question authority and were expected to be grateful for whatever was bestowed upon them. Eastern women who voiced their opinions were often dismissed as westernised or excessively modern and were deemed unsuitable as wives or daughters-in-law. This narrative was reinforced through the media, which portrayed submissive, compliant, and self-sacrificing women as those destined for success in both this world and the hereafter.
One reason for the growing number of divorces in our society is that women are now beginning to question authority and are no longer willing to remain subjugated by the so-called stronger sex. In many ways, this is a positive development, as individuals are becoming more aware of their rights and are increasingly unafraid to challenge what they perceive as illogical or irrational.
Why is this happening? For several reasons. Societal dynamics have undergone a significant shift, and attitudes have evolved accordingly. As the cost of living rises and women become educated and enter the workforce, financial independence reduces their reliance on spouses or parents. Self-reliance fosters autonomy, independence, and the courage to question.
Everything, however, comes at a cost. Those who dare to question are often labelled “difficult”, to use a euphemism, and are frequently regarded as insolent or disrespectful. Teaching people to question empowers them and allows them the freedom to think independently and make their own decisions. Such individuals can no longer be controlled or manipulated as easily.
This empowerment unsettles those in positions of power and makes them feel insecure. They often prefer to keep the poor uneducated, uninformed, and unaware, as this prevents challenges to the status quo. As noted earlier, this enables those with wealth and influence to dominate and control those who are less privileged.
When people are taught to question, they are also given a voice and an identity of their own. Encouraging independent and divergent thinking prevents blind acceptance of information and fosters deeper inquiry. Such individuals evolve into people of substance, capable of reasoning for themselves, which in turn enhances their confidence and self-esteem.
To question or not to question, that is the question. The ability to question is a hallmark of an educated and well-informed individual. Such individuals cannot be easily subjugated or controlled, as they refuse to conform to what they regard as illogical or senseless societal norms and traditions.
Is this disrespect or impudence? That depends on one’s perspective. Change is the only constant, and people can no longer be appeased merely by an expectation of compliance rooted in habit. They increasingly demand reasoned explanations and logical arguments.
How this unfolds in the future remains uncertain, as we welcome generations capable of thinking, reasoning, and questioning, and unwilling to blindly adhere to orthodox and conventional cultural norms. As societies evolve and transform, so too do people’s values, and as Charles Darwin observed, survival ultimately favours those who are willing to adapt, evolve, and change.