CROSSING BOARDERS

Globalisation is a sense of belonging to a community beyond the perimeter of our own neighbourhood. It implies membership of a wider social network that crosses borders and territories and includes the span and influence of the internet. A strong element of belonging to this World Wide Web is the shifting of social attitudes and values that influence the evolving generations of web users to change and challenge attitudes on a world wide scale. Globalisation is a challenge to governments who try to stem the tide of public opinion and debate. Globalisation encourages sharing of opinions and attitudes beyond local borders and influences change to happen at a rate that has been unprecedented in the past. For example the shift in changing values and beliefs by young people to living for the moment rather than planning for the future. The trend in acceptance of once unacceptable behaviours by the young such as  over consumption of alcohol, and the large shift in attitudes towards tattoos, which have become a fashion feature that were once considered social taboo, unless part of cultural rituals.

Many young people see over consumption of alcohol as a way that they can fit in socially with their friends so that they can seem cool. This has occurred increasing in female circles with more and more young girls binge drinking for a ‘good’ night out on the town. As a result very little consideration to the other side effects that may occur such as future health problems, also very little consideration is given to whether violent behaviour may ensue as a result of over consumption of alcohol.  Globalisation via use of social media has made such behaviours seem ‘normal’ as people publish their photos on Facebook inviting public scrutiny and challenging social norms.

Tattoos are now a socially accepted behaviour with almost everyone having a tattoo of some sort whether it’s big or small. Getting tattoos used to be viewed as a type of behaviour that only delinquents used to engage in. However there is a very different attitude towards tattoos as most of the population have now gotten ‘inked’. Now people even proudly show their tattoos off even in their wedding photos.

Globalisation has demonstrated how easily attitudes are influenced and changed towards certain behaviours. Globalisation continues to evolve and as more people connect and engage with each other the more social attitudes will continue to evolve.