Customsandhabits.doc

With the development of society, many customs and habits have changed a lot. Is it a good or bad phenomenon? What is your opinion?For:1. No customs are perfect. The new customs and habits inject new vitality into our life and work, and improve our living standard and lifestyle.2. It contributes to the rapid development of human society and civilization.3. It helps develop economy, because it helps remove the obstacles in the way of progress and liberate peoples minds.4. It exerts a positive impact on peoples lives: 1) Way of eating-nutritive and time-saving. 2) Way of communications-convenient. 3) Freedom to choose ones own spouse-the young are free to choose the one they like to marry. 4) Free choice of occupations and jobs. People are no longer confined to one job all the life.5. Some customs and habits are outdated and call for transformation. The social customs and habits should progress with the advance of the modern society. The new customs and habits reflect the development of human civilization.6. Most of the old customs and habits are connected with some superstitious beliefs, and they can not fit in this world with highly-developed technology.Against:1. All these customs and habits have stood the test of time; therefore they are the essence/prime of one nations culture and history, an indispensable part of culture. Therefore they should not be dismissed lightly. It will be a fatal mistake to dismiss the time-honored customs for those so-called new-fashioned ones.2. They help maintain the social order and safeguard the fruits of social advances.3. Changes lead to confusion. People will be at a loss confronted with different standards of the new and old customs and habits.4. It is also regarded as a way of showing respect to our forefathers for us to preserve the customs and habits handed down from our ancestors.5. Some new customs and habits are detrimental to peoples lives in many aspects: 1) Too much indulgence in the computer/the cyber-world may lead to disastrous consequences. People addicted to the computer may be a bit exclusive, self-centered and eccentric. 2) Too much viewing of TV will lead people to a sedentary life lack of adequate exercises, which does harm to their health. 3）Modern ways of communication result in the deterioration of human relationship. People become more indifferent and estranged to each other. Lack of adequate emotional exchanges. 4) The modern dietary habit gives rise to an imbalance of nutrition, leading to obesity and many other kinds of diseases. 5) People can hardly enjoy the festivity during some traditional festivals. Some traditional festivals are endowed with some new meanings and interpretations. 6) Some invaluable traditional skills and craftsmanship will vanish/die out.6. We should absorb the essence and beneficial material of our long-cherished customs and ha