By Majd Othman
KUWAIT: Over the past decade, there has been a global shift towards supporting the cause of freedom, ranging from basic rights to the minutiae of people's lives. This includes freedom of speech, lifestyle choices and particularly the freedom of women, which continues to be a contentious issue in some communities. This ongoing debate about freedom has become a critical issue, especially in conservative communities, where the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries alongside the practice of freedom is emphasized.
This has raised questions about whether these ethical boundaries contradict the very essence of freedom. Kuwait Times conducted a survey to gauge public opinion on whether it is appropriate to regulate liberated behaviors within the framework of ethical controls and whether these controls are at odds with the concept of freedom. Additionally, the survey sought to identify recent developments in key freedom-related issues.
Farah Ali, an expatriate, believes that there is confusion between the concept of freedom and the ethical and social norms that individuals must adhere to, based on the society they live in. She emphasized that the openness of today's world and easy access to information have led many young people to adopt morals from media and open societies while still being influenced by their parents' guidance. According to Farah, parental guidance plays a crucial role in distinguishing between unrestricted freedom and freedom within ethical boundaries.
She lamented that many adults view ethical control over their lifestyle as regressive thinking. Citizen Omar A, who leans towards a progressive and open lifestyle, sees ethical controls as a form of mental manipulation. He believes that if any rules are to be followed, they should be self-imposed rather than enforced by the community. He acknowledges that ethical controls aligned with liberated behavior may be acceptable but argues that in conservative societies that reject the very idea of freedom, these controls become a way to indirectly pressure individuals who choose to live differently.
Mona Al-Ajmi, who hails from a conservative tribe, asserts that ethical and social norms are what distinguish one community from another. She stresses that abandoning these controls would have different consequences for conservative communities compared to liberated ones and could lead to social chaos, especially when dealing with sensitive issues. Expat Alex Mohammad, drawing from his experience of living abroad, notes that regional communities have made significant progress in embracing freedom.
However, he also highlights the importance of having ethical and social controls that align with the practice of a liberated life. According to him, the liberated life imposed abroad led to a loss of the freedom to choose a balanced lifestyle. In summary, people generally agree that there is a growing concern about the rapid changes in unrestricted freedom, particularly among younger generations, who are increasingly exploring gender-related religious choices.