Motion Pictures and the Decline of Cultural Values among Nigerian Youths

Abstract

Cultural sustainability, which is a part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, highlights the imperativeness of intergenerational continuity of cultural heritage, beliefs, and practices among different peoples of the world. It is in this light that our qualitative study examines the impacts on cultural values in Nigeria by both indigenous and foreign motion pictures, and the possible implications for the practice of social work. The study used a cross-sectional survey research design to source data from 48 youths by means of in-depth interviews. The data were analysed thematically in line with a phenomenological research design. The findings showed that indigenous cultural values (language, dress styles, sexual norms, etc.) are threatened, and a preference for Western motion pictures was implicated. However, the participants equally mentioned positive events characterising Western motion pictures, which they recommended that indigenous motion pictures should imbibe. Growing and developing the overall quality of the contents of indigenous motion pictures through enhanced viewers’ preference were discussed to have social and economic values which social workers could help harness.