Controlling Cultism in Our Society – JSS3 Social Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Cultism is membership of a secret group, most often in an educational institution, whose members share the same beliefs, ideologies and interests.

• It is anti-social, deviant behaviour that goes against established norms and the rules of an institution and society.
• Members often carry dangerous weapons.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of cultism;
2. describe why cultism is anti-social and deviant behaviour;
3. state and explain the causes of cultism;
4. list the effects of cultism on the individual, school and society;
5. suggest ways of controlling cultism and say who is responsible for each.

What is cultism?

Cultism is the act of belonging to a secret cult, especially in an educational institution, where members uphold the same beliefs, ideologies and interests.

• Secret group: members hide their activities, names and meetings from outsiders.
• Weapons: members of secret cults often carry dangerous weapons.
• Oath and loyalty: members are expected to obey the group above school rules and the law.
• Origin: cult activities were first noticed at the University of Ibadan (then University College) in 1952.

Why is cultism anti-social and deviant behaviour?

Cultism is anti-social and deviant because it breaks the norms and rules that keep order in school and society.

• Anti-social: it harms other people and disturbs peace in the community.
• Deviant: it is at variance with the accepted norms of behaviour.
• Non-conforming: it usually breaks the social rules of an institution in particular and of society in general.

What are the causes of cultism?

The main causes of cultism are lack of parental care, greed, peer group influence, academic failure, external support and unemployment.

1. Lack of parental care: some parents are too busy to care for their children, which gives the children the liberty to join any group they want.
2. Greed: this could be too much ambition to possess material things or to be in control.
3. Peer group influence: people who are not confident of themselves or who like moving with the crowd are easily lured into cultism.
4. Academic failure: some academically weak students use cultism to force lecturers to award marks to them.
5. External support: some people pose as godfathers to cultists. They give them money and urge them to do wrong things for them.
6. Unemployment: this brings insecurity in the bid to obtain the good things of life, and unemployed people could go to any length.

What are the signs that a person may be in a cult?

Warning signs are changes in behaviour that suggest a person may have joined a secret group.

• Secrecy: the person hides phone messages, friends and where he or she goes.
• Sudden change: the person becomes aggressive, withdrawn or disrespectful.
• Frequent absence: the person misses classes and night meetings replace study time.
• Unexplained money: the person spends more than the family can give.
• Weapons: the person is found with dangerous objects.

These signs do not prove membership. They only show that a young person needs guidance.

What are the effects of cultism?

Cultism harms the cultist, the school, the family and the whole society.

Effects on the individual

• Injury or death: clashes between rival groups often cost lives.
• Poor results: time meant for study is wasted on cult activities.
• Punishment: a cultist may be suspended, expelled, arrested or jailed.

Effects on the school and society

• Insecurity: students, teachers and neighbours live in fear.
• Disrupted learning: schools may close down after violent clashes.
• Destruction of property: cult clashes damage school and public property.
• Bad name: the school and the families involved lose their good reputation.
• Waste of talent: young people who could develop the nation are lost.

How can cultism be controlled?

Cultism is controlled when parents, schools, government, religious bodies and students all play their part.

1. Good parental care: parents should know their children’s friends, give them moral training and spend time with them.
2. School discipline: school authorities should apply rules fairly and punish proven cultists as the rules provide.
3. Guidance and counselling: counsellors should help students resist pressure and help repentant members leave.
4. Enlightenment: schools, churches, mosques and the media should teach the dangers of cultism.
5. Law enforcement: the police and courts should arrest and prosecute cultists and their sponsors.
6. Job creation: government should create jobs so that young people have honest means of living.
7. Fair assessment: lecturers should grade honestly so that weak students are not tempted to use force.
8. Good clubs and societies: schools should support sports, debating and youth clubs that use students’ energy well.
9. Role models: leaders and elders should show honesty and good character.
10. Reporting: students should report cult activity to a teacher, parent or the police.

Who is responsible for controlling cultism?

Each group in society has a specific duty in the fight against cultism.

What should a student do if invited to join a cult?

1. Say no firmly and do not attend any “meeting” to see what it is.
2. Avoid the people who invited you.
3. Tell your parents, teacher or school counsellor.
4. Stay busy with studies, sports and good clubs.

Evaluation

1. What is cultism?
2. Why is cultism described as anti-social behaviour?
3. Where and when were cult activities first noticed in Nigeria?
4. Explain how lack of parental care and external support encourage cultism.
5. State four ways of controlling cultism in schools.

Assignment

Choose any four ways of controlling cultism and explain each in one or two sentences.