Recognition: The Root of Social Problems

By Father Yohanes Akoit

The key word to understanding the social problems we face today is recognition. As we look at these problems one by one, it becomes clear that many of the conflicts, sadness, and unfair-

ness in today’s world come from the same root: people not recognizing or respecting each other. When someone’s dignity is ignored, when their voice is not heard, or when their presence

does not matter, then negative things will begin to grow. That is why recognition is not just a big idea, but it is something we truly need to help fix our relationships and to heal our world.

This idea – recognition, becomes easier to understand when we look at what is really happening in the world today. Tariff Wars and Arms Trade; these conflicts arise because countries fail to acknowledge the dignity, rights, and existence of others. This inability to recognize other nations as equals leads to tension and hostility.

Using the same framework, we can examine the phenomenon of divorce and the breakdown of relationships between husband and wife; partners often do not experience emotional and physi-

cal recognition. This is the reason why many people choose to end married life, because one or both partners feel unappreciated, unheard, and uncared for. This failure erodes the love they

 once shared. This example shows us that the root is the same: a problem of recognition. And to restore such relationships is not merely about offering apologies, but about rebuilding a space

where both individuals feel truly nurtured through recognition, acceptance, and love.

Applying the same lens, we can analyze the issue of abortion; One of the reasons why abortion happens frequently is because unborn life is not always recognized as valuable and deserving

protection. On the other hand, the mother carrying the fetus often lacks emotional support and social recognition from the community. She may feel judged, abandoned, and pressured by

her circumstances. Because of this lack of recognition, the mother may feel she is losing the dignity of her youth, her freedom, and her future. In such situations, abortion seems like the

 best solution.

We can use this same approach to examine other societal problems, such as sex outside marriage, unemployment, immigration challenges, social discrimination, and many others. All

 these issues stem from the same root: the failure to recognize others and the environment around us. So, recognition is not just a theory. But it is the root of many problems, and at the same time, the way forward to heal relationships and rebuild our world.

This symptom has already been diagnosed and clearly pointed out by Jesus. As the savior, Jesus understands the weaknesses of His disciples. That is why He teaches them about the prob-

lem of recognition through the parable of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19). All were healed, but only one returned to Jesus, recognizing the miracle and expressing gratitude to God.

Therefore, the problem of recognition is not unique to the contemporary world. But it reflects a deep human tendency. We tend to ignore God, our fellow human beings, and the environ-

ment. This tendency is embedded in each of us. No exceptions. So, each of us has the duty and responsibility to go beyond and overcome our tendency. The more we strive to recog-

nize God, others, and our surroundings, the less room there will be for the roots of these problems to grow.

Father Yohanes Akoit is pastor of St. Julian and St. Anthony Catholic churches in Kentucky.