Zheng Yu, Class 4, Senior 2, Shenzhen Foreign Languages School Instructed by Peng Chunhua Nowadays, with the advancing pace of time, new things come out one after another and collide with traditions. Whether to observe traditions or to follow new trends is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. In fact, observing traditions has both advantages and disadvantages. First of all, inheriting good qualities of traditional culture, like filial piety, can help to enhance our national spirit and cohesion. It is pretty conducive to creating a harmonious society. Besides, preeminent traditional culture is an important source for the cultivation of socialist core values, guiding the advance of socialism with Chinese characteristics. These excellent parts of traditional culture have stood the test of time and can be very beneficial even to modern development. However, improper adherence to tradition is bound to have bad results. Taking “reform” school Yuzhang Academy as an example, it swindled people and abused students under the guise of carrying on traditional culture. The so-called academy not only harmed the youth, but also exerted a bad influence on the whole society. As far as I am concerned, it’s good to observe traditions, but we should focus on taking its essence and removing its dross. Rational and critical attitude towards traditions is of great benefit to the development of individuals and the nation as well. | 