For all its quirks and shortcomings Malta remains a remarkably cohesive country on major concerns which challenge its established way of life. Threatened from within and beyond, with lifestyles and mores alien to its code of conduct the island struggles to maintain a coherent Maltese identity without alienating itself from a world at large afflicted by constant change and social turmoil. A delicate balance between being held captive on the one hand by overwhelming foreign influence and the need for preservation of a national identity on the other is the price Malta must pay for progress. By virtue of its minuscule size Malta can ill afford to stay away from the E.U. yet full membership would cause it to be swallowed whole by larger member nations protective of self-interests. Its a catch -22 situation of monumental proportion. Yet for all its problems Malta has a message to deliver to those who worry prematurely that it might fall apart. Malta will not only survive but will prosper as never before. The answer is in the strength of its peoples' character and their ability to surmount all odds.
The Maltese embrace three central values in their lives; God, family and country. A contentious people they have come to respect each other's core beliefs, even as the majority hold fast to traditional Catholic values and morality. The church of Rome is the state religion and bedrock of society. Worldwide church influence is waning, more so amongst the younger set, yet in Malta its sway over a strong religious laity is more assertive than what is commonly observed in other Catholic nations. With the exception of divorce, and abortion about which most still feel profoundly uncomfortable, the Maltese are not likely to impose their standards upon others attesting a different viewpoint, even as they apply a traditional moral code to their own.
The love of family in Malta is legendary. Children are inordinately spoiled, adored by parents, relatives and strangers alike. The concept of an extended family commonly found in Asia is also an indelible factor of Maltese life. Rarely are orphans not raised by close or distant relatives. The family head is the father in line with the patriarchal nature of Maltese society. While he reigns from afar it is the mother who runs the nest egg. It is she who is the center and focus of family. A strong cultural Latin preference for male offspring remains especially for a first born child, but not at the expense of baby girls. Family size in Malta is moderating in line with European countries and other western societies. In days past large families were common. Today's married couples are content with having one or two children at the very most, in defiance to a church ban on artificial contraception. Remarkably this trend holds equally true amongst rural villagers whose devotion towards religion is stronger than that of urban contemporaries. Life mainly revolves around the family, the raising and education of its young. Nothing else matters as much, not even the well being and future of one's country at large. One might reasonably argue it is no different in other places. However, the degree and intensity of devotion towards family found in Malta is indeed in a class of its own. It is this remarkable family cohesiveness which provides the Maltese with an inner strength to face and conquer adversity. Those who survived the debilitating hunger and ravishes of World War II can best attest for this quality.
Although love of country in Malta is as strong as ever , it has been leavened with a more nuanced realism. There exist deep political division between liberal and conservative supporters. The Maltese have yet to think of themselves as natives of Malta first and political champions next. In fact the reverse holds true. Unfortunately people tend to identify with parties instead of a common cause. In the shuffle political leaders have abused the public trust and government no longer commands the respect it once did. The latest fiasco which led to the withdrawal of Malta's request for E.U. membership by the Maltese Labor Party (MLP) is a classic case in point. Confused and bewildered by an issue of such gravity for Malta's long term prosperity the public is belatedly starting to see politicians for what they are, a wholly destructive lot that need clean up their self serving acts.
Overall the Maltese appear to be distancing away from extremism of any kind and toward a moderate, tempered middle in lock step with other European democracies. There has been movement from the far left to moderate Dr. Sant's stance in his opposition to E.U. membership. Never before has any union become so bold as to openly defy MLP policy. There are other signs that common sense will prevail. Many citizens are more inclined to take a sympathetic view of the government by shouldering responsibility rather than scapegoat it for all the nation's shortcomings. The realization that whatever's there was voted in has made an indelible mark on Malta's future in its decision to maintain a separate but close identity with the E.U. The lame excuse that voters at large were not sufficiently briefed by the political leadership on so vital an issue is no longer credible. Such an exoneration is indeed an insult on the intelligence and education of the Maltese electorate as a whole.
On balance Malta provides an enormously reassuring profile of a country in transition that has grown into a mature, caring and thoughtful adulthood. The memory of gross inequities suffered under the yoke of oppressive colonialism no longer haunts the spirit, imagination and drive of its dynamic younger generations. For them the glass of opportunity is half full. Malta is shedding its ways of old to resurface anew with a kinetic energy deserving a progressive nation unafraid to tackle and conquer the new millennium. May God be with her all the way.
E-mail to Joseph Vella: vellajoseph@msn.net
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