5.1. Cultural Habits and Attitudes

The scientists found that people are not very encouraged, not very motivated to have these alternative drinking water, right. So, people saying that the several reasons are there, people have a habit and attitude kind of problem, people became used to with this what they are drinking, they would say no my father and my forefathers, my grandfathers, my grand-grandfathers, they all are living here, they are drinking the same water. They did not have any problem, they lived 70 years, 80 years without any much issue, why should I bother, I am used to it, I become resilient so, do not worry about me, oh, this is one perspective.

In this chunk, we see that communities often show resistance to change when it comes to their drinking water sources. People tend to rely on their historical practices and beliefs, often feeling that because their ancestors survived using the same sources, they too will be fine. This attitude can hinder progress toward improving health and safety measures. This mindset reflects a deeply rooted cultural habit that impacts decision-making in the community. People may equate a lack of immediate negative effects with the safety of their current practices, leading to complacency.

Imagine a person living in a house that has not been renovated for decades. They may feel comfortable despite the peeling paint and old plumbing because their grandparents lived there without any issues. They might resist suggestions to remodel or update things, thinking that the way they have always done it is sufficient. However, neglecting necessary changes can lead to bigger problems down the line, just like continuing to drink contaminated water without considering newer, safer alternatives.

Another perspective is similar line that is people saying that they have lack of awareness, maybe they do not know, they used to it, they do not realise the seriousness, severity and vulnerability of this disaster.

This chunk highlights the issue of awareness regarding health risks associated with drinking contaminated water. Many individuals in affected communities may not fully understand the dangers they are facing, simply because they are accustomed to their situation. They may not know that the water they've been drinking for generations could lead to serious health issues. This lack of awareness can stem from limited education, cultural beliefs, or misinformation, which together influence their capacity to make informed decisions about their health.

Consider a driver who has always driven without a seatbelt and never experienced an accident. They might believe that seatbelts are unnecessary because they never encountered a crash. They are unaware of the statistics showing that seatbelts save lives. Likewise, individuals in the community might not understand that their drinking water poses serious health risks until it is too late.

Another one is the existing poverty; people are really poor, they have so many problems in life, their entire livelihood is at risk, all households they are at risk from the poverty perspective, income perspective, economic perspective. So, when they are every day at crisis.

The chunk emphasizes the impact of poverty on the willingness and ability of people to transition to safer water sources. When families are struggling to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, investing in alternative water solutions can become a low priority. The economic reality faced by these individuals makes them less likely to adopt new technologies or practices featured as solutions to their water problems. This highlights the intersection of economic conditions with health outcomes, illustrating that solving these issues requires not only technical solutions but also socioeconomic support.

Think about a family living paycheck to paycheck, facing the dilemma of whether to buy groceries or pay for a medical bill. If they are unable to afford basic needs, the idea of investing in new water filtration systems, which might look expensive upfront, becomes an impossible luxury, similar to how a person might avoid going to the doctor due to the cost, despite knowing they might be sick.

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