The Unasked Question: How Cultural Fear of Curiosity Hampers Progress
In many homes, classrooms, and workplaces across Uganda, a familiar scene plays out daily: a question goes unasked, not for lack of curiosity, but for fear of giving offence. What might seem like a simple act of inquiry in other parts of the world is often viewed here as a challenge to authority, an insult to expertise, or a sign of disrespect.
This cultural aversion to questioning carries significant consequences. In an era defined by rapid technological change, global connectivity, and rampant misinformation, the ability to think critically, to ask “why” and “how,” is no longer optional. It is essential.
When Questions Are Misread as Confrontation
Take the case of a wedding cake. I once accompanied my family to inspect a baker’s final product ahead of my cousin’s ceremony. The cake was beautifully crafted, but curious about the process, I asked whether additional touches were still to be added.
The baker’s expression shifted immediately. “Are you the bride?” she retorted. The implication was clear, unless I was the bride, I had no right to inquire. My question was not treated as a genuine query; it was treated as criticism.
A similar incident occurred with a well known event decorator. After she encouraged us to sketch the design we had in mind, we presented a simple drawing and asked whether she could recreate it. She took deep offence, reminding us sharply of her 15 years of experience and suggesting that our input was inappropriate and disrespectful.
Such experiences are not limited to professional settings. From a young age, children are often discouraged from asking too many questions. An eager child posing multiple “whys” may be labelled as rude or defiant. Over time, this conditions them to silence their curiosity and accept information without examination.
Roots of the Resistance
Why is questioning perceived so negatively in many traditional and hierarchical societies? At its core, the resistance often stems from a deeply ingrained respect for age, experience, and social position. When a younger person questions an elder, or a layperson questions an expert, it is often interpreted not as a search for understanding, but as a challenge to authority or an implication of incompetence.
This cultural framework prioritizes harmony and deference. However, it also risks conflating respect with uncritical acceptance, a dangerous equation in a world that demands adaptability, innovation, and discernment.
The High Cost of Silence
The inability to ask questions does not just limit personal growth; it impacts national development. Employees who hesitate to ask for clarification may repeat errors. Students who do not learn to challenge ideas may struggle with independent thought. Citizens who accept information without scrutiny are vulnerable to false claims and propaganda, especially in the age of social media.
Critical thinking is not about disrespect; it is about intellectual rigour. It enables people to verify facts, improve processes, and foster creativity. Without it, institutions and individuals alike risk stagnation.
Cultivating a New Culture of Inquiry
Changing this mindset requires deliberate effort across homes, schools, and workplaces. Here are four steps to start:
1. Reframe How We Ask
Teach the next generation to pose questions in ways that signal collaboration, not confrontation. Instead of “Why did you do it this way?” try “Could you help me understand your approach?”
2. Encourage Childhood Curiosity
When children ask “why,” engage their questions with interest. Responding with “Let’s find out together” fosters a lifelong love of learning.
3. Model Intellectual Humility
Leaders, parents, and teachers should feel comfortable saying “I do not know, let’s look it up.” This shows that questioning is a shared journey, not a sign of weakness.
4. Teach Critical Thinking Explicitly
Schools should integrate lessons on source evaluation, logical reasoning, and evidence based analysis into curricula.
A Call for Reflective Dialogue
Uganda, and many societies with similar cultural norms, stands at a crossroads. We can either cling to interpretations of respect that silence inquiry, or we can expand what it means to honour one another through thoughtful dialogue.
Questions are not threats. They are the tools with which we build understanding, drive innovation, and hold power to account. The future belongs not to those who have all the answers, but to those who are unafraid to ask the right questions.
Rosa Kemirembe is an educator and advocate for critical literacy. She writes and speaks on culture, education, and social innovation. For more articles and resources from Teaching For Success, please visit our website at www.teachingforsuccess.ca or contact us at info.teachingforsuccess [at] gmail.com.