S2 PSE Relationships Lesson 1 Values Rights Responsibilities

Today we are learning To identify our values, How these values shape our behaviour To recognise our rights & responsibilities

The following is from a recent article written by a Dundee University student called Hannah Grant. She has written the article about values that people have and develop as they go through life. Hannah

A value is a belief, which has special meaning to the individual, a philosophy for life, which drives them on and which they live by. Every individual has values. These values can range from belief in cleanliness and accuracy to belief in friendship and freedom. Although people may share the same values, the way in which they interpret them may be completely different. We obtain our values from a number of different sources. In our early years it is usually our parents who influence our belief systems as they tune us into a sense of what is right and what is wrong. As we grow it may be that friends and teachers, even religion or television can influence us. In these years it seems that values are not fixed but in fact static and subject to constant change.

I know that as I have grown and experienced more of the world, my value base has changed or rather evolved to make up the core values I hold today. The way in which I have experienced the world and the nature of an unstable childhood have been the main factors of influence on the values that I live by today. Stability is something I never had as a child; as a result of this it is one of the most important values in my life today. In having this stability and being able to offer it to others (e.g. friends or partners) I am able to draw a control over my life, a control, which till not long ago had been absent. I find a feeling of ease and safety in this stability which keeps me sane as well as driving me on through life.

Another value I hold very high is respect; I believe that every person regardless of colour, race or religion should be shown respect. This value came about as a result of a teacher who taught at my secondary school. A man who was loved and respected by students and teachers alike. Among the many things I learned from him respect had the most impact. Unlike many other people he respected every one of his students for their individuality and what they brought to the table and in return they respected him. It was in my observing of this that I realised how important respect is and how powerful a force it can be. Key to building relationships, personal and professional and key to building life. The last value I'm going to discuss is communication. My ability to communicate with other members of society is something I hold very important something I value and believe in. I couldn't imagine having to go through life with no means of communication with other members of my race. Throughout my life I have found that the best way to get over any obstacle, to let go of any hurt is to talk to people. I believe that in the struggles of everyday life it is communication with our friends, relatives and acquaintances that keeps us sane.

Your Values This exercise will help you reach a better understanding of your most significant values. From this list of values, write down ten that are most important to you-as guides for how to behave, or as components of a valued way of life. Feel free to add any values of your own to this list.

Achievement Friendships Physical challenge Advancement and promotion Growth Pleasure Adventure Having a family Power and authority Affection (love and caring) Helping other people Privacy Arts Helping society Public service Challenging problems Honesty Purity Change and variety Independence Quality of what I take part in Close Relationships Influencing others Quality relationships Community Inner harmony Recognition Competence Integrity Religion Competition Intellectual status Reputation Cooperation Involvement Responsibility and accountability Country Job happiness Security Creativity Knowledge Self-respect Decisiveness Leadership Serenity Democracy Location Sophistication Ecological awareness Loyalty Stability Economic security Status Effectiveness Meaningful work Supervising others Efficiency Merit Time freedom Money Truth Excellence Nature Wealth Excitement Wisdom Fame Choose 10…write them down

Paired Activity Share your 10 values with a partner and explain why you chose them.

Now…Lets think about our rights A short video about human rights

However With rights come RESPONSIBILITIES! What do you think YOUR responsibilities are? With a partner, make a list Discuss your list with the rest of the class

There are rights and responsibilities specifically related to relationships What do you think they are?

I have the RIGHT to be treated with respect Therefore I have the responsibility to….

I have the RIGHT to express my feelings and opinions Therefore I have the responsibility to….

I have the RIGHT to feel safe Therefore I have the responsibility to….

I have the RIGHT not to be pressured Therefore I have the responsibility to….

I have the RIGHT to ask for what I want Therefore I have the responsibility to….

Key Messages Your values in life cause you to conduct yourself in a certain way Your values often originate from your experiences in life As you grow older and you have different experiences your values may change It is recognised universally that we have rights Even though we have our rights, we have the responsibility to others to ensure their rights are upheld