FAMILIES & VALUES

What are values? ◦ Beliefs and principles about which you feel very strongly. ◦ Our values affect our decisions, goals, and behavior. ◦ They are standards to guide actions, judgments, and attitudes. ◦ They define what is of worth, what is beneficial, and what is harmful. ◦ Value system-The set of values that you have.

Why are values important? ◦ Positive values guide choices and actions in favorable ways. ◦ Values give direction and consistency to behavior. ◦ Values help you know what to and not to make time for. ◦ Values establish a relationship between you and the world. ◦ Values set the direction for one’s life.

Personal values vs. societal values ◦ Personal values usually grow out of people’s personalities. ◦ Ex: Some families value eating dinner together at the table each night. Some individuals value eating organically. Some people value very clean and organized living space. ◦ Societal values apply to all people and usually make life better. ◦ Core societal values include honesty, kindness, and social responsibility. ◦ Ex: It is illegal to kill someone. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Freedom of speech.

Values are learned ◦ By example-older family members show their values to younger ones. ◦ By direct teaching-Often lessons are taught by simply telling younger family members what is right. ◦ By religious training-In many families, religion provides principles to live by. Religious teaching often focuses on core moral values.

Types of values ◦ Moral – What is right or wrong; thoughts or codes by which to live. ◦ Aesthetic – Values that reflect your feelings about what has beauty in nature and life. They reveal appreciation for the way things look, sound, feel, taste and smell. ◦ Material – Values that reflect the possessions we own; the things on which we spend our money.

Types of values continued… ◦ Intrinsic – Values for things or ideas that have value to us in their own right; the end and not the means to an end. (i.e.: antique car – beauty) ◦ Extrinsic – Values that are important because they help us gain other values or desired results. (i.e.: antique car – money) ◦ Universal – Values to which most people agree. ◦ (i.e.: equality, respect of others, life) ◦ Group Specific - Values that differ from state to state, region to region, or one group from another. ◦ (i.e.: US: value time – in hurry; Europeans: value people – take time to talk.)

What would you do?