by Veena Krishnan

Created on: October 27, 2009   Last Updated: October 30, 2009

Family Values

Values are ideals that any human society follows which will govern their perception of right and wrong. They are guidelines, based on which, societies formulate rules and decide what behaviours are desirable and which are not and should be discouraged. For instance human life has always been valued because of which no country will condone taking of another human life. Freedom is valued by humans, and so when this is violated, as it is happening in some parts of the world, there are protests. We value individual achievements and encourage individuals to reach their potential. These constitute societal values.

Ideological values trigger off many concrete values which are inculcated by families, communities and society. A child growing up in the family is introduced to the various values held by the family members he/she is growing up with. Children learn that hitting their siblings, peers or older people is not appropriate behaviour. As they grow older they learn that any kind of physical violence towards anyone will not be accepted. This later gets generalised and they learn that life is valued and no one can harm another human being wilfully. Disciplining techniques by families, censure by community members and societal laws help in the process of these desired values getting internalised in the child.

Similarly other desirable values are consciously or subtly imbibed by the child during his growing up years. If a family values education then the child will be encouraged in this direction. The family environment will be conducive towards this end. If the family values individuality then the child will be allowed to take decisions, make choices and encouraged to achieve their ambitions.

Values held by a group of people are formulated based on religious doctrines and the political ideologies of the country. Obviously these values will be held by a large group of people. There will be laws, sanctions and monitoring devices in place to ensure these values are fostered among the people.

Family values on the other hand are those values that are considered important by the members of a family. Most families will emphasise the basic values held by humans, society and their community. But most families will also have a set of values which will be specific to the members of that family. These are what forms personal values. For instance families may value getting together at a reunion. The members will organise such an event where the members can get-together and spend time together.

Families may have a family home which the members value. They will ensure that the home is maintained well and share the expense in its upkeep. Younger generations and new members (through marriage) will be told about the home. Memories held by the older members will be shared and often it will be the place where the family heirlooms may be kept.

Thus values are an integral part of human society and families. While the basic ones help members to be part of a human community and are societal values, the specific or personal ones help foster a feeling of belonging and a sense of pride.

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