What are Family Values?
Of course, certain factors influence a child’s behavior. These factors are not limited to the school, peer group, the church, society and the family.
To a large extent, the family background plays a major role in the formation of a child’s personality. Oftentimes, the belief system and morality of a family influence a child’s entire makeup. These are usually referred to as family values.
Hence, Family Values are the belief system and moral standard which a family holds in high esteem. Most family values are often instilled in children either consiously or unconsciously.
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Continue reading this review to learn more about family values and how they influence children’s behavior.
Examples of Family Values
Values differ from one family to another. A lot of young parents pass down the values they learnt from their parents unto their new family.
Some parents translate their personal beliefs and behavior into family values. Others decide what behavior or traits they want their children to exhibit, and so turn them into values.
Below are some examples of these family values.
- Engaging in charitable works.
- Prioritizing family time.
- Taking responsibility for oneself and one’s actions.
- Being compassionate.
- Enduring hard times.
- Unity amongst siblings.
- Constantly looking out for family members and friends.
- Being generous.
- Being respectful.
- Not hurting others either in words or actions.
- Putting in your best in all endeavors.
- Prioritizing education.
- Being honest and trustworthy.
- Being modest in dressing.
- Frugality in spending and making savings a priority.
- Exercising absolute loyalty to those in authority.
- Strict adherence to spiritual beliefs and doctrines.
- Setting boundaries in your relationship with others.
- Having integrity.
- Spouses showing love to themselves in the open.
Importance of Family Values
Family Values are very important. They usually have a greater impact on children and their behavior. Here are a few ways in which family values can be beneficial.
- Decision – making:
Families and individual family members often make decisions on certain matters. These may be decisions about the entire family or as an individual.
The values which a family upholds serve as a guide to enable them make right decisions. The beliefs of a family are often yardsticks for decision-making.
They help families avoid making irrational decisions even in the face of challenges or emotional breakdown.
For instance; if a family upholds modesty in dressing as its core value, a member of such a family who goes to a clothingline for clothes will not choose a revealing dress.
- Harmonized Communication System:
Communication strengthens the bond of a family or any meaningful relationship. Family Values form part of the language of the family.
Since each family member believes the same thing, they tend to be on the same page during a conversation. Thus, they understand each other, thereby communicating better.
- Pace Setting:
Most times, children learn by emulating others including parents. They are often quick to practice what they see others do.
Therefore, family values set the pace for children to follow. They serve as a structure for their upbringing. These values are like a trail that guides their footsteps which shapes their life.
Hence, family values are a standard for children.
- Unity of Purpose:
Values give families a sense of direction. It enables family members to aim towards the same purpose. They tend to have similar views about life.
Their efforts are often channeled towards the same action in order to achieve similar goals. This include; choosing a similar line of business, following a similar career path or having the same ideology about marriage and implementing the same in their individual marriages.
Different ways in which family values influence children’s behavior
Family Values are often passed down from one generation to another. These values transcends from parents to their children. They become part of their children’s way of life as it influences their general behavior.
There are various ways through which these values influence a child’s behavior.
Teaching
Children learn through instruction. When parents consciously teach family values to their children, it becomes a part of them. They begin to implement them in their actions, and so, it forms part of their lifestyle. For instance; a pupil who is taught at school how to greet, comes home and begins to say ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon’ to his/her elders. Therefore, teaching family values to children automatically influences their behavior.
Constant Practice
It is always said that, “Practice makes Perfect.” In other words, people become better at what they do often. If a child knows the values of his/her family and is encouraged to constantly put them to work, he/she becomes addicted to such values. And so, he/she begins to live by them. Hence, it influences his/her character.
Modeling
Obviously, children are quick to learn what they see others do. Therefore, parents who are true practitioners of their family values easily transfer such values to their kids.
These children emulate their parents’ actions, thereby turning them into their own lifestyle.
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Clarify Good Values
A clear understanding of family values will enable children to become better practitioners of it. When parents clarify their children on the importance of family values, when and how to put them to work, these values are better understood.
Thus, their behaviors are greatly influenced.
