UPSC Express

Values are an individual/group’s own principles or qualities guiding their judgment and behaviour. They can be intrinsic like truth, courage, goodness, etc or they can be extrinsic like wealth, fame, physical strength, etc., and their sum-total forms the value system.

Values can be innate to one or can be acquired from the external environment. The family is instrumental in inculcating values in an individual.

Role of Family:

• The first institution of socialisation for a person is his/her family. Since values have an affective component, family plays a major role in an individual subscribing to certain values. For example, a child can acquire courage as a value after watching his family being honest and courageous.
• However, family can impart values with negative outcomes also. A child growing up in a environment of power and corruption may look down on the value of honesty and value power more.
• The sustained relationships and the existing value system of the family members shape the values of a child and accordingly the child’s attitude towards the family, society and oneself is formed. A family, where good values are encouraged and bad values are discouraged, supports in forming a strong and desirable value system in an individual, which in turn helps in maintaining the stability of the society.

Though there are other factors like peer groups, educational institutions, and society at large, which later influence the value system of a person, it is the family which lays down a strong foundation of the value system of an individual.