Family values

Values are a reflection of who we are, of our culture and of our own unique heritage. Being clear about our values enables and empowers us to establish priorities and make decisions that we can live with and by. What we learn from our families in childhood builds character and serves us throughout our lives. Families guide personal growth and education, while offering love and protection.

Many of our family ideals, beliefs, behaviours or “values” are merely habits of thinking or behaving.

Values are critical in building character and increasing an overall sense of well-being. The foundation of character building begins during infancy and slowly evolves through childhood and adolescence. People do not suddenly become honest and responsible. The development of these values is a long process that entails many interactions between children and adults.

Positive values within families:

Promote honesty, integrity, commitment and loyalty
Encourage respect for self and others and tolerance of differences
Require being responsible and accountable for your actions
Teach fairness and treating people equally
Foster being a good citizen who appreciates doing things which make life better for self and other people.

The point is for you to determine what you actually value. Here is the list of values important to you.

health commitment being responsible

wealth helping others status

beauty civic mindedness work

integrity freedom personal growth

success recreation learning

happiness wisdom/intelligence making others happy

family friendship being loved

respect fairness family vacations

self-worth ownership self-confidence

empathy self-assertion creativity

power/authority education cooperation

harmony prestige sensory pleasure

curiosity security honesty

interdependence tools/technology food/warmth/shelter

self-preservation solitude justice

self-control being self wholeness

What are do you value most? Explain your top five.

YOUR TOP EIGHT VALUES:

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You have surveyed your family. Now read each statement in family strengths assessment and circle the choice how you feel about it. It’s time to come to the conclusion how strong your family is.

Almost Sometimes Almost

never true true always

true

1. Our family talks things out when differences arise.
2. We have a sense of humour.
3. All members of our family are permitted to be unique individuals.
4. There are activities that we all enjoy doing together.
5. We respect each other’s feelings.
6. In our home, we feel loved and cared about.
7. We have many contacts and connections with friends and acquaintances.
8. There is a sense of belonging in our family.
9. We spend a good deal of time together.
10. We establish reasonable goals for ourselves.
11. We encourage one another to grow and develop.
12. We show appreciation for what we do for one another.
13. The members of our family know what the others believe in and stand for.
14. In our family, everyone has a voice in plans and decisions.
15. We spend a lot of time talking about our feelings, hopes, aspirations, joys, sorrows, wants, and needs.
16. In our family, differing opinions and view points are welcome and listened to.
17. Members of our family readily admit their mistakes.
18. Our family is open to change and is flexible regarding rules and roles.
19. I’m proud of my family.
20. I feel understood by other members of the family.
21. Family members treat each other with respect.
22. Elders are respected in our family.
23. Family members “pull together” when necessary.
24. We have cultural traditions that we practice.
25. Our family tries to look on the bright side no matter what happens.
26. We believe there are more advantages than disadvantages to the way we live.
27. Our roles in the family are shared.
28. We believe that our lifestyle has made us better people and a stronger family.
29. We try to prevent problems before they happen.
30. We can talk about things without arguing.
31. We enjoy learning in our family.
32. We listen to each other.
33. In our family we share memories together.