What Kinds of Values Are There?
Types of values including personal, family, socio-cultural, material, spiritual and moral values. A value refers to a person’s principles or standards of behavior. It is an individual’s judgement of what is important in life. Examples of universal values include honesty, responsibility, truth, tolerance, cooperation, solidarity, peace and respect. Other values in life are affection, adventure, abundance, acceptance, creativity and credibility.
Personal values are absolute or relative. Ethical values provide the foundation for ethical action. They are considered fundamental principles on which one’s life is built and which guide how one relates with others. Personal values are largely determined by family values, social-cultural values and individual’s own experiences.
Family values are the principles valued in a family, and may be good or bad. They are derived from the ultimate beliefs of parents who use them to raise their children. Family values are among the fundamental principles that guide an individual’s behavior in society.
Social-cultural values are the existing values of a given society which may or may not be in tandem with personal or family values. Moral values are the attitudes and conducts regarded by the society as important for mutual coexistence, order and overall well-being.
Material values are essential for survival. They are related to humanity’s basic needs and also involve protection from the environment. Spiritual or religious values govern the non-material aspects of people’s lives and allow individuals to feel a sense of fulfillment.
