Development of Values

 
Values develop due to children’s internalization of cultural norms including beliefs regarding what is appropriate and what is inappropriate at very young age. These cultural norms are internalized through various socialization processes (identification, internalization, role playing, rewards and punishments, trial and error).Parents during socialization of children facilitates value development by rewarding socially approved behaviour and punishing the behaviour which are disapproved. They also make an effort to ensure that child is exposed to appropriate role model so that he can identify with them and internalize their values.

Role of family
For children, the family represents a certain type of environment where they could find support, safety and security – it is the basic background for them. A child is a product of a family and it is reflected in his/her features, behaviour and values. The values that a child receives in a family will probably determine his/her behaviour in the future. Family values among the members of a family are based on the relationship of affinity and touch mostly feelings, emotions and interests established on mutual respect of people living in a family.
The family and society is important in developing the moral values of child. There is a close contact between the parents and children, which determine the personality of child. Family is the foundation on which values are built. Moral values like truthfulness, happiness, peace, justice are instilled in children’s thoughts, feelings and actions and they function as ideals and standards that govern their actions in their life. The value system practised in the family becomes automatic to the young family members if they are taught moral values systematically.
The family, shapes the child’s attitude towards people and society, and helps in mental growth in the child and supports his ambitions and values. Blissful and cheerful atmosphere in the family will develop the love, affection, tolerance, and generosity. A child learns his behavior by modelling what he sees around him. Family plays a major role in helping a child socialize and has great influence and bearing on the progress of the child. Joint family system, the presence of elders in the family plays the effective role in social and moral development of the children. It will also help young generation of the family to imbibe human values and eradicate their negative mental tendencies when they are among elders. Children identify themselves with their parents, other family elders and adopt them as their personal models for emulation and imitation. The behavioural problems are set correct only by the involvement of family in the child’s life as they spend most of their time in adolescence with the parents. Family is the first social organisation that provides the immediate proximity from which the kid can learn his behavior. Social standards and customs defined by a family provide the emotional and physical basis for a child. Values developed by a family are the foundation for how children learn, grow and function in the world. These beliefs, transmits the way of life a child lives and changes into an individual in a society. These values and morals guides the individual every time in his actions. Children turn out to be a good person because of the value taught and given by his family members Ideas passed down from generation to generation make up a family values. Customs and Traditions followed and taught by the family leads a disciplined and organized life. Families values helps the child to stand strong on his views despite others efforts to break through with opposing beliefs. A child has a strong sense of what is right and wrong and are less likely to become victims of deviant influences.

Role of Schools
It is 1st formal agency of socialization .It teaches cultural norms and values through formal and informal ways. Schools teaches values in both formal and informal ways. School by incorporating moral stories and life histories of great leaders in its curriculum impart values to its pupils in formal ways. School also provides informal ways of socialization .Peer group, teachers etc. also imparts values to students. Students learn values either by coming in their direct contact or by observing their behaviour. Teachers act as role model for students. Children learn many values from their good teachers by incorporating their behaviour pattern in themselves. Peer group also plays important role in shaping attitudes and behaviour of its member. Group identity and group pressure ensures that its member should show some normative beviour .While following this normative behaviour some values gets inculcated in its member’s behaviour . In school, children are members of a small society that exerts a tremendous influence on their moral development. Teachers serve as role model to students in school; they play a major role in inculcating their ethical behavior. Peers at school diffuse boldness about cheating, lying, stealing, and consideration for others. Though there are rules and regulations, the educational institutions infuse the value education to the children in an informal way. They play a major role in developing ethical behaviour in children.

Role of Media
Media is mode of communication .When this communication happens with masses it is called mass media. Mass media including social networking media is becoming important agency of socialization, hence,its role in value fostering is becoming increasingly important. Mass media can bring social change by shaping people’s attitude, opinions, beliefs, values etc. This social change is brought by mass media by imparting information, by providing role models etc. Present day revolution of social networking sites such as facebook,orkut, what’s up , twitter etc. are also promoting good values among its members by popularizing some acts and behaviours as good and bad.

By: Mona Kaushal