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The True Meaning of Family Values: How Do They Shape Our Society?
Family values, often referred to as family ethics, refer to traditional or cultural values related to the structure, functions, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals of the family. This concept reflects the importance an individual places on family relationships in his or her life. Particularly in social science and American political discourse, the concept of the traditional family often refers to a nuclear family consisting of a father, a stay-at-home homemaker, and their biological children. Families that deviate from this pattern are considered non-traditional families.
Family values are defined as “the moral and ethical principles passed down within a family, such as loyalty, honesty, truth, and faith.”
“Values necessary for the functioning of the family and the structure of society, especially traditional or conservative values.”
“Values taught or reinforced in the family, such as high moral standards and discipline.”
The influence of family values in politics
Familism is an ideology that puts family and its values first. Familism advocates that the family, not the government, should be responsible for the care of its members. In the United States, the slogan "family values" is used by social conservatives to express their views on abortion, contraception, environmentalism, feminism, pornography, comprehensive sex education, divorce, LGBTQ, same-sex marriage, civil unions, and so-called "gender ideology." , secularism and atheism.
The concept of "family values" was first introduced to the public at the 1992 Republican National Convention, when an event called "Family Values Night" was held with Barbara Bush as the keynote speaker. While the slogan was widely criticized in the short term, its impact was ultimately underestimated.
Family Values by Region
Arab culture
In Saudi Arabia, the teachings of Islam and Arab culture together shape the values of most people. The family is regarded as the foundation of Muslim society and culture, and the family structure and the relationships between its members are largely influenced by Islam. Marriage is not just the union of two people, but the union of two families.
"In Muslim societies, marriage is a social contract that must be performed with the consent of parents or guardians."
“Children are held in the highest regard and are strongly encouraged to respect and obey their parents.”
American Culture
According to sociological definitions, nontraditional families have become the majority of families in the United States. Data from 2014 show that only 46% of American children live in traditional families, down from 61% in 1980.
“This figure only counts families with parents who are getting married for the first time, whereas in 2016, the proportion of children living with two married parents was 65%.”
Organizations related to family values
Many groups associated with "family values" have been designated as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center for their anti-LGBT activities, including the American Family Association, the Family Research Council, the Family Institute, Focus on the Family, the Alliance for Traditional Values, and the World Congress of Families. wait.
A phenomenon that cannot be ignored
Family values not only shape our family structures, but also exert a profound influence on our society. Whether it is cultural, political or social dynamics, the function and structure of the family reflects the deeper values behind it. This is a question worth our deep consideration: In a rapidly changing society, how can our family values influence the future social structure?
