Family values

Family values, sometimes referred to as familial values, are traditional or cultural values (that is, values passed on from generation to generation within families) that pertain to the family's structure, function, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals. In the social sciences, sociologists may use the term "traditional family" in order to refer specifically to the child-rearing environment that sociologists formerly called the norm. This "traditional family" involves a middle-class family with a breadwinner father and a homemaker mother, raising their biological children. Any deviation from this family model is considered a "nontraditional family". Nontraditional families, nevertheless, make up the majority of American households, as of now.^[1]

Definition

According to Dictionary.com, "family values" is defined as "the moral and ethical principles traditionally upheld and transmitted within a family, as honesty, loyalty, industry, and faith."^[2]

According to Merriam-Webster, "family values" are "values especially of a traditional or conservative kind which are held to promote the sound functioning of the family and to strengthen the fabric of society".^[3]

According to OxfordDictionaries.com, "family values" are "values held to be traditionally learned or reinforced within a family, such as those of high moral standards and discipline."^[4]

In politics

Familialism or familism is the ideology that puts priority to family and family values.^[5] This can manifest as prioritizing the needs of the family higher than that of individuals, with influence on individuals as well as on society and politics.^[5] Politically, familialism may advocate a welfare system wherein it is presumed that families will take responsibility for the care of its members rather than leaving that responsibility to the government.^[5]

In culture

Saudi culture

Interpretations of Islamic teachings and Arab culture are common for the majority of Saudis; Islam is a driving cultural force that means a submission to the will of God; a Muslim is a follower or one who obeys the will of God.^[6] An indisputable fact in the academic literature suggests that the family is regarded as the main foundation of Muslim society and culture; the family structure and nature of the relationship between family members are influenced by the Islamic religion.^[7] Marriage in Saudi culture means the union of two families, not just two individuals.^[8] In Muslim society, marriage involves a social contract that occurs with the consent of parents or guardians. Furthermore, marriage is considered the only legitimate outlet for sexual desires, and sex outside marriage is considered a crime that is punished under Islamic law.^[9] This view of marriage is similar to the Western Christian view of marriage, created in 12th century France, which promised salvation, sex without sin, and so much more.^[10]

The Saudi family includes extended families, as the extended family provides the individual with a sense of identity. The father is often the breadwinner and protector of the family, whereas the mother is often the homemaker and the main nurturer of the children.^[11] Parents are regarded with high respect, and children are highly encouraged to respect and obey their parents.^[12] Oftentimes, families provide elderly care. Until recently, because families and friends are expected to provide elderly care, the concept of the "nursing home" was considered culturally unacceptable.^[13] In Saudi hospitals, daughters may accompany their fragile mothers while sons may accompany their fragile fathers due to the separation of the sexes in hospital wards.

See also

• Decency

References

Further reading

• Bennett, William J. (ed.) (1997). The Book of Virtues for Young People: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (illustrated, reprint). Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-689-81613-0
• Bork, Robert H. (2010). Slouching towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline (revised edition). HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-203091-7
• Coontz, Stephanie (1992). The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap (illustrated, reprinted ed.). Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-465-09097-6
• Coontz, Stephanie (2008). The Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms with America's Changing Families. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-7867-2556-4
• Coontz, Stephanie (ed.) (2013). American Families: A Multicultural Reader (2nd edition, revised). Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-77691-6
• Coontz, Stephanie (2006). Marriage, A History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage. Penguin. ISBN 978-1-101-11825-2
• Gairdner, William Douglas (2007). The War Against the Family: A Parent Speaks Out on the Political, Economic, and Social Policies That Threaten Us All. BPS Books. ISBN 978-0-9784402-1-3
• Good, Deirdre (2006). Jesus' Family Values. Church Publishing Inc. ISBN 978-1-59627-163-0
• Shapiro, Ben (2005). Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism is Corrupting Our Future. Regnery. ISBN 978-1-59698-686-2
• Stacey, Judith (1996). In the Name of the Family: Rethinking Family Values in the Postmodern Age (reprint). Beacon Press. ISBN 978-0-8070-0433-3

External links

• ABC Radio National on Jesus and "family values"