Sex can wait- Lesson 2 –
Understanding values
• Everything we do, every decision we make
and every action we take is based on our
consciously or unconsciously held beliefs,
attitudes and values
What are values?
Is a person born with values?
How and when do values develop?
Who has the greatest influence on
your values?
Does this change throughout your
life?
At what stage are most teens with
regard to forming values?
How do values affect thoughts,
feelings and actions
Why is it important that teens be
aware of how values influence
them
What can young people do to
enhance their values formation
Value
• Defined as a principle, standard or
quality considered worthwhile or
describable
• Essentially or personal values form a
foundation for how we think, feel and act
Value
• Our values help to define who we are as
people
• people who have an established set of
values upon which to rely can be
confident, independent and decisive.
• They know what they believe, and they act
on those beliefs.
• Values and decision making go hand in
hand
Value formation is not an easy task
The value of values
• Certain criteria must be met before something
can be considered a value
• 1. Chosen freely
• 2. Chosen from among alternatives
• 3. Chosen after due reflection
• 4. Prized and cherished
• 5. Publicly affirmed
• 6. Acted upon
• 7. Part of a pattern that is repeated action
The teen years
• Truly a time of values formation
• Friends, family, media
• Some values reflect different perspectives
(valuing post-high school education)
• Appreciating and tolerance of others views
is important
Parents, teachers, friends and
media
• 1. FORMAL STATEMENTS - they believe
to be good, bad, right, wrong, important,
unimportant
• Example: It is important to save money
• It is good to help others who are less
fortunate
• Sex before marriage is wrong
• 2. Informal Comments –
• Example – I wish we could afford a house
like that
• If those neighbors don’t keep the rash out
of their yard
• That boy is just looking for trouble
• In Behavior – Lifestyle, speaking patterns,
treatment of others
• In Rules and expectations they
establish – curfews, dating guidelines,
classroom rules
Hand out 2.1
I do/ I believe handout 2.2
Overhead What’s worth valuing?
Transparency 2B
Standards for Important Values
Transparency 2C
• You feel it is important to you now and will
remain important to you in the future
• You include it in your life even if you have
to give up something else for it
• You stick to it even if your friends do not
agree with you
• You think the world would be a better
place if everyone appreciated this value