What is a Value System?

A value system refers to how an individual or a group of individuals organize their ethical or ideological values. A well-defined value system is a moral code. One or more people can hold a value system. Likewise, a value system can apply to either one person or many. A personal value system is held by and applied to one individual only. Each individual or culture has certain underlying values that contribute to their value system (see value in semiotics). Values are subjective and may vary across people and cultures.

Personal values
Personal values evolve from experiences with the external world and can change over time. Integrity in the application of values refers to its continuity; persons have integrity if they apply their values appropriately regardless of arguments or negative reinforcement from others. Values are applied appropriately when they are applied in the right area. For example, it would be appropriate to apply religious values in times of happiness as well as in times of despair.

Personal values are implicitly related to choice; they guide decisions by allowing for an individual's choices to be compared to each choice's associated values.' Personal values developed early in life may be resistant to change. They may be derived from those of particular groups or systems, such as culture, religion, and political party. However, personal values are not universal; one's genes, family, nation and historical environment determine one's personal values. This is not to say that the value concepts themselves are not universal, merely that each individual possess a unique conception of them i.e. a personal knowledge of the appropriate values for their own genes, feelings and experience. 

Cultural values
Groups, societies, or cultures have values that are largely shared by its members. Members share a culture even if each member's personal values do not entirely agree with some normative values sanctioned in the culture. This reflects an individual's ability to synthesize and extract aspects valuable to them from the multiple subcultures they belong to.

If an individual expresses a value that is in serious conflict with their group's norms, the group's authority may carry out various ways of stigmatizing or conforming the individual. For example, imprisonment can result from conflict with social norms that have been established as law.

Questionnaire

Behavioral Data Research Results

The following results were tabulated over a period of a two week time frame in which fifty emails were sent out to all the women I had in my database. I sent out a five question questionnaire, these women were to answer each question as honest and open to help me conduct my research on women’s value systems. The results are as followed, out a total of 50 emailed questionnaires' there were a total of 16 replies from women who participated in answering the questions. Next, there were a total of 14 declines from women who were not able to participate and finally, there were a total of 20 no response from the women that were sent the questionnaire.

• 50 questionnaire emailed
• 16 replies = Participants
• 14 declines
• 20 no responses

The following results will be that of the 16 participants (P) that answered the questionnaire. The first question that I proposed to the women was Do you value who you are? All 16 of the women answered yes to the question however, there were 5 alternate answers with the following participants.

• 16 – Single Yes answers
• 5 – Extended answers

Question #1 Do you value who you are?
Extended Answers:

P1 Yes I absolutely do. I didn’t always but over the years I have learned to.

P5 I value who I am but do not always accept the way others value me.

P8 Yes, but I think not enough. I think that we sometimes forget how fortunate we truly are. The small things that we take for granted.

P14 I not only value myself but all women making a difference in society today.

P15 Yes, I value who I am, it has taken me a long time to get to this point.

Question #2 Describe how your own personal value was defined and or shaped while growing up.

Positive Aspects for defining value:

• Positive - 8 - Participants
• Negative - 3 - Participants
• Both - 5 – Participants

P3 Definitely by family. Youth organizations, working for social organizations, Religion, friends, personal experiences.

P6 My personal value was instilled on me growing up. This was done by attending a Lutheran school, as well as going to church, and being in youth "church" activities. I also feel by seeing how it has gotten me through some rough times in my life you see the value in it.

P7 My personal value system was shaped by my parents, peers, and friends while growing up.

P8 Very strict Mexican family, the man works, the wife raises the children. Even after my father became disabled my mother did not work and we survived on my father's disability payments. We didn't have much but we were "happy". We did a lot of family inexpensive/free activities, riding bikes, swimming at the local park, and hiking. Money was definitely not everything.

P9 My values were defined initially from my parents. I feel they shaped my value system based on their value system. I also feel that additional value structure was added by other adults in my life. Throughout my childhood and teen years I met other adults (friends/teachers) who may have took interest in me as a child/teen and instilled their values/beliefs in me.

P13 I think that my personal value system was defined quite young. I had a child at 16 and I think that played an intricate part in defining me and my value system. I feel that being responsible for a child, needed me to think about what I wanted for myself and my child and how I wanted him to develop. I think I was defined as I raised him.

P15 My personal value system was shaped by my parents and Catholic School. My father being a Police Officer instilled being honest and law abiding of course. I attended Catholic School which taught discipline, structure, respect and religion.

P16 My personal value has been shaped by what I learned and observed from my family and friends. My parents always instilled the importance of family, helping others, being honest, loyal and trustworthy. Growing up, I always saw how hard my parents worked having multiple jobs to support a family of six. Often, the kids would have to hurry home so we could help my parents with a paper route! My parents would always tell me that education wasn't an option for them, which taught me the value of education, strong work ethic and importance of job security. I learned to appreciate and continue all of those values in my life.

Negative/Non Defined Value system growing up:
P5 My own value was defined by my life experiences. Was not taught.

P11 I don't believe that my personal value was define or shaped while growing up. Realizing my own value came in my mid twenties when I finally moved on my own and became independent and dependent on me.

P14 During the 60's women were raised to be housewives and mothers. Being a black woman in the 60's was an even greater challenge. Girls in my culture were raised to be seen and not heard. We were trained to cook and clean. We were not encouraged to go to college or to pursue a career. We could not even look a male in the eye. Women were not seen as equal to men. Men ruled and dominated the home. My brothers were taught to do the same. A working woman was looked down on. If a woman were to wear pants she was considered masculine. Wow has things changed!

Both Positive & Negative/Non Defined Value system growing up:
P1 My values were defined growing up in a very dysfunctional family. I was told as a child that I would never amount to anything. I made up my mind at a very early age I would prove those statements wrong.

P2 Whatever I didn't get from home I probably got from school. I was an eager student and a top student and I always received great encouragement from my teachers for my academic abilities and artistic talents. I sought approval from my instructors and trusted them to shape my mind and values. Both my parents are and have always been very decent, honest and good people but I wasn't relying on them to teach me right from wrong in any overt fashion.

P4 As a child I cannot remember there being a strong family structure where
good values were set, although I can recall the attempt coming from my mother she did try to set some values in me the best way she knew how. I would go to church on Sunday and by doing so I would learn to respect others and most important respect people whom were older than me. The rule was you were to be seeing not heard. This had a great impact on me because as an adult I know the importance of respect.

P10 While growing up my father was in the US Navy away from home, I only saw him when he was out on leave, but when he came home I was very happy, he gave me lots of attention and love. My mother was a housewife who provided for her four children one son three daughters. My mother would take us to church every Sunday sometimes during the week also she read the bible to us. She would explain to us how to be a good person, and to have respect for adults and others. That was her discipline to us, but she didn’t know how to give us her love, by kisses or hugging us. I guess that was her way of caring. By the time I was in my teens she remarried and her values weren’t the same.

P12 I don't believe that my personal value was defined or shaped while growing up. Realizing my own value came in my mid twenties when I finally moved out on my own and became independent and dependent on me.

Question #3 Value Systems today is the same as to when you were growing up?

Result Examples: Same Value System

• Same Value System – 7 - P1, P2, P3, P8, P9, P10 , P16
• Mixed Values – 5 – P4, P5, P6, P13, P15
• Not the Same Value System – 4 – P7, P11, P12, P14

P1 I believe so. I refuse to let anyone or anything define who and what I am. I always have known right from wrong.

P8 I believe basically it is somewhat the same. As an adult, learning and life experiences I have grown as a person and have learned to value myself more than as a young person. And as a parent I feel my values are stronger, especially since I am a role model and want to instill those same values in my children. The beauty is when you see your children learning to respect themselves and others and begin to understand their place in this world.

P16 Yes, if not stronger! I don't necessarily think my values have changed but have become even more important to me when I got married and had children. As a kid, I was able to learn and take things in from my family (see above) but it wasn't until I had my own life experiences that I could really conceptualize what all those values meant. I believe my personal value system was learned from my family and defined me as a positive, optimistic and motivated individual; all characteristics that I would like my children to be exposed to.

Mixed Values:
P4 Yes I do, the values system that I was forming as a child was not so important then as they are now because without them I believe I would be as a jelly fish just flouting along without a spine. Time is a key factor; time has taught me the true importance of having values and knowing your self worth.

P13 The basic core is I think it has been fine tuned to accommodate changes in life and experiences.

P15 Some of my personal values have changed and some remained the same. I value taking care of myself and my weight but now I don’t obsess about it. I live life but with balance now. I know how to have fun but know when there is work to be done. I love spending time with my family and friends and by myself. I set and respect boundaries with my husband and have friends from all different walks of life. I know how to give love and accept love. I respect others’ opinions and feel comfortable stating my own. I value money but not so much for what it can buy but for the peace of mind it can give you if manage it well.
Not the Same Value System:

P7 My value system is not the same today as it was.

P11 Nope, think it's altered improved. Actually think much better of myself now.

 
P14 Absolutely not! I did not raise my 3 children this way. Everything is done equally. My daughter is encouraged to follow her own dreams and passions. My sons respect women and their role as a leader. Their value system is totally different from mine growing up.

Question #4 If your value system has changed, how has it changed and why?Result Examples: Values Changed

• Not Applicable – 5 – P1, P2, P11, P13, P16 – No applicable answers
• Values Changed – 11 – P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P12, P14, P15

P4 Time and age puts a different light on how you look at yourself when your young oppose to when you are older. I have over looked a lot as a child by letting others step on my values and not standing up for who I am as a person. Where as now I feel I have to take a stand so as not to feel violated and demand to be treated as a person with standards and values.

P6 If your value system has changed, how has it changed and why? Explain the process. I feel it has changed a little. I feel it has changed based upon certain situations I have gone through. For example being molested/or raped. My values had to change a little. Growing up knowing you had to wait till you got married and having a horrific situation happen to you. It change who you are. But it means that I had to lose part of my value system knowing it wasn’t my fault adjusting your value system. (Very hard to explain).

P7 I changed my value system as when I was 32 years old I was given a message that Jesus Christ was real and wanted a relationship with me. I invited Jesus into my heart, started going to church and He taught me that the real truth and value system is in the Holy Bible. I have been a student ever since. It did not matter what I thought, but God's truth is real and we will each give an account as to what we did with it when we die. As we will live eternity in heaven with him or in hell in a lake of fire. I also found out that God is not an angry God. That He loves everyone and wants to have a relationship with all people. The question is; are all people willing to have a relationship with Him and live by His truth?

P8 I still don't believe that money is everything but I want MORE for my children. My husband and I work hard to provide for our family. We have a large home, 4 vehicles to 2 drivers, investments. Sadly, I find myself spending SO much time at work and not enough with my children. While the children don't "ask" for much, they DO have much more than I ever had. At times I feel that they take it for granted, they really don't realize how good they have it.

P10 Yes…The only change is by growing up seeing life the different between other families and friends, not everyone has the same concept of raising their children, value or discipline what I have seen. It has changed in a way where I can show my Love for my children which I didn’t have growing up, and caring for others give me great satisfaction, also trying to correct my mistakes.

P12 I realized that I am important and that I was never nourished by the people around me in ways that were positive or encouraging. I was made to feel that other people defined who I was and how I should behave. I changed the path that I was on; I left a relationship that was reinforcing the same negative opinions I had of myself and my personal abilities.

Question #5 If your value system has remained, what has allowed you to continue?
Result Examples: Values Remained

• Not Applicable – 6 – P7, P8, P9, P11, P12, P14 – No applicable answers
• Values Remained – 8 – P1, P3, P4, P5, P6, P10, P13, P16
• Mixed Values Remained - 2 – P2, , P15

P1 I am a true believer in “What comes around”. That train of thought keeps me on the straight and narrow.

P10 Just continuing to be true to myself!

P13 To me one main reason why it has stayed stable is because my faith does not change. This is important to me and how I raise my children. I see that my children have become healthy positive individuals despite the difficulties of the world around them. They are compassionate, value themselves and are strong; this to me comes from consistency of what is expected of them and what has been taught to them.
Mixed Values Remained:

P2 I suppose nothing I have experienced or learned has come along to challenge my most basic values.

P15 The values that have continued are because they bring me peace, balance and challenge. The world seems to be more violent, women and children are still being exploited and though. I can’t change the world I can help shape the lives of my daughter and granddaughter through the karmic values that have the not failed me.

Behavioral Data Questionnaire Table
1. Do you value who you are?
2. Describe how your personal value was defined and or shaped while growing up.
3. Do you believe your personal value system today is the same value system as to when you were growing up?
4. If your value system has changed, how has it changed and why? Explain the process.
5. If your value system has remained, what has allowed you to continue with your value system?

50 Questionnaire e-mail
16 replies
14 declines
20 no responses