Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply. Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
7. Discuss the role of family in inculcating values in a person. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question is very much straight forward from the static portions of the GS paper IV.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the role of family in inculcating values in a person.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce by explaining what values are.
Body:
Discuss the role of the family in inculcating values, giving examples of both good and bad.
Values are an individual/group’s own principles or qualities guiding their judgment and behaviour. They can be intrinsic like truth, courage, goodness, etc or they can be extrinsic like wealth, fame, physical strength, etc., and their sum-total forms the value system.
Role of Family:
- The first institution of socialization for a person is his/her family. Since values have an affective component, family plays a major role in an individual subscribing to certain values. For example, a child can acquire courage as a value after watching his family being honest and courageous.
- However, family can impart values with negative outcomes also. A child growing up in an environment of power and corruption may look down on the value of honesty and value power more.
- The sustained relationships and the existing value system of the family members shape the values of a child and accordingly the child’s attitude towards the family, society and oneself is formed. A family, where good values are encouraged and bad values are discouraged, supports in forming a strong and desirable value system in an individual, which in turn helps in maintaining the stability of the society.
Conclusion:
Conclude that though there are other factors like peer groups, educational institutions, and society at large, which later influence the value system of a person, it is the family which lays down a strong foundation of the value system of an individual.
