A child learns values by what he observes around him Discuss the role of family and society in the formation of values in the light of this statement

We will also explore the role of family and society in shaping and forming these values. So, let’s begin our discussion and understand how the environment around a child influences what kind of person he or she becomes.

INTRODUCTION TO VALUES

Before we talk about the family and society, let’s first understand — what are values?

Values are the basic principles or beliefs that guide our behavior and decision-making.
They tell us what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad.
They form the moral foundation of our life.

For example:

Telling the truth is a value.
Helping others is a value.
Respecting elders is a value.
Working hard is also a value.

Values are not something that we are born with.
A child does not automatically know what honesty, kindness, or respect means.
These are learned qualities, and they are learned mainly through observation and experience.

That is why it is said —

“A child learns values by what he observes around him.”

Whatever a child sees in his surroundings — the behavior of parents, teachers, friends, and people in society — slowly shapes his thoughts, beliefs, and actions.

HOW CHILDREN LEARN VALUES

A child’s mind is like wet clay — soft, impressionable, and ready to take any shape.
Whatever pattern we press on it, that shape becomes permanent.
Similarly, whatever the child sees, hears, and experiences becomes part of his character.

Children learn not from what we say, but from what we do.
If a parent tells a child to be honest but himself lies to others, the child will learn to lie.
If a parent shows kindness to others, the child will imitate that kindness.

This process of learning by watching others is called social learning.
It means children learn through observation and imitation.

Psychologist Albert Bandura called this “observational learning.”
According to him, behavior is learned by watching models — like parents, teachers, peers, or public figures — and copying them.

So, the environment plays a big role in shaping a child’s values.

ROLE OF FAMILY IN FORMATION OF VALUES

Now let us discuss the role of the family, which is the first school of values for a child.

From birth till early childhood, a child spends most of his time with his family.
It is within the family that he learns his first lessons of love, respect, discipline, and honesty.

Let’s look at some important ways in which the family shapes values:

1. Parents as Role Models:
Children observe how their parents behave with each other and with others.
If parents show mutual respect, share responsibilities, and speak politely, children learn these same values.
If parents quarrel, lie, or behave rudely, children may copy those behaviors.

So, parents are the first role models for a child’s moral development.

2. Communication and Guidance:
When parents talk openly with their children, guide them gently, and explain why certain actions are right or wrong, children develop moral reasoning.
For example, if a child takes something that doesn’t belong to him, and the parents explain kindly why it’s wrong, the child learns the value of honesty.

3. Emotional Support and Love:
A loving and caring family environment helps a child feel safe and respected.
Such children often grow up to be confident, empathetic, and kind to others.
When children feel neglected or unloved, they may develop anger, insecurity, or a lack of empathy.

4. Traditions and Rituals:
Family traditions — like celebrating festivals, praying together, helping the needy, or having family meals — all teach cultural and moral values.
They teach respect for elders, gratitude for what one has, and sharing with others.

5. Discipline and Responsibility:
Parents teach discipline by setting boundaries and rewarding good behavior.
For example, encouraging the child to complete homework on time, take care of belongings, or help at home teaches responsibility and time management.

So, family acts as the foundation for value formation.
It lays the emotional and moral base upon which society builds further values.

ROLE OF SOCIETY IN FORMATION OF VALUES

After family, the next important influence is society — which includes schools, friends, media, neighbors, and the community.

Let’s see how society plays its part in shaping a child’s value system.

1. School as a Mini-Society:
School is the first formal institution where a child interacts with others outside the family.
Teachers play a very important role here.
Through their teaching and conduct, teachers inspire values like punctuality, respect for rules, teamwork, and honesty.

Activities like group projects, sports, and social service help children learn cooperation, discipline, and fairness.

2. Peer Group Influence:
As children grow, they spend more time with friends.
Peer groups influence behavior, language, and attitudes.
If the peer group values hard work, honesty, and respect, the child will adopt the same.
But if the peer group encourages lying or bullying, it can lead to negative values.

That’s why guidance and monitoring are necessary during adolescence.

3. Community and Social Environment:
The larger community — neighbors, local leaders, and social organizations — also influences values.
When a community promotes cleanliness, kindness, and collective welfare, children learn civic values like cooperation and responsibility.

For example, a community that organizes tree-planting drives or cleanliness campaigns teaches environmental values.

4. Media and Technology:
In today’s world, media — television, internet, social media — plays a huge role in shaping attitudes and values.
Children watch movies, videos, and games that can influence their behavior.
Positive media can inspire honesty, courage, and kindness.
However, negative content showing violence or greed can harm young minds.

So, parental supervision and moral education become very important.

5. Culture and Religion:
Cultural practices and religious teachings also guide moral values.
They teach children the importance of truth, compassion, respect, and tolerance.
But these teachings must be presented in a way that encourages harmony, not division.

Thus, society acts as the broad school of life where children continuously learn and practice the values they first learned at home.

HOW FAMILY AND SOCIETY WORK TOGETHER

Family and society are not separate; they complement each other.
If both give the same message — of honesty, respect, and empathy — the child develops a strong moral character.

For example, if the family teaches kindness and the school encourages helping others, the value becomes deep-rooted.
But if there is a conflict — say, the family values honesty but society rewards corruption — the child becomes confused.

So, both family and society must create a positive and consistent environment that supports ethical behavior.

SUGGESTIONS TO PROMOTE GOOD VALUES

To strengthen moral values in children, we can take the following steps:

1. Parents should lead by example — live the values they want their children to follow.

2. Schools should include moral education as part of the curriculum.

3. Media should promote positive role models and ethical stories.

4. Communities should engage children in social work to build empathy.

5. Encourage discussions at home about honesty, fairness, and compassion.

To sum up, a child is like a mirror that reflects what he sees around him.
Both family and society act as mirrors that show the image of the world — kind or cruel, honest or dishonest.
If the environment around the child is positive, the child grows into a good human being.

So, as parents, teachers, and citizens, it is our duty to create a moral environment where children can learn the best values through our actions, not just our words.

Because remember —

“Children may forget what you said, but they will never forget what they saw you do.”