What Are the Key Contributors to Social Value Systems?

In my previous articles, I wrote about the significance of social value systems and some of the key characteristics of harmful social value systems. Through this article, I am hoping to convey that the complexity and diversity of social value systems are influenced by a range of societal, cultural, and personal elements. In particular, it is critical to understand the details so that improved programs, policies, or attempts can be made to improvise value systems.

Social value systems are dynamic, dynamically interrelated, and ever-evolving. We generally recognize the following as significant influences on societal value systems:

Cultural Influences: Social value systems are significantly shaped by culture (Saroglou, 2018). Ethical standards, moral principles, and behavioral expectations are established in a society through shared ideas, customs, and cultural norms. Cultural legacy has a profound impact on people’s perceptions of and interactions with the outside world, greatly adding to the social value system (Hofstede, 1980, Inglehart and Norris, 2022).

Family and Upbringing: One of the main means of conveying values is the family unit. Moral compass and ethical considerations are greatly influenced by an individual’s upbringing and the beliefs instilled by guardians, parents, and extended family members (Collins and Laursen, 2008). Broader social values are shaped by family values as a fundamental component. According to Berndt (1992), close friends also have a significant influence on a person’s social values.

Education Systems: According to Apple (1979), educational establishments have a significant influence on societal value systems. In addition to encouraging critical thinking and instilling a feeling of civic responsibility, formal education exposes people to moral and ethical concepts. Education systems’ promotion of values aids in the formation of knowledgeable and morally conscious citizens.

Communication and the Media: By influencing public opinion, distributing information, and presenting cultural norms, the media — which includes newspapers, television, social media, and other platforms — shapes society values (Iyengar et al. 2008). The media has the ability to influence how people see things, advance particular values, and help build societal attitudes and views (Iyengar and Kinder, 2022).

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs: Social value systems are significantly influenced by religious and spiritual beliefs. Religious teachings’ moral and ethical precepts frequently have a significant influence on society values (Durkheim, 1912; Brunner, 2022). Religious or spiritual beliefs can provide people and communities a sense of direction, morality, and ethical standards (Weber, 1905).

Legal and Political Systems: The legal framework that governs society’s operations is established by legal and political institutions. The preservation of individual rights, fairness, and the definition of appropriate behavior are all influenced by laws and governance structures (Weber, 1919; Easton, 1965; Burstein and He, 2022).

Technological Advancements: Communication, privacy, and innovation-related ethics are all impacted by technological advancements, which in turn define social ideals. Social norms and ethical frameworks are impacted by the new opportunities and difficulties brought forth by the digital era.

Understanding the above contributors is critical for researchers, policy and program designers and decision makers. What defines value is a mixture of long interacting systems. When we aspire to make a better society for everyone, we need to think about promoting desired and ideal value systems and discard the undesired ones.

References:

Apple, M. W. (1979). Ideology and education. Routledge.

Berndt, T. J. (1992). Friendship in adulthood: An interpersonal approach. Sage Publications.

Burstein, P., & He, D. (2022). The political economy of social policy: How government policies shape social values. Cambridge University Press.

Brunner, J. (2022). The religious roots of social values: A sociological perspective. Oxford University Press.

Durkheim, É. (1912). The elementary forms of the religious life. The Free Press.

Easton, D. (1965). The political system: An inquiry into the state of political science. Knopf.

Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture’s consequences: International differences in work-related values. Sage Publications.

Iyengar, S., & Kinder, D. R. (2008). The media’s role in framing political issues: A perspective on the presidency, public opinion, and the Iraq war. In Media effects (pp. 389–436). Routledge.

Weber, M. (1905). The Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Allen & Unwin.

Weber, M. (1919). Politics as a vocation. Stuttgart: Enke.