National Value: Meaning, Importance,Factors, Sources And Manifestation Of Values

Table Of Contents

• Meaning Of Values
• Importance Of Values
• Sources Of Our Values
• Manifestation Of Values
• Societal Values
• Factors That Promote Good Value System.

Meaning Of National Values In Civic Education

What Are Values?

The word value has several meanings. It is the expression of the actual worth or quality of something in monetary terms; It involves one’s assessment or judgment of one’s worth.

Value can be said to be principles and ideas we hold and cherish as important and worthwhile and have positive effects. Values are important in our lives because they influence and determine what we believe, hold to, and stand for.

The Importance Of Values

In civic education, Value is very important to society too. Here are the general importance of values:

1. Values guide our conduct, judgment, choices, and relationships with others.
2. Values give direction and purpose to our personal lives and society.
3. Values influence our attitudes, actions, reactions, and feelings toward others.
4. Values ensure and enhance a good behavioral relationship.
5. Understanding and believing our values give a sense of happiness and contentment.
6. Understanding and recognizing our societal values help us resist the pressure to conform to other values that are not acceptable.
7. Values guide decision-making.
8. It enhances and improves self-esteem and feelings in society.

Sources Of Our Values

We derive our values from many sources. These include:

1. Our family side
2. School
3. Community
4. Churches/Mosques
5. Wealth experience
6. Cultural heritage
7. Peer/Age group
8. Place of work or economic life
9. Political meetings and gatherings.
10. Press, radio, television, Newspapers, and other publications.

Manifestations Of Values

There are various levels of manifestation of values in the individual, community, and society. The manifestations of values are seen in our lives, actions, conduct, or character.

Our values affect and determine what we do concerning decision-making, relationships with the opposite sex, and others. We will surely relate with decent people if we live a decent life. If our moral values are high, we will be careful about how we relate to the opposite sex.

Our values make us become who we want to be, do and equally live the kind of life we want. It makes us more useful and responsible in society. Our values affect our career choice and the educational institution we will attend after secondary school.

Understanding one’s values will help one respect and appreciate the rights and views of other people in society.

Our values will still help us contribute effectively to anything that will promote positive values like honesty, respect, discipline, diligence, harmony, tolerance, and obedience to rules and regulations.

Societal Values

What are societal values?

Societal values are the norms, beliefs, and principles society has tested, approved, and expects from its members. A society has laws, rules, and regulations that control the conduct of its members.

Every member of society, particularly the youths, who are regarded as the life wire or pillar of society, should organize themselves, work hard, and effectively contribute to realizing these cherished values of society.

Some Of The Cherished Positive Values Of Our Society Are:

1. Honesty and transparency
2. Justice and equity
3. Hard work and diligence
4. Peace and unity in diversity
5. Good educational system
6. Good health car-delivery
7. Progress and development
8. Good and responsible citizens
9. Modesty in behavior
10. Discipline and self-control.

Negative Values In The Society

These are some Negative values in society, but the government, through various agencies, is fighting vices. This is because they are damaging the good name and image of the country. Some of them include the following;

1. Bribery and corruption
2. Tribalism
3. Armed robbery
4. Kidnapping
5. Human trafficking
6. Drug addiction
7. Exam malpractice
8. Electoral malpractice
9. Electoral Fraud
10. Ritual killings
11. Prostitution
12. Indecent dressing
13. Cultism etc.

Our young people need to be reorientated and redirected to the right life path. All well-meaning patriots of this great country must join hands in fighting these vices in the country. Bodies and agencies include EFCC, ICPC, NAFDAC, NOA, NDLEA, etc.

Factors That Promote Good Value System

What are the factors that promote good Value in civic education? Here they are:

1. Consistency: Consistency means always being the same in thought, words, and behavior, keeping to the same principles, and being regular and unchanging. This is the kind of character expected of a good and responsible citizen who understands his values and those of society.
2. Tolerance: This is the quality that makes us allow people to express their views or do things in their way, though, though we may not agree with them. A tolerant person will continue to work with others even when he does not like their way or style of life.
3. Fairness is the quality of being just and honest in dealing with others. There is no room for partiality and favoritism. An individual possessing the virtue of fairness is regarded as one with good values.
4. Integrity is the virtue of being honest and firm in one’s moral principles. Integrity is necessary for the well-being and progress of society, and it promotes good values.
5. Trust: It is a belief or willingness to believe that one can rely on the goodness, strength, and ability of somebody to do something committed into his/her hand to do. This quality is needed by our leaders and those at the head. This factor promotes good values in society.

5 importance of values in civic education

1. Values help to guide our conduct, judgment, choices, and our relationship with other people.
2. Values also help to give direction and purpose to our personal lives and society as a whole.
3. Values influence our attitudes, actions, reactions, and feelings toward others.
4. Values also ensure and enhance an excellent behavioral relationship.
5. Understanding and believing in our values give a sense of happiness and contentment.

List and explain three factors that promote a good value system.

1. Consistency: Consistency means always being the same in thought, words, and behavior, keeping to the same principles, and being regular and unchanging. This is the kind of character expected of a good and responsible citizen who understands his values and society.
2. Tolerance: This is the quality that makes us allow people to express their views or do things in their way, though, though we may disagree with them. A tolerant person will continue to work with others even when he does not like their way or style of life.
3. Fairness is the quality of being just and honest in dealing with others. There is no room for partiality and favoritism. An individual possessing the virtue of fairness is regarded as one with good values.
4. Integrity is the virtue of being honest and firm in one’s moral principles. Integrity is necessary for the well-being and progress of society, and it promotes good values.
5. Trust is a belief or willingness to believe that one can rely on the goodness, strength, and ability of somebody to do something committed to their hand to do. This quality is needed by our leaders and those at the head. This factor promotes good values in society.

What is the meaning of national value?

National values are said to represent the paramount values upheld throughout the shared cultural experience of the nation.

What are examples of national Value?

1. Independence.
2. Justice.
3. Security.
4. Peace.
5. Democracy.