THE ROLE OF VALUES EDUCATION IN NURTURING PRO-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

What we do with children today will profoundly determine what shall exist in future generations. How we educate our children will determine how life will be lived in the years to come, for education most significantly moulds beliefs, attitudes, values and culture. Today, more than bonding with parents, family and friends, gadgets and social media distract children, and they distance themselves from everyone. Deviant behaviours have become a norm among children and adolescents. We must understand that such behaviours are socially constructed and not naturally occurring. To support every child with the right kind of culture and values is in our hands and a collective responsibility of everyone in society. This will also help the young ones feel accepted and secure in their societies where they have all the support. Values education is known by many names in various countries, such as citizenship education, moral education or character education. With working parents, teachers tend to play the multi-faceted role of teachers, mentors, and even parents. A key determinant in the success of values education, or by whatever name it is called, is how faithfully it is carried out. Various studies have been conducted, and continue to be undertaken, worldwide to understand the positive influence on behaviour when values education is integrated into the school system, which aids in the decrease of deviant social behaviour.