What is a Value?  Qualities, or ideas about which we feel strongly.  Our values affect our decisions, goals and behavior.  A belief or feeling that someone or something is worthwhile.  Values define what is of worth, what is beneficial, and what is harmful  Values are standards to guide your action, judgments, and attitudes.

Direction in Life Values help us make important decisions!  Values give direction and consistency to behavior.  Values help you know what to and not to make time for.  Values establish a relationship between you and the world.  Values set the direction for one’s life.

Where do we get values? oooour homes,  s s s school,  s s s society,  f f f friends,  T T T TV,  c c c church, mmmmusic, bbbbooks,  f f f families, cccculture,  e e e employers, ttttime-period in which you were raised (70’s anti- establishment, peace, individuality. 80’s money, prestige, don’t get caught, etc. 90’s earth, green peace, health and fitness), etc.

Your age will greatly influence your values. Different people and things influence you at different ages:  Ages parents  Ages teachers, heroes (sports, rock stars, TV)  Ages peers (values because of peers or peers because of values?)  Ages 21+ your values are established, but you may test your values from time to time.

Values and Behaviors:  Happiness comes from letting values decide your behavior and goals.  Values can change over a life-time as your experiences change your view.

What are some Common Values shared in Society?  Trust  Honesty  Respect  Empathy  Courage  Kindness  Social Justice  Integrity  Freedom  Loyalty  So many more, the list goes on…………

“It’s not doing things right, but doing the right things. “

Values Help Us Make Important Decisions They help us decide-  Right vs. Wrong  Good vs. Bad  Moral vs. Immoral  Important vs. Unimportant

THE DECISION MAKING MODEL  G ive thought to the problem  R eview your choices  E valuate the consequences of each choice  A ssess and choose the best choice (consider your values)  T hink it over afterward

How to Make Great Decisions Think About the Problem BRAINSTORM: List Choices (list at least 3 options) List the Pros – (benefits) (list at least 3 benefits for each) List the Cons – (consequences) (list at least 3 consequences for each) Don’t forget to think about your Values!! ASSESS Your Options Make a Wise Decision Think it over Afterwards

Trouble Rules A set of questions you ask yourself when making a difficult decision to avoid getting into trouble!.  Is it against the law?  Will someone in authority get mad?  Could it cause harm?  Is it against my values? If your answer is yes to any of the trouble rules you should say “NO”.

Scenario You are at a party and your friend who drove you continues to drink throughout the night. It is now 1:30 a.m. and you are tired and want to go home. Most of your friends have already left the party. Your friend who has been drinking all night offers you a ride home. You are unsure about his sobriety at this point. He seems really drunk. You can smell the alcohol on his breath and he is slurring his words. You don’t have a driver’s license. The party is getting wilder and it doesn’t seem like you will be able to safely “crash” there. What do you decide to do?

Role Plays  A friend offers a ride to you & and other friend who are walking to the beach. The car (not a van) already has 6 passengers. Without a ride you will have a two mile walk to the beach.  Your best friend is mad at someone from school and wants to sneak out late one night to egg the person’s house. Your best friend wants you to come too.

More role plays -  You have math class first period. Your friend has it 4 th period. He did not study for the test today. He asks you text message the answers to him.  Your friend says she does not have enough money to buy a new pair of jeans. She wants you to help her shop lift the pants.