Planning for Value Adoption in a society

Value literally means something that has a price, something precious, dear and worthwhile. It is defined as a belief upon which man acts by preference. By a close examination of different sources of the meaning of values, we may say: Values are general standards and higher order norms. Value is a belief that something is good and worthwhile. Value is a measure of goodness or desirability. Values are socially defined and accepted desires and goods that are internalized through the process of learning, socialization and conditioning. Every country develops its own system of education to express and promote its unique Socio-Cultural Identity and also to meet the challenges of the times. Although the country has made rapid progress in various areas like scientific, technology economic infrastructure etc. but its value system has been declined. Therefore, education in general and value education in particular occupies a prestigious place in modern context of contemporary society. The problem of value education of the young has assumed increasing prominence in educational discussion during recent times. Parents, teachers and society at large are concerned about values and value education of children. We are witnessing tremendous value crisis throughout the world today. The appearance of barbaric qualities of selfishness, clashes and conflagration give clear indication of the process of degradation of human society. There is an urgent need for a great effort to revive and reform the value of human life and to rejuvenate the foundation of civilization. Values are goals set for achievement and they motivate, define and color all over activities, cognitive and affective. They are described as the socially defined desires and goals they are internalized through the process of conditioning, learning and socialization. The present education needs moral, spiritual and aesthetic values also to be included in it. The culture and traditions can be preserved and transferred to the next generation by the help of value education only. The most constructive factor in value education is its purpose which encourages the society to explore the powers while offering living guidance and setting appropriate limits to behavior. Value education helps in building and strengthening of positive sentiments for people and ideals. It should prepare individuals for active participation in social life and acceptance of social rules. Attention should be paid by higher authorities to spread the importance of value education in society. The present paper will focus on ‗Role of Value Education in Contemporary Society‘. Education is a methodical effort towards learning basic facts about humanity. And the core idea behind value education is to cultivate essential values among the people so that the civilization that teaches us to manage complexities can be sustained and further developed. Value education is important to help everyone in improving the value system that he/she holds and put them to use. Once we understand our values in life, we can examine and control the various choices we make in our lives. Thus, value education is always essential to shape a student‘s life and to give him an opportunity of performing himself on the global stage. The need for values value education among the parents, children, teachers etc. is constantly increasing as we continue to witness increasing violent activities, behavioral disorder and lack of unity in society. The family system in India has a long tradition of imparting value education right from the ancient practice of the Gurukul system. But with modern developments and fast changing roles of the people, it has not been very easy to impart relevant values. Therefore, many institutes today conduct various value education programs that meet the rising needs of modern society with respect to code conduct and values. These activities concentrate on the development of the children, young adults etc. focusing on areas like happiness, humility, co-operation, honesty, simplicity, love, unity, peace, etc. The moral values present a true perspective of the development of any society or nation. Man is a social animal in that whatever he needs and wants he gets from the labour and co-operation of the society. Similarly, whatever he produces materially and whatever the knowledge he acquires are spreading to all people of the world. To cope with the holistic education to sympathize and live in tolerance with the standards of his fellow beings. Due to lack of such education the majority of people in human society are leading a life of ignorance and following obsolete, useless principles and beliefs. In reality, the world is one, the sea is one to supply water for all by way of vapour cloud rain; the air we breathe in is only one. Man has not created any one of these essential resources. Everybody is born, grown, lives and dies. During the lifetime everybody enjoys the benefits of labour and technical knowledge of all the people of the society. Then why are enmity, hatred, exploitation and wars extent in human society? Individuals who are living engrossed in sensory engagement cannot understand the detrimental results of their own actions. It is the responsibility of elders and enlightened people, the best way of life and then disseminates the knowledge through all available media. Such a planned method of living should be inculcated as a value education in all institutions to truly civilize people, whatever may be their other fields of study. As a result of this education, one would know to respect others, how to aware and avoid doing harm and at the same time, being ready to help others in all possible ways. Each person can know how to adjust with others and be prepared to sacrifice his whims and pleasures for the benefit of the people or family or society so as to avoid conflict and live in harmony.