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A Lesson Plan from Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program
Leader's Resource for the Family Messages Lesson Plan
Exploring Individual Values
This exercise will allow
youth to discuss various values with their families and friends and
explore their own values. Youth may discover that they hold values
that differ from those of family, friends, and peers. As young people
discuss the points at the end of the exercise they will also begin
to understand that many values are quite individual. Differing, even
opposing values, are not wrong, merely different. Youth may
also find that some of their values—such as caring about
others—are
widely shared although expressed differently.
Tips for
Facilitating Values Exercises
- All adolescents,
regardless of their age, may feel personal and family
values strongly, and discussing these values can arouse
strong emotions. Be sure that everyone observes the ground
rules at all times.
- Emphasize
that individual values differ and that there are no right or wrong answers.
Allow open discussion as long as it does not get out
of hand. Allow participants to express, explain, and
defend their values. Encourage them to use "I" statements
and do not allow anyone to "put down" others'
values.
- If an
argument over a value-related issue erupts, call time
out and ask each side to articulate its point of view.
Reiterate that people's values differ and this is normal
and positive, then move on to another topic. If confusion
and dissatisfaction remain, you may want to schedule
a formal debate or informal discussion of the issue at
another time.
- Remember,
while you are monitoring your participants to ensure
that they are nonjudgmental, you must be nonjudgmental
as well. Be aware of your own personal values, especially
when youth are discussing controversial topics, such
as contraception, abortion, or police powers. Monitor
your comments and your body language to be sure they
do not convey your own values. You want to avoid supporting
any one position.
- Support all the
young people so that they will not feel pressured by
the values and opinions of their peers. Make it clear
that it is good to change one's mind when one has new
information or finds a new way of looking at an issue.
- Occasionally,
one or two youth will express a particular value in opposition
to the remainder of the group. In such a case, it is
your responsibility to support this minority viewpoint.
Use a verbal comment, touch or physical proximity to
show your support, and state clearly that you support
the behavior of standing up for one's values rather
than the position.
- If there
is no commonly held position in a discussion about a
topic, bring up the value that you believe to be a widely
held one. For example, if no two teens can even agree
on the age at which it is okay to initiate sexual intercourse,
you might say, "Many people believe that abstinence
from sexual intercourse is the best option for teens." If
you do this, be prepared to speak convincingly and briefly
about that value. Then allow the youth to continue the
discussion.
- You may
be asked about your own values as various topics arise.
It is appropriate to share a few of your personal
values and to discuss the values that you learned from
your family or that helped you make positive decisions
about career, family, etc. But, be sure that you do not
share your personal values on all the topics. Be especially
wary of shutting down discussion among the youth.
- Avoid
sharing your values on the controversial topics. Remember
that this exercise is designed to stimulate young peoples
exploration of their own values. You are an important
figure in this setting and may influence what they say
they believe and how willingly they listen to others.
If asked about a topic like abortion, say something like "I'm
more interested in what you believe right now" or "Knowing
my position may not help you figure out your own." If
you share personal values, state clearly that the values
are right for you, but not necessarily right for anyone
else.
Adapted from Life
Planning Education, a comprehensive sex education curriculum. Washington,
DC: Advocates for Youth, in press.
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