PERSONAL VALUES, BELIEFS

AND ATTITUDES
How they affect our work with children
and their families

February 28th, 2015

Lorena Larios-Magaa, MA

Your beliefs become your thoughts,

Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.

- Mahatma Gandhi

What are Values?

Principles, standards, or qualities usually enduring
We freely choose our values
Mostly things that we hold in high regard (we are proud of them)
Values guide the way we live our lives
Values guide decisions we make.

- ex. Education, hard work, family, friendships,

responsibility, independence, owning a home,
respect, exercise, voting, etc.

.Values are formed by a particular BELIEF!

Example: Some people may see a great value in education since their employment
relies on the type of education they have, while others may not see the value in
education because they were able to start a successful business without it.

What is a Belief?
Something you believe to be the absolute truth.
Often shaped by our life experiences.
Our beliefs are an important part of our identity.

-religious, cultural (holidays, art, clothing,

music, food), race, morals, gender, political,
educational, profession, etc.
Beliefs are precious because they reflect who we are and
how we live our lives.
Example: I believe people should vote because voting gives you a
voice.

What are Attitudes?

Attitudes are shaped by our values and beliefs.

Attitudes turn into feelings and behaviors can be directed

towards specific people, ideas, or objects.

Usually what we think is the proper way of doing
something.
Can be positive or negative and can change in time
Attitudes are sometimes considered opinions or
stereotypes.
Example: I strongly feel tackle football should be played only by
males, therefore, I will not give my daughter permission to play the
game.

Our personal values, beliefs, and

attitudes create JUDGEMENTS that
may have an impact on the support
we give children and their families.

We cannot change our past. We can not

change the fact that people act in a certain
way. We can not change the inevitable. The
only thing we can do is play on the one
string we have, and that is our attitude.
Charles R. Swindoll

Things to consider about your personal values, beliefs, and

attitudes towards children and their families that can create
judgments!
Your idea of a family (biracial, age differences, divorced, single-parents, homosexual

couples/marriage, differences in religion, addictions, children raised by grandparents etc.)

Your idea about health (nutrition, exercise, hygiene, medication, treatments, mental health,

foods (meats, pork, animal treatment, vegetarian, sweets etc.)

Your idea about parenting and what it should look like (strict, lenient, structured,

consequences, limits, routines)

Your idea of money (saving, debt, earned through hard work, how it is spent and on what, etc.)
Your idea about work ethic
Your idea about sexuality
Your idea about coping with changes and tragedies
Your idea on physical appearance (weight, looks, height, color of skin, eyes, and hair etc)

Professional Values
1. Examine your judgments and perceptions.
2. Ask questions that may help you evaluate the situation better.
3. Validate and respect personal values and beliefs of the families
4.
5.
6.
7.

8.
9.

you work with.

Brainstorm solutions based on common goals
Develop clear expectations or review contract
Do not assume
Be careful not to impose solutions based on your own values and
beliefs instead provide options and resources based on what is
right for that particular child or family
Treat children and families fairly and treat them as a human being
of worth
If you are able to accept your families, with whatever values they
have, you may find that in time they will move closer to you in
their beliefs because you are models for them.