Werte-Wandel – Wert-Klärung – Familien-Werte

Abstract

The causes of considerably increasing call for “values” lie in accumulation of changes and in impenetrable number of offers in all aspects of life. The problem is that most often these are merely the calls for values or that values are “containers” enclosing everything possible. Thoughtful interpretation of values may help go out o f the widespread indifference. Consciously evaluative dosage of resources, such as deference, time, power and money may contribute to the quality of our lives. Values as conscious or unconscious indicative standards and leading ideas of individuals and groups are characterized by current beliefs and by epoch-making paradigms in the background. Progressive program of modernity with methods of research, quantification and disposal has been authoritative so far. The program was very effective, and the possibilities of life of the contemporary society were significantly expanded. Together with the achievement of its goals, the epoch-making paradigm loses its meaning and mobilizing force. At the same time, it is seen what issues have still been open. So now we find that with the modem paradigm and it is necessary to show values leading into the future. The culture of life worthy of man needs effectiveness not only measurable in numbers, but also beauty that cannot be defined, and good free interpersonal relations. In many places, especially since the global financial and economic crisis, there have been shown dead ends of egocentric domination and seizure. It should be reminded how fundamental for us in our life is the size of the interpersonal and transcendental relationship. Sooner or later, the elementary questions, which aremarginalized, appear: is there any sense and hope in my life, in our world, any sense and hope behind the whirl of life coming to the fore, beyond the threshold of death? Changes of values and the interpretation of values in our unusual breakthrough time apply to families. A lot of issues are in the state of breakthrough in family life: here the forms become multiplex, a lot of issues are getting relativised recklessly. Actually, the meaning and value of family is growing, not lowering, in the breakthrough time. It is not to be missed that families in earlier times were more stable than today. Remembering more stable families from former times makes the wish for them to come back understandable; however, it is not realistic. Deep changes of the course of life, the roles of gender and patterns of relationship mean breaking with the traditional culture of family. Thus, there emerge critical transition stages which cannot be stopped, but at best can be guided. Further development o f family culture is not only for families, but for the society as such, of the greatest importance. Very important facts that are marginalized in today’s “lifestyle” may be still met in families: valuable life is based not only on money, success, entertainment and well-being, but what is indispensable is to stay together, and also recognition, acceptance, benevolent correction and willingness to give.