Meta Description: Learn three ways personal values influence responsible and informed decision-making, with practical examples relevant to adolescents in South Africa.
Written by: OtherSyde Group
Editorial focus: Life Orientation, personal values and responsible decision-making in South Africa
Experience/Expertise note: This explanation is aligned with the South African Life Orientation curriculum, which focuses on values, responsible choices, problem-solving and informed decision-making.
Introduction
Personal values are the beliefs and principles that influence how a person behaves and makes choices. Values such as honesty, respect, responsibility, self-discipline and fairness can have a strong influence on the decisions adolescents make at school, at home and in their communities.
In South Africa, Life Orientation helps learners develop decision-making skills and make informed and responsible choices about different aspects of their lives.
There are three important ways personal values can influence the way a person takes responsibility for making appropriate and informed decisions.
1. Personal Values Help Guide Good Choices
Personal values provide a guide when a person has to decide between different choices.
For example, a learner who values honesty is more likely to refuse to cheat in a test, even when friends encourage them to do so. A learner who values respect may think carefully about how their actions could affect teachers, parents, friends and other learners.
Values therefore help a person distinguish between choices that are appropriate and those that may have negative consequences.
2. Personal Values Help a Person Consider the Consequences
Responsible decision-making requires a person to think about what could happen after making a particular choice.
For example, if a teenager values responsibility, they may consider the consequences before deciding to drink alcohol, skip school or participate in risky behaviour.
Instead of making an impulsive decision, they may ask:
- Is this choice safe?
- How could it affect my future?
- Could it affect other people?
- Is this decision consistent with my values?
- What could happen if I make the wrong choice?
This encourages a person to gather information and think before acting.
The South African Life Orientation curriculum specifically aims to develop learners’ ability to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions in real-life situations.
3. Personal Values Encourage Accountability
A person who values responsibility is more likely to accept the consequences of their decisions.
For example, if a learner makes a poor decision that results in a conflict with another learner, taking responsibility means acknowledging the mistake rather than blaming someone else.
Being accountable can involve:
- Admitting when you are wrong.
- Apologising when appropriate.
- Learning from mistakes.
- Correcting harmful behaviour.
- Thinking more carefully about future decisions.
This helps a person become more mature and responsible.
Example in a South African School
Illustrative example:
A Grade 9 learner in a South African school is invited by friends to leave school without permission.
The learner values responsibility, education and respect for school rules. Instead of simply following the group, the learner considers the possible consequences, including missing lessons and facing disciplinary action.
The learner decides to remain at school.
In this example, personal values helped the learner:
- Recognise the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.
- Consider the possible consequences.
- Take responsibility for making an informed decision.
Conclusion
Personal values influence decision-making by guiding choices, helping people consider consequences and encouraging accountability.
Values such as honesty, respect and responsibility can help adolescents make better decisions even when they experience pressure from friends or their surroundings.
For learners in South Africa, developing these values is an important part of Life Orientation because the subject aims to help young people make informed, responsible and appropriate choices in their personal, social and future lives.