Family values

Several online dictionaries define "family values" as the following:

• "the moral and ethical principles traditionally upheld and passed on within a family, as fidelity, honesty, truth, and faith."[3]
• "values especially of a traditional or conservative kind which are held to promote the sound functioning of the family and to strengthen the fabric of society."[4]
• "values held to be traditionally taught or reinforced within a family, such as those of high moral standards and discipline."[5]

Familialism or familism is the ideology that puts priority on family and family values.[6] Familialism advocates for a welfare system where families, rather than the government, take responsibility for the care of their members.[6]

In the United States, the banner of "family values" has been used by social conservatives to express opposition to abortion, birth control, environmentalism, feminism, pornography, comprehensive sex education, divorce, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, civil unions, secularism, and atheism.[7] American conservative groups have made inroads promoting these policies in Africa since the early 2000s, describing them as African family values.[8]

Interpretations of Islamic learnings and Arab culture are common for the majority of Saudis. Islam is a driving cultural force that dictates a submission to the will of Allah.[9] The academic literature suggests that the family is regarded as the main foundation of Muslim society and culture; the family structure and nature of the relationship between family members are influenced by the Islamic religion.[10] Marriage in Saudi culture means the union of two families, not just two individuals.[11] In Muslim society, marriage involves a social contract that occurs with the consent of parents or guardians. Furthermore, marriage is considered the only legitimate outlet for sexual desires, and sex outside marriage (zina) is a crime that is punished under Islamic law.[12]

The Saudi family includes extended families, as the extended family provides the individual with a sense of identity. The father is often the breadwinner and protector of the family, whereas the mother is often the homemaker and the primary caretaker of the children.[13] Parents are regarded with high respect, and children are strongly encouraged to respect and obey their parents.[14] Often, families provide care for elders. Until recently, because families and friends are expected to provide elderly care, nursing homes were considered culturally unacceptable.[15]

• American Family Association
• Family Research Council
• Family Research Institute
• Focus on the Family
• Glittering generality
• Traditional Values Coalition
• World Congress of Families
• Japanese values

• Bennett, William J. (ed.) (1997). The Book of Virtues for Young People: A Treasury of Great Moral Stories (illustrated, reprint). Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-689-81613-0
• Bork, Robert H. (2010). Slouching towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline (revised edition). HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-203091-7
• Coontz, Stephanie (1992). The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap (illustrated, reprinted ed.). Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-465-09097-6
• Coontz, Stephanie (2008). The Way We Really Are: Coming to Terms with America's Changing Families. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-7867-2556-4
• Coontz, Stephanie (ed.) (2013). American Families: A Multicultural Reader (2nd edition, revised). Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-77691-6
• Coontz, Stephanie (2006). Marriage, A History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage. Penguin. ISBN 978-1-101-11825-2
• Gairdner, William Douglas (2007). The War Against the Family: A Parent Speaks Out on the Political, Economic, and Social Policies That Threaten Us All. BPS Books. ISBN 978-0-9784402-1-3
• Good, Deirdre (2006). Jesus' Family Values. Church Publishing Inc. ISBN 978-1-59627-163-0
• Shapiro, Ben (2005). Porn Generation: How Social Liberalism is Corrupting Our Future. Regnery. ISBN 978-1-59698-686-2
• Stacey, Judith (1996). In the Name of the Family: Rethinking Family Values in the Postmodern Age (reprint). Beacon Press. ISBN 978-0-8070-0433-3