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Prompt
PROMPT: Including at least 3-4 cited references to the reading, define the terms "values" and "norms" in your own words. Then, analyze how the perceptions of norms, as well as the influence or personal values and beliefs, can influence healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Lastly, explain a personal situation in which you or someone you know personally was able to utilize accurate peer and societal norms to formulate a health-enhancing message. -
My Definition of Norms
To me, norms is what is popular or normal at a given time. For example, back when my dad was a kid, short shorts for guys was popular and a norm. Norms are constantly changing though, as now, short shorts for guys is not necessarily normal to see. -
My Definition of Values
To me, values are the ideas and aspects that you personally believe in and are brought up in. Yes, your values can change, but they are the ideas upon which yo determine whether something is okay or not. Values are often found through religious practices, or passed on by your parents. -
Values, Norms, and Bad Health Behaviors
In the book, it discusses how our set values are subject to change as we continue to grow. One of the examples the book gave was of how the experiences and things that we are taught in school often end up shaping how we think of in different topics. Even video games can change our values, or even movies. The book also discussed the Norms of society. Now a days, one big norm is that women have to look a certain way. This norm has made women do bad health decisions to try to fit in with it. -
Values, Norms, and Good Health Behaviors
Some of the values we have are indeed good ones that sallow us to be able to make good choices. As the book said, the values we have can change. Sometimes these changes are good as they allow us to see what is right and wrong. Also, some of the Norms nowadays are ones that increase healthy behaviors. For instance, the big push for healthy eating is quite normal now a days. This is causing for individuals to eat healthier, giving them a healthier life. -
Real Life Example
Somebody that I know was tempted to take some alcoholic substances while at a friend gathering. At the time, this was the normal thing and the cool thing for high school students to be doing. But, since his parents installed good virtues in him, his virtues allowed him to make the healthy decision to not partake as he realized it was not okay to do. This is a great example of how sometimes virtues and norms collide, and how one allows you to make the correct choice. Not all norms are right.