Family values, sometimes referred to as familial values, are traditional or cultural values that pertain to the family's structure, function, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals.
In the social sciences and U.S. political discourse, the conventional term "traditional family" describes the nuclear family—a child-rearing environment composed of a breadwinning father, a homemaking mother, and their nominally biological children. A family deviating from this model is considered a nontraditional family. However, in most cultures at most times, the extended family model has been most common, not the nuclear family, and the "nuclear family" became the most common form in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s.
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."
"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."
"values held to be traditionally taught or reinforced within a family, such as those of high moral standards and discipline."
Familialism
Familialism or familism is the ideology that puts priority on family and family values. Familialism advocates for a welfare system where families, rather than the government, take responsibility for the care of their members.
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. American conservative groups have made inroads promoting these policies in Africa since the early 2000s, describing them as African family values.
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.