The VIA Classification of Character Strengths identifies 24 character strengths (61-62).
Which of these character strengths is valued most highly in the community you grew up in (family, extended family, school, hometown, etc.)?
Which is valued mostly highly in our society more generally?
Conversely, which of these is often under-appreciated in the community you grew up in and in our society more generally?
Identify well-known people or people yo uknow who exemplify these character strengths. You may also identify TV characters or movie characters who represent these strenghts well.
Growing up, I would say that honesty was most valued in my community. When I was younger, the people I saw the most was my family. In my experience, growing up with siblings means a lot of lying was thrown around to either get someone in trouble or prevent a person from getting in trouble. Because of this, both of my parents very much valued honesty. I feel as though teamwork is valued more in society generally because it allows for projects and events to get done quicker. Creativity is under-appreciated in both the community I grew up in and in society generally. The first person that comes to mind that exemplified honesty was Gandhi. As far as creativity and teamwork go, I would say any musical band such as Queen.
ReplyDeleteEmily Crowley
In my community as a whole I think Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence and faith (spirituality) are the character strengths exemplified and valued. I think these characteristics are important in my community because we are a small town and a small town is what you make it to be. We are a town full of artists and creative people and this colors how our town approaches events and the rest of the world. Just this past Friday, my town had an Art Walk, where people from all over our little town got to display their creations. A large population of people in my community also embrace the importance of faith in God and this impacts the town as well. I think social intelligence and bravery are generally undervalued in society and I think these are important characteristics that should me more valued and practiced.
ReplyDeleteI come from a highly religious baptist family so I would say that I grew up in a house that valued spirituality. I also think that being from a small town and being raised in the church and most of my classmates and teachers being openly baptist I was trained to be a highly spiritual person. In my community I think fairness was under valued. I grew up and had very ugly opinions about certain groups of people because that is what everyone around be did. I had to teach myself through research that those ideas were not okay. I love my mom but she is a perfect example of someone who has a strong spirituality character strength. She goes to church three times a week, is the secretary, teaches children's church, runs bible school, and so much more. She loves being that person and I think she is really good at it. I do however think have such a small group of characteristics around me gave me a lot of hurdles to jump to form my own thoughts and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI think growing up spirituality was most valued in my community. I grew up in a church home and many people in my community attend church. I think it was kind of the baseline for how everyone lived their lives. I think in our society I think perspective or wisdom is more highly valued. People will always turn to those who know more for instruction or help. I think curiosity is extremely undervalued in our society. There is always more stuff to learn. Know one knows everything and there can be a better way to do stuff always.
ReplyDelete^^Seth Spady
DeleteGrowing up in a small, country, Texas town, the most common and reoccurring building were churches. Faith and spirituality were the root of everything and everyone. Generally speaking, bravery is essential in todays society. There are so many good qualities to have, but bravery will allow you to speak up for yourself and express who you are with no shame. With enough grit and bravery it is easier to become your own person unapologetically. Humility is the most underrated. People hate being humbled and refuse to think of themselves as anything other than perfect. Especially in a biblical town. In my experience, everyone seemed to think they were better than anyone else no matter what they tried to make it seem like.
ReplyDeleteMallory Forgione
DeleteIn the community I grew up in, I would say that humor was the most valued character strength. Being surrounded by more shy individuals, it was difficult to find those with enough gusto to make jokes in a larger group of people. Funny people were invited to every event because they acted as a sure bet for a good because their humor was appreciated by everyone. As for society, I would say that appreciation if beauty and excellence is most valued. You never hear of those who completed 2nd place; you are Usain Bolt or almost completely unheard of by the general public. The most beautiful people grace the covers of magazines and dominate cinema. It is uncommon to find an average looking actor/actress in any blockbuster film that does not enact a comedic relief or “nerd” character. I would say that in my community, as well as society in general, prudence is the most undervalued strength. For lack of better terms, it is seen as boring, at least in my community. Less drama to discuss because of the thoughtful actions that prevented it. Everyone loved a controversial fight story, so when there wasn’t one, people were less interested. I would say that my father is a great example of humor. As before mentioned, Usain bolt is who I would immediately say appreciation of excellence best fits. As for prudence, I think that my pastor’s wife exemplifies it well. She always takes a deep breath before responding to anything that upsets her.
ReplyDeleteMy strengths were humility, humor, honesty, love, and love of learning. In my household, and my community in general, humor wasn't very appreciated, especially my strange kind of humor. Love wasn't expressed often as well. It was humility, honesty, and my love of learning that people around me respected.
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