A632.5.4.RB - How Protected are Your Protected Values?

In the Hoch text, based on Irwin and Baron's discussions on protected Values (pgs.251 ff.), reflect on three of your major protected values, support those values with at least three major beliefs and show the pros and cons of each belief in terms of trade-offs you are willing to make to support or not support that belief. How do these Protected Values potentially affect your own decision making? Do you feel as strongly about them as you did when you began this exercise?

When I initially thought about my own personal values, specifically on the three values that I felt were protected they were my strong beliefs in hard work, family and service.  “Protected values (PVs) are considered absolute and inviolable” (Hoch, Kunreuther & Gunther, 2001, p. 251).   I believe these values are influenced by my upbringing, my husband, kids and my service in the military.   


Hard work is a value instilled at a young age for me.  My dad was a carpenter and roofer.  I remember him working 12- and 14-hour days and coming home tired, hungry and dirty.  He never turned down a job and would let my siblings and join him on jobs sometimes.  I strived to have his work ethic.  At my first duty station as a B-52 crew chief, I was ridiculed and told that a female couldn’t do the job.  I dug my heels in and refused to quit or do less than the males.  The work ethic learned at home came out and I showed the naysayers that I could the job.  I believe in working hard no matter what the job.  That value has been a building block in my career and influenced the success I’ve had.  I also try to instill the same value to my kids by assigning chores and telling them "it's not about getting the job done fast, it's about getting the job done right".    


Family has always been important to me but getting married and having kids has intensified the significance.  I believe family should come first.  One of the Air Force Core Values is Service Before Self, but I explain to my Airmen that does not mean before family.  While I value my family and feel that family should come first, after reflection I realize that maybe it has not been as protected as I initially would hope or want.  For example, at work I often go in early and stay late jeopardizing time with my family.  If family really does come first, I wouldn’t spend so much extra time at work and would prioritize time with my kids.  I realize that my values of hard work and family first can be competing values.  I must find a good balance to ensure I do not sacrifice either.  

 Before joining the military, I never really thought about “serving my country”.  I enjoyed volunteering and helping others, but my sense of service grew when I entered the Air Force.  I enjoy serving others and often tell people how much I enjoy it.  This PV affects my parenting in that I regularly have my kids donate clothes, toys and money to help others.  I also explain the importance of volunteering and serving others.  However, once again after reflecting on this PV, I realize maybe its not as protected as it seems.  Since having kids, I haven’t really volunteered or served others as often as I want.  Although I still fully believe in this value and have a strong urge towards it, I haven’t tried to fulfil it lately.  Understandably, working a full-time job, going to school and raising 3 kids is challenging but I tell my kids all the time that we should volunteer and help others, yet I haven’t followed through lately. 

References:
Hoch, S. J., Kunreuther, H., & Gunther, R. E. (2001). Wharton on making decisions (1st ed.). New York: Wiley.