Female Genital Mutilation - World Health Organization

Value clarification
Value clarification is a process that helps one
identify the values that guide one’s actions by
examining how one feels about a range of different
behaviours, thoughts, and objects.
Value clarification is an important exercise since
individuals are largely unaware of the motives
underlying their behaviour and choices.
Each person develops a unique set of values and attitudes
that guides them through life and gives them their
cultural identity. By understanding our own values and how
they were formed, we as health care providers can appreciate
and respect the experiences that shape the values and
belief systems of the communities with which we work.
The process of valuing
Before being able to clarify one’s values, one must
understand how the process of valuing occurs in individuals.
Behaviour scientists suggest the following steps:
1. One chooses the value freely and individually.
2. One chooses the value from among a range of
alternatives.
3. One carefully considers the consequences of the
choice.
4. One cherishes or prizes the value chosen.
5. One incorporates the value into behaviour so that
it becomes a standard.
Exercise
This exercise is performed by pairs of students
● Students will be asked to pair up, and the partners
to sit facing each other but not speaking.
● Each student will be asked to do the following in turn:
– List three activities they think their partner would
be most interested in doing after the session.
– Rank these activities in order of importance to
the partner.
– List three activities they themselves would be
most interested in doing after the session.
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
STUDENT MANUAL
● Each student will be asked to read out the list she
has made on behalf of her partner.
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● Then the partner will be asked to read out the list
she has made for herself. This process will continue
until everyone has shared his or her lists.
You may or may not find that the list you have
made of your partner’s interests is correct. The process
of hearing someone else identify your interests may
also elicit a range of feelings. You may, for instance, feel
judged or misjudged.
If you had difficulty identifying a fellow student’s
real interests, think how much more likely you are to
be mistaken in identifying the needs and problems of
clients about whom you may know very little. Or in
identifying the needs of a community of which you are
not a member.
This activity will have demonstrated how difficult it
is to make correct assumptions about someone else’s
interests. It underlines the fact that there has to be
dialogue; as well, one should keep an open mind to
really understand the beliefs and values of other people.
Name tag exercise
Instructions to students:
1. Take a piece of paper and write your name in the
middle of it. In each of the four corners of the
page, write your responses to these four questions:
– What two things would you like your colleagues
to say about you?
– What is the single most important thing you do
(or would like to do) to make your relationship
with clients positive?
– What do you do on a daily basis that shows that
you value your health?
– What are the three values you believe in most
strongly?
2. In the space around your name, write at least six
adjectives that you feel best describe you.