A comprehensive national framework is proposed for transforming values into measurable and improveable behavioral practices.
Jeddah – August 2026: The Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association in the Makkah region issued a research report entitled “Engineering Family Values in Children,” which includes a proposed comprehensive national framework for engineering family values in children. This framework focuses on a matrix of family values for children, aiming to provide a practical and applicable framework that contributes to building and strengthening the behavioral and value system of children in Saudi society, using scientific measurement tools and procedural indicators.
The report adopted a descriptive, survey-based, and analytical approach, employing quantitative and qualitative tools such as in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. It involved 960 parents and 170 specialists and experts to examine the current state of values among children, priorities for instilling them, indicators of observed behavior, and the impact of values on family cohesion and stability.
The report proposes a comprehensive national framework for translating values into measurable and improveable behavioral practices. The report's findings revealed that family values ranked first in terms of actual application among children, with an average of 87.3%, followed by moral values at 83.9%, social values at 81.0%, behavioral values and discipline at 80.8%, and religious values at 79.3%. The results also indicated a generally high level of values among children, with digital literacy, self-initiative, and emotional management emerging as developmental priorities.
Furthermore, the report demonstrated a high level of awareness among the sample group regarding the impact of values on family cohesion and stability. Indicators of the impact of values on the family ranged between 88% and 100%, encompassing aspects such as security and stability, trust, affection, cooperation, dialogue, moderation in technology use, responsibility, and participation in volunteer and beneficial activities. The CEO of Al-Mawaddah Family Development Association, Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Radhi, affirmed that the report, "Engineering Family Values in Children," comes within the framework of the association's commitment to developing knowledge and practices that support the family. He pointed out that transforming values from theoretical concepts into clear and measurable behavioral practices is a fundamental aspect of building a more effective value system for children and strengthens the family's role in values-based upbringing.
Al-Radhi concluded that the report's findings highlight the strength of family and moral values in children, along with the need to continue developing aspects related to the balanced use of technology, self-initiative, and emotional management, which supports building a more balanced personality prepared for the demands of the future.
The report includes a matrix for engineering family values that links value dimensions to children's developmental stages, along with proposed programmatic and institutional initiatives, and a practical guide for parents to implement the "values matrix" at home. This guide includes a five-stage plan based on value identification, dialogue, role modeling, reinforcement, and evaluation, with a weekly schedule for monitoring and assessment. The report offers recommendations to promote digital literacy, emotional intelligence, family participation, volunteer initiatives, and linking faith-based education to daily behavior, in order to support the development of family programs and initiatives, and to enhance cohesion, stability, and quality of family life.