Growing up, we learn values that shape our actions and decisions for the rest of our lives.

Living by certain values not only guides us but also reveals a lot about our upbringing.

It shows the world, ‘Hey, I was raised well!’

In this article, I’ll be covering 8 such values.

If you live your life according to these, you were clearly raised well! 

Let’s dive straight in:

1) Respect for others

This won’t come as a surprise, but people who are raised well understand the value of treating others with decency and kindness.

They know that every individual, regardless of their status, deserves to be treated with dignity.

And the beauty of this value is that it doesn’t discriminate.

Regardless of how others behave, if you were raised with good values you recognize the inherent worth in every person and show them courtesy, even when it’s not reciprocated.

Now, that’s not to say you’re a pushover or you accept bad behavior, but you behave in a way that’s respectful and mature. 

Ultimately, this reflects your upbringing and the example your parents set for you from a young age. 

2) Honesty

As a kid, I learned early on the value of honesty.

My parents always emphasized that being truthful was non-negotiable.

I remember one time, I had accidentally broken a vase at home.

Like most kids at that age, I was tempted to hide it, but the lessons of honesty from my parents echoed in my mind.

So, I confessed.

Instead of being angry, my parents appreciated my honesty.

Through the years, I’ve realized that honesty isn’t just about telling the truth to others but also being truthful to oneself.

It’s owning up to your mistakes, accepting your flaws, and striving to improve.

And when people stick to the truth, no matter how hard it is, it’s a clear sign their parents raised them with integrity and a sense of responsibility to do the right thing. 

On that note…

3) Responsibility

Responsibility is a crucial value that speaks volumes about your upbringing.

You own your actions, fulfill your commitments, and understand that every decision has consequences.

I’ve often noticed how those who seem to progress in life often had responsibility instilled in them from a young age.

Case in point:

My cousins from my mom’s side of the family grew up in families with strong values – they taught their kids to pick up after themselves, help around the house, and how best to budget their pocket money. 

Most of them now have successful careers and are doing well for themselves. They’re in happy marriages and seem to be progressing year after year. 

On the other hand, my cousins from my dad’s side of the family were raised in a more relaxed fashion.

Their mom, my aunt, did pretty much everything for them – actually, she still does even though they’re adults now. 

As you can guess, they’re not doing as well in life. And when it comes to taking responsibility for themselves? 

Well, they tend to pawn that off onto their mom, too.

4) Empathy

Empathy is another value that stands out in people who were raised well.

This is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and to put yourself in their shoes before passing judgment.

If you were raised to be empathetic, you’re probably more sensitive to the emotions of people around you.

When you see a neighbor looking stressed, you don’t hide behind your fence and hope they don’t notice you – you ask how they are. 

When a friend seems down, you take round food to cheer them up. 

Your parents likely taught you empathy through example. When you experienced big emotions as a child, they were patient and kind.

In your teen years, they reminded you of the power of compassion and understanding when your hormones were clouding your judgment. 

In other words, they raised you to be a kind person, and that’s a testament to the values they hold close. 

5) Humility

This is a value I was certainly raised with. 

My dad has always done well for himself, probably a lot better than the rest of his family.

But he never once showed off. He always thanked God for his good fortune and would downplay his achievements in front of those who weren’t as well-off. 

As a result, I find myself doing the same. 

I don’t deny my hard work or the effort I’ve put into designing a life I’m happy with, but I certainly wouldn’t go around bragging about it either. 

And here’s the thing:

People who live their lives with humility are generally well-respected.

They inspire others with their modesty and willingness to learn, creating a positive influence around them.

If you can relate to that, you were clearly raised well. 

6) Love

Love, in all its forms, is a remarkable value that gives life its deepest significance.

But I’m not just talking about romantic love – if you’ve been raised with this value, you show love and care to everyone; strangers, animals, your neighbors, and so on. 

You tend to see the best in people and believe in spreading positivity and good vibes wherever you go.  People may even comment on how warm and inviting you are. 

I have a friend like this. She leaves such a lovely impression on everyone she meets because she treats people, even complete strangers, as good friends. 

She gives them the benefit of the doubt (until proven wrong) and people really respect her for it. 

Of course, it all made sense when I met her parents. They were the epitome of loving and kind – it was clear to see where she got it from. 

7) Perseverance

I remember a time when I was striving to get a promotion at work in my early 20s.

Despite my hard work and dedication, things didn’t seem to be going my way. I was on the verge of giving up.

But the value of perseverance, instilled in me since childhood, urged me to keep going.

My parents often reminded me of their hard work to make their business successful.

How they had to work through late nights, raising kids, and times when they were financially unstable. 

It’s a lesson I remind myself of often, especially when life gets tough.

And if you were raised well, you were probably taught the importance of perseverance too. 

You don’t give up easily, and you don’t expect success overnight. As a result of your upbringing, you’re willing to be patient and put in the hard work. 

8) Gratitude

Gratitude is a value that can drastically change your perspective on life.

It’s acknowledging the good in your life and being thankful for it.

No matter how small or simple it is, you look for the positives rather than focusing on negatives. 

And you know what?

People who live their lives with gratitude tend to be happier and more content.

They appreciate the small joys of life, celebrate their victories, and find lessons in their failures.

But that’s not all…

Practicing gratitude also has a positive impact on your relationships.

It makes you more appreciative of others and helps you build stronger connections.

So, if you relate to the points above, it looks like your folks did a great job of instilling some of the most important values in you from a young age.

Through their guidance, they’ve taught you to be a responsible, kind, and honest person – just the type of person the world needs more of.