Values and Their Relationship to Social Problems in Malaysia

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between values and social problems for Malaysian teenagers. Malaysia has undergone a tremendous social transformation that has affected many of its traditional and religious values and norms. This development is said to have contributed to a r.ise in social problems. Our basic premises are that values are reflected by behavior and that reli­gion plays an important role in Malaysians' value formation. In this context, and since !slam is Malaysia's official religion, the measurement of values is based on the works of al-Ghazali and Rokeach.1 Some suggestions also are provided for future devel­opment policies.