Admired values: the case of teenagers in Malaysia

The study examines the values that Malaysian teenagers admire, and how their values differ across age, gender, ethnic group and other characteristics. It also analyzes the relationship between students’ and perceived teachers’ admired values. Factor analysis is used to identify a number of values associated with various attributes that may be admired by students. It is found that altruistic values are the most admired, compared to attention‐seeking, self‐achievement, materialistic and anti‐social values. Values that students admire are different across various groups. In addition, there is a significant relationship between their values and values that they perceive their teachers admire. Based on the findings, policy recommendations are suggested to help solve the social problems in Malaysia.