Values are abstract concepts that shape individuals’ behaviors and play a critical role in maintaining social order and harmony. Values education aims to contribute to children’s social, mental, and moral development, fostering individuals with strong values and ensuring these values are passed on to future generations. In this context, the purpose of this research is to determine the place of the concept of values in society and to examine the most valued and most lost values, the reasons for these losses, and what needs to be done to regain these values through interviews with participants.

The research was conducted with 75 people living in the Eyyübiye, Haliliye, and Karaköprü districts of Şanlıurfa using a semi-structured interview form. The research model is qualitative, utilizing a phenomenological design. Participants were asked about the concept of values, the values they consider most important, the most lost values in society, the reasons for these losses, and how these lost values can be regained.

The research results show that the concept of values in society is perceived as “worth, self-respect, rule, emotion,” and that the values of “respect, justice, honesty” are the most valued. The most lost values were identified as “justice, love, honesty.” The most influential factors in the loss of values were found to be “technological developments and communication tools, living conditions of the era, environment.” The most effective methods for regaining lost values were evaluated as “education and training, conscious child-rearing, being a role model.” It was emphasized that schools should place more importance on values education and that families also have a significant role in values education by serving as role models for their children.

Value, society, individual.