"Family value" is the unique value possessed by Cambodia. From bygone past up to the present, family is the first and foremost element that Cambodians refer to in making any decision. For instance, before deciding to select any major in the university, students may think "is their selected subjects are the likes of their parents (family), will it benefit their family, materially and spiritually, are they walking on their parent's tracks...etc? For such the stated example, we can apparently see that family does stand on the top shelf of Cambodian thinking mentality.

So what are the benefits of such the mentality? Past and present Cambodia will be the references in answering this rhetoric as well as the author's innocent opinions.

Collective Benefits Indeed, "everything is for the collective good" has been the slogan drawn from such the mentality. For all efforts, activities; good or bad, Cambodian people seem to accomplish for family's good, rather than being selfish. This is one good point drawn form our unique mentality to steer us into group work, collaboration and most of all "two brains is better than one".

Uncorrupt Yes, in case the family value is appropriately applied to leadership or governance, the political stakeholders would be uncorrupt, since they see collective good or benefits prior to their self-interests; moreover, family value would be one of the best leadership styles taught in every class from primary to higher learning.

Human Quality Family value, if seen from philosophers' perspectives such as: Plato, Aristotle, Chinese or Japanese philosophers, is one of the central wisdoms led toward humanity, humanness and other qualities fit to be called "human person." And what about the drawbacks?

Family-ism and corruption would be the greatest evils drawn from our "family value." Favoring families members while selecting civil servants, board of directors and other political and business arena, family value would badly converted into family-ism and corruption when it becomes extreme.

I believe that my explanation is awfully short and less meaning full, but it would serve as instigation rather than execution and my impending book covers this issued will be thorough.

Lay Vicheka, translator for Pyramid Translation Co.,Ltd. and a freelance columnist for a magazine. He has been a legal assistant and migration agent before recruited to be translator. He wrote extensively about humanity; politics, law, philosophy, history, culture...etc.