Sentence:  These values give <WSD>direction</WSD> to the life of the middle-class man or woman , dictating the methods of child rearing , determining the pattern of community participation , setting the style for the psychiatric treatment of middle-class illness , and informing the congregational life of the major denominations . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action