Answers for "how to make reference to the value of html select option in jquery"

select option value jquery

$("select.country").change(function(){
  var selectedCountry = $(this).children("option:selected").val();
  alert("You have selected the country - " + selectedCountry);
});

jquery option selected value

<select id="myselect">
    <option value="1">Mr</option>
    <option value="2" selected="selected">Mrs</option>
    <option value="3">Ms</option>
    <option value="4">Dr</option>
    <option value="5">Prof</option>
</select>

<script>
  alert($( "#myselect" ).val()); //alert '2'
  //OR
  alert($( "#myselect option:selected" ).attr('value')); //alert '2'
  
  //Use this if you want to get the label and not the value
  alert($( "#myselect option:selected" ).text()); //alert 'Mrs'
</script>