Moral Development of Adolescence
"Is what’s good and bad the same for everyone? What exactly do we mean by “morality”? The etymology of the word morality is from the Latin word moralis meaning “custom.” It is important to remember that what is considered moral differs from group to group and culture to culture. Learning the morals of society is part of the child’s adaptation to the society. All human beings have to adapt to their group, to their culture, in order to feel secure in that society. We have a need to be accepted by the others in our society just as we must accept them if we are going to live harmoniously together."
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Kolhberg's Stage of Moral Development |
From the Blackwell Handbook of Adolescence |
What Students Think?Response by Gracie:
"Some people don't care what other think of them, but I do. Not only can we no longer truly be ourselves but trying to fit in can be hard too. People say don't hangout with other who don't like you for who you are People say don't change for anyone but all I want is to fit in. Even if it means to change just a little. I'd rather change then have no friends. Plus the people you thought were your friends can be fake. My grandpa always said "Never have more friends than eyes." I never believed that until this year. This also hard to find a group of good friends that don't try to make you do bad things. It is good to surround yourself with good people. School+Social Life= No Sleep" |
In the book, edited by Gerald Adams and Michael Berzonsky, they take an alternative approach to looking at Moral Development from Kohlberg and Eisnberg. "Instead, our view is that an alternative theoretical approach to social and moral development is needed to reconcile the conflicting perspectives on adolescent morality."
"...much of the research evidence from these perspectives has not provided moral reasoning or more internalized presocial moral judgments. In Kohlbergs longitudinal research, early adolescents were primary found to be preconventional in their moral reasoning and by middle adolescence, they remained preconventional or continued to demonstrate preconventional thinking as they transitioned to higher developmental stages. " |
“You shouldn’t like things because people tell you you’re supposed to."
-Jonathan Byers, Stranger Things-