This chapter looks at John Dewey's consideration of childhood as a platform which to view the significance of childhood in moral life. It argues that the concept of childhood is integral to our thinking in the teaching and learning relationship. When we consider childhood from Dewey's platform, we see that childhood is relevant to…

This article addresses the question of why the emotions children and adolescents anticipate in the context of hypothetical scenarios have been repeatedly found to predict actual (im)moral behavior. It argues that a common motivational account of this relationship is insufficient. Instead, three links are proposed that connect cognitive…

Postmodern pedagogy is constantly confronted with Lyotard's condemnation of grand narratives found in the philosophy of modernity, on the basis of which basic patterns of moral education were developed. In searching for new answers to the question of how education can prepare individuals for life in an age of late modernity, this paper presents…

Liberals champion the view that promoting autonomy--seeing to it that our children develop into individuals who are self-governing in the conduct of their lives--is a vital aim of education, though one generally accredited as being subsidiary to well-being. Our prime goal in this article is to provide a partial validation of this liberal ideal…

Luhmann, a prominent exponent of social systems theory, maintains that in modern, functionally differentiated societies morality is neither possible nor necessary. Against this claim it is argued that democracies want citizens with moral motivation. In contrast to Kohlberg, moral motivation is conceptualised as independent of stage of moral…

The Damon hierarchy of development of children's sense of positive justice is examined for its usefulness in predicting fairness in behavior and reliability in age patterning of its stated levels of reasoning. The hierarchy's value as a developmental schedule for teacher guidance may be questionable. (Author)

Views school-age children living in five distinct worlds, each with their own operational modes. Discusses the negative repercussions of failing to recognize the child's worlds. Reviews Lawrence Kohlberg's, Eliot Turiel's, and Carol Gilligan's positions concerning moral education. Recommends a broad definition of morality, including justice and…

A developmental psychologist discusses the meaning of "moral development" and suggests ways to implement classroom activities fostering the moral growth of pupils. (MB)

Children's character or moral development, what the author refers to as ethical development, has been an important and controversial topic in schools for many years. Educators agree that it is vital to renew the emphasis on teaching for character development. Schools face an important challenge, doing their part in preparing children and youth to…

This issue of "Children in Contemporary Society" focuses on the theme of moral education for young children and addresses the following topics: the historical background of interest in and conceptualization of moral education; aspects of child development that affect the young child's judgment and conduct on moral issues; the…

In delineating a program of moral education for the schools, the question must be asked whether a framework of moral education can be provided that is constructive and responsible, and that does not simply impose a set of authoritarian values, yet give a child some guidance. (Author)

The seven chapters of this theme issue examine how to create a moral context to stimulate moral development and how the system of self-interest in childhood and adolescence integrates the system of morality in ways that yield a high moral identity. Among issues considered are the moral climate of a school and child development. (SLD)

Researchers analyzed the responses of second-, fourth-, and sixth-grade students who read three fables, and traced the relationship between grade level and stage of moral development. The children reflected different stages of moral development. The use of fables to elicit responses to moral questions is discussed. (PP)

Discusses how the author remembers Lawrence Kohlberg and how she came into a long-term conversation with him that influenced the course of her research. Emphasizes the impact that bringing women into studies of child development and psychology had on these fields. (DSK)

Defines ways normative concerns enter into the design and interpretation of empirical research on children's development of justice conceptions. Emphasizes William Damon's stage theory of development. Suggests an alternative research program based on adjustments between the normative and the empirical. Argues this program must focus on children's…