There are several layers of disagreement represented by constructivist, communitarian, feminist, and traditional views of moral education. This special issue brings together representatives of several perspectives and explores how best to engage in just and caring education. Three authors share a developmental perspective; two others are concerned…

Investigated Gilligan's hypothesis on the origin of moral orientation through analysis of sibling-conflict interactions in 40 dual-parent families with 2 children, ages 2 and 4. Found only partial support for hypothesis in that, regardless of the child's gender, mothers used significantly more care than justice orientation, whereas fathers used…

Reports on a study that examined the effects of the "Facing History and Ourselves" program on moral development and psychological functioning. Asserts that this study adds to the literature suggesting that human rights education positively affects students' moral development. (CFR)

Issues of morality and children are examined. Information on moral judgment research with children is discussed with implications for educational interventions. Research suggesting that characteristics of moral dilemmas and solutions are related to sex and grade is presented. Areas to be pursued in research and practical application are…

Because of widespread acceptance of Kohlberg's theory of moral development other aspects of moral thinking and behavior linked with the feminine voice have not received attention. Four areas of Kohlberg's theory relevant to the gender issue are critiqued, and work by Carol Gilligan, suggesting alternative theories for thinking and behavior, is…

This study examined whether religious education courses in the basic studies curriculum affected moral reasoning about competition among athletes and nonathletes in four small colleges. Participants (N=285) completed the Hahm-Beller Values Choice Inventory. Nonathletes (NA) scored significantly higher than did athletes in team sports (TS), but not…

Presents a study in which students from Kuwait were given Rest's Defining Issues Test (DIT) to measure the development of moral judgment skills. Explains that results were compared with scales measuring student perception of parental behavior. Concludes that the DIT may not be a valid test for development of moral judgment in an Arab culture. (DK)

Examines gender differences in professional school students' ethical sensitivity and moral reasoning. Results indicate that male and female dental students differ in general sensitivity to ethical issues, but not in recognition of issues of care or in moral reasoning. Suggests new directions for research in moral development. (Author/DH)

Reports a study of a connectedness' versus separateness' orientation in adolescents' reasoning about friendship, loyalty, and understanding of political and social order. Conflict resolution for students having a connectedness orientation focused on negotiation; in separateness orientation, the focus was on codes of conduct. Adolescent males…

Presents an annotated bibliography, arranged alphabetically by author, of 85 doctoral dissertations published between 1991 and 1993 on topics related to moral development and values education. Includes dissertations on the teacher's impact on moral development and on teaching about value issues in social studies. (CFR)

The effects of self-oriented and other-oriented questions on moral reasoning scores for two moral dilemmas involving stealing and school cheating were investigated. The reasoning scores of elementary school-aged children increased on other-oriented questions by the fifth grade. Females' scores showed consistent reasoning on self-oriented and…

Reports on experiments that examined the extent to which children's moral orientation is affected by the gender of characters experiencing a dilemma in children's literature. Children often responded to the character's dilemma by expressing a concern for others (care orientation) or focusing on issues of rights and justice (rights orientation).…

Arguing that adolescence is a syndrome to be managed rather than a stage to be outgrown, this book offers suggestions from a high school principal as an insider's guide to today's teenage world. The book contends that the major task of adolescence is to gain mastery over emotion, and that a partnership between parents and educators is imperative…

This book provides information about sex to help readers, particularly teenagers, clarify their needs and values relating to sex--to understand sex, to deal with their own sexuality constructively and responsibly, and to deal with the sexuality of others in ways that are considerate and helpful. It is designed for either classroom or individual…

Summarizes conclusions from research on sex and age differences in moral reasoning. Finds men focused on rights and women on responsiblity, and older adults better able to articulate their moral positions though no longer engaged in moral growth. Suggests changes in the content and pedagogy of moral education. (DMM)