Describes moral panic over wilding (sexual violence committed by a group of urban teens), examining elements of race, class, and fear of crime, especially as manifested in the media. Suggests that wilding is a distinctive form of moral panic that symbolizes a threat to society at large and to a political economy that reproduces racial and social…

This study investigated Korean kindergartners' reasoning during group moral discussions of problematic situations based on pictures depicting problem situations. Findings revealed that young children were able to reason about others' perspectives, acknowledge problematic situations, grasp the causes of the problems, predict consequences, and seek…

Examines changes in moral reasoning among college students and seeks to determine whether there are gender differences in the process. Women scored higher than men on both Principled moral reasoning and Davison's moral index and graduating students scored higher than first-year students on Davison's moral index. Discusses whether Kohlberg's theory…

Invites college professors to look at curiosity as an operative, intellectual virtue giving impetus to the moral lives of students. Addresses the objection that professors are simply too specialized in their professional content areas to help students develop virtue, asserting that curiosity well fostered promotes a set of other moral virtues,…

Examines the challenges of senior public service in the executive office of the president of the United States. The memoirs used demonstrate the high cumulative cost that public service exacts on the health and private lives of senior officials. Reveals themes regarding how officials navigate dilemmas and challenges of public service. (Contains 24…

Investigated moral reasoning of male college freshmen to determine whether differences exist in moral judgments of Greek affiliates and nonaffiliates. Findings from 103 male freshman fraternity pledges and 92 independent male freshmen revealed significant differences between principled moral reasoning of Greek affiliates and independents such that…

Examines the novels of Cynthia Voigt in terms of the recurring theme that the sacrifice of one's self or one's interest, usually for the supposed advantage of others, can in the long run do more harm than good. A bibliography of Voigt's novels is provided. (two references) (CLB)

This article discusses Thomas Hobbes' concept of conscience, the historical context in which the concept was formulated, and Hobbes' conclusion that civil law takes precedence over religious conscience. Hobbes' views are related to the debate between Pratte and Losito over the interaction between religious and civic conscience. (IAH)

Examines the institution of health from the communication perspective. Discusses the new emphasis on preventing illness through individuals'"proper" behavior. Advocates a communication-based approach to values in health care: a person-centered value base including both reason and emotion, contrary to the principle-based, rational mode of…

Asks when and to what purpose society labels discourse ideological. Analyzes the cluster of terms used to denote moral choices and the process of moral suasion by placing them in a taxonomy of illocutionary acts and detailing their differences and similarities among judging, moralizing, and ideologizing. (MS)

Criticizes outgoing Secretary of Education William Bennett for speech-making designed to pull at the public heartstrings while leaving the purse strings intact. Bennett finds a comfortable refuge in Platonic reality and virtue and stirs up deep-seated frustrations with the nation's failings. These problems play well on the evening news but offer…

Trust is essential to every school board member striving to fulfill responsibilities to the electorate and the school system. Trust should not be blind, but based on experience and informed reasoning. Suggestions for trusting the superintendent, fellow board members, legal counsel, independent auditors, the democratic process, and oneself are…

The Developmental Studies Center and the San Ramon Unified School District (California) have cooperated for five years on a character education program called the Child Development Project. This program is integrated into the academic curriculum and stresses cooperation, sharing, learning from example, expanding perspectives, and developmental…

School administrators make hundreds of decisions each year that affect their schools' academic and ethical quality. This article presents 12 practical dilemmas involving evaluation, discipline, and community relations to test secondary principals' character and reveal the ethical quality of their leadership. (MLH)

Provides a bibliography of 41 books and reports on character development themes such as values education, civic responsibility, family and societal influences, ethical instruction, traditional American and religious values, and parental involvement. (MLH)