Harvard Professor Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral
development is applicable to male socialization and efforts
to surpass its limitations.
1. The first level of moral thinking is that generally
found at the elementary school level. In the first stage of
this level, people behave according to socially acceptable
norms because they are told to do so by some authority figure
(e.g., parent or teacher). This obedience is compelled by
the threat or application of punishment. The second stage
of this level is characterized by a view that right behavior
means acting in one's own best interests.
With regard to domestic violence and sexual assault many
men will resort to these behaviors if they think they may
not be punished. E.g. soldiers in wartime
2. The second level of moral thinking is that generally
found in society, hence the name "conventional."
The first stage of this level (stage 3) is characterized by
an attitude which seeks to do what will gain the approval
of others. The second stage (4) is one oriented to abiding
by the law and responding to the obligations of duty.
This is the stage of conformity. Thus men will conform to
male peer group norms even if it goes against their own moral
code. For example reports indicate that about 75% of men feel
uncomfortable about sexist labels for women but fewer men
actually feel confident enough to take a stand. See raft
story for men conforming to male norms they may not individually
agree with.
3. The third level of moral thinking is one that Kohlberg
felt is not reached by the majority of adults. Its first stage
(stage 5) is an understanding of social mutuality and a genuine
interest in the welfare of others. The last stage (stage 6)
is based on respect for universal principle and the demands
of individual conscience.
The women’s equity movement is making many gender inequities
visible, consequently, many men are today working to break
free of the old male norms and develop an individual-heart-based
morality. For example the Men’s Resource Centre supports
the troops in Irag as men, but is against war on principle.
click
here for story “Yes to Men, No to War” The
article rejects the notion that men must fight but unlike
the blame apportioned to the Vietnam Vets, men like Michael
Dover and Rob Okun, (MRC Co-Directors) are careful to “support
the man but not the behaviour.”
Kohlberg believed that individuals could only progress through
these stages one stage at a time. That is, they could not
"jump" stages. They could not, for example, move
from an orientation of selfishness to the law and order stage
without passing through the good boy/girl stage. They could
only come to a comprehension of a moral rationale one stage
above their own. Thus, according to Kohlberg, it was important
to present them with moral dilemmas for discussion which would
help them to see the reasonableness of a "higher stage"
morality and encourage their development in that direction.
The last comment refers to Kohlberg's moral discussion approach.
He saw this as one of the ways in which moral development
can be promoted through formal education. Note that Kohlberg
believed, as did Piaget, that most moral development occurs
through social interaction. The discussion approach is based
on the insight that individuals develop as a result of cognitive
conflicts at their current stage.
This article consists of extracts from a piece by Robert
N. Barger, Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556
With thanks to Robert N. Barger, for permission to reprint.
For full article click
here
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