Moral Development in Adolescence: A Need for Reform

Summary

Moral development is more than simply gaining the experience and understanding to make the “right” decision when faced with a dilemma, it is being comfortable in how you will function within that knowledge. With adolescents, they are often unaware of how to make many of these decisions, and without the proper guidance, they may make choices that will negatively affect themselves, and/or those around them. There are many opportunities for adults to offer guidance to today’s youth, but it seems as if we have some opportunities to do better.

Antisocial behavior typically peaks during adolescence, this is a time for questioning societal and moral norms, but some chose to push it further (Schulman, et al., 2011). There could be any number of reasons for this for each individual. However, when looking at the bigger picture, it seems there is a lack in moral development nurturing that takes precedence in modern society. Strong moral codes are not as strictly enforced in the home, schools do not have the resources available to address problems (Berk, 2010), and our media is plagued by immoral imagery and ideas.

Alfred Adler had a theory that would provide the framework necessary to promote healthy moral development nurturing through exposing children and adolescents to activities that would bring social interest to life. Some of these activities could be community service events, open discussion where free thought is not just allowed, but promoted, projects, books, etc. (Ostrovsky, Parr, & Gradel, 1992). Not only is this issue being addressed in scholarly journals all over the globe, but in media outlets as well. People are concerned with the moral relativism found in the home, schools, and communities and are pushing for action in order to prevent further decay of our youth’s moral development (Nickson, 2004).

Discussion

The importance of moral development is clear. Healthy moral development enables us to interact socially, and as we are a social species, it is imperative that we have the skills necessary to behave within societal and moral norms. In relation to morality is social interest, or the concern for others. An individual who has a lack of concern for others may have issues with friends, family, and/or coworkers. This could in turn lead into an ugly cycle of alienation, feelings of competition, insecurity, and inferiority, which could lead a person to feel like they need to focus on personal superiority rather than communing with society (Ostrovsky, Parr, & Gradel, 1992).

As we are seeing in modern culture, without the cultivation of morality, our youth are more apt to make decisions that will negatively affect their life. On television, they are seeing the glorification of teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol addiction, and an overall “party” lifestyle. In their daily lives, they are applying what they see,