UNIT

3: TOPICS TO BE COVERED

A. FACTORS AFFECTING MORAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
B. STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
C. MORALITY IN TODAY’S GENERATION

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Recall defining moments in moral formation;
2. Explain the relationship between individual acts and character;
3. Identify each stage of moral development;
4. Reflect on one’s personal moral character development.

DEVELOPMENT OF MORAL CHARACTER


QUESTION: WHO DO YOU THINK HAVE BEEN INFLUENTIAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
YOUR MORAL CHARACTER?


Moral character is formed by one’s actions. “The habits, actions, and emotional responses
of the person of good character all are united and directed toward the moral and the good”
(Mitchell, 2015, para. 1). In order for us to be able to acquire good habits and values, we
have to know what factors influence our moral character.

FACTORS AFFECTING MORAL DEVELOPMENT

1. FAMILY- The family plays a crucial role in the formation of someone’s moral character.
Biological or not, the family that one considers to have has an immense impact. Modern
times also affect the composition of the family we traditionally have known to be. Before,
we have a female for a mother, a male for a father, and their children. But, now, the
composition of parents could be varied. Despite the changes, the adults who are deemed to
be the parents, are still accountable for the moral development of their child or children.
Zigler and Finn-Stevenson (1987) asserted that there are several factors affecting the
values a parent could teach a child. These factors are: socioeconomic status, culture, age,
gender, religion, and education (as cited in Mamawal, 1993).

2. BIOLOGICAL CONSTITUTION- The biological factors such as age, sex, and gender, may
also have an impact on the value formation. It is supposed that as one grows older, the
moral character one has should also grow or improve. However, this is not always the case.
One’s progress in moral development is also hinged to other factors. One’s sex or gender
would have more impact once it combines with the other factors that could shape one’s
moral character.

3. PEER GROUP- As we become exposed to more people, we are pressured in trying to
belong or be accepted. Peers, friends, classmates, and colleagues are also influencers in our
moral character. Parents and teenagers are to be aware that in the adolescent years, teens
are drawn to spending more time with peers than family. The time spent with peers will
expose them to other perspectives and practices. This would test their existing set of
morals. Thus, the foundation of their moral character formed in the family should be
strong.

4. SCHOOL- Most of a person’s life before adulthood is commonly spent in school. In this
span of time, the exposure of the students come from the school, teachers, classmates,
lessons in class, and their peers. The school and its teachers could enhance the students’
moral character if they know how and if they are intentional about it. More and more
schools and workplace settings expect a student applicant to be of good character so
teaching how to develop one is vital.

5. COMMUNITY- To be part of a community means to also share their beliefs and/or
practice their traditions or culture. A community could pertain to a “locality, neighborhood,
town, city, or even a nation” (Panopio, 1983, as cited in Mamawal, 1993).

QUESTION: FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DO YOU THINK YOU BELONG IN A COMMUNITY
WITH STRONG MORAL VALUES? EXPOUND YOUR ANSWER.

STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT

“Human beings are not born with moral virtues.” –Mizzoni (2010)

DEVELOPING MORAL CHARACTER DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
However, if we are aware or made aware, we have the potential to choose and control our
actions through repetition until they become habits embedded in our character. If the
habits we have formed are good, they can be regarded as virtues and these will be easier to
do and choose when a dilemma arises. It is essential to realize that though it might be
embedded in our character, an intention to choose and act on it every time is vital.
Moreover, once people recognize it to be part of our character, they would expect for us to
always do it.


KOHLBERG’S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY

After interpreting and making inferences from the answers of his subjects, Kohlberg was
able to come up with a Moral Development Theory. This presents a six-stage theory
involving three levels of moral reasoning categorizing progressive change in person’s
moral development. The theory involves three levels of moral reasoning. Each of the three
levels contains two (2) separate stages:




There are several studies challenging Kohlberg’s study. Some studies stated that though
Kohlberg’s theory tries to have a universalist perspective, people from different cultures
could have different ways in forming moral character. Another study contradicted
Kohlberg’s findings, Moon (1984) asserted that it “did not find dominance of the justice
principle, and moral development, unfortunately is not necessarily congruent with age”
(Larson, 2004, p. 24).

After Kohlberg, other models for moral development emerged but still, his is
considered to be a relevant foundational contribution. As Giligan (1998) puts it, “Kohlberg
is perhaps the most influential psychologist in the field of moral development” (as cited in
Larson, 2003, p. 13).

QUESTION: HOW DO THE SOCIAL MEDIA SITES THAT WE USE CONTRIBUTE TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MORAL CHARACTER?


MORALITY IN TODAY’S GENERATION

In a globalized world, commitment to morality would be more challenging. Poushter
(2014) asked the question: “What’s morally acceptable?” specifically in the issues of
extramarital affairs, gambling, homosexuality, abortion, premarital sex, alcohol use,
divorce, and contraception use. The answer from the poll was: “It depends on where in the
world you live.”

In a survey conducted by Pew Research in 2014, it was found out that there are still a lot of
people who stated that belief in God is essential to be a moral person though this is only
limited to the poorer countries. In the Philippines, 93% believe that belief in God is
necessary to have morality.

Accessibility to information is a double-edged sword. It provides the ease of getting
information but not the ease of processing it well. Despite the digital divide, many still
enjoy and possibly suffer the plethora of information given or even forced to be digested by
the sources of information around us. Having a quiet time for self-reflection or just to take a
break from the many physical and psychological noises surrounding us becomes elusive
with the presence of mobile devices and the fear of missing out.

Morality is influenced by culture, religion, and education. For one to learn it, it has to be
taught directly or indirectly, it has to be observed in words and in practice, better yet, it has
to be experienced in one’s interaction with other people.

That is, if the morality defined at home is the same morality developed in school, church,
community, and media. However, the incongruences are ubiquitous — resulting to a
possible hodgepodge of morals. This strengthens the need to ensure proper moral
development among children — even adults — a very timely wake up call that has been
snoozed off and ignored every time it is convenient.

Despite the reliance of parents on schools for their children’s education and moral
formation, much of the learning starts at home — the earlier parents/guardians
understand this, the better the moral installation would be.

QUESTION: WHAT ONE VIRTUE THAT YOU HAVE, WOULD YOU CONSIDER AS
NONNEGOTIABLE? (MEANING, YOU WOULD NEVER GIVE IT UP OR SACRIFICE IT.) WHY?
PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.
























 WORKSHEET 3.1


1. Who do you think have been influential in the development of your moral character?






2. From your perspective, do you think you belong to a community with a strong moral character?
Expound your answer.






3. Are you satisfied with the quality of your moral character? What about your moral character, does it
make you satisfied/dissatisfied?






4. What social media sites do you use? How do these contribute to the development of your moral
character?






5. What one virtue that you have, you consider as non-negotiable? (Meaning, you would never give up
or sacrifice it.) Why? Please explain your answer?

6. Narrate your Kwento ng Kabutihan.