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LEARNER’S MODULE IN Gen Ed 101: Understanding The Self

MODULE 6

MORAL SELF
Living with Purpose-Personal Values and Philosophy of Life

Morality
Every day, people are confronted with dilemmas. Solving them requires one to decide on what kind of action or response to make. In
some instances, it is easy for one to respond to a difficult situation, while in some cases, choosing the best response is difficult.

A dilemma is a problematic situation in which a difficult choice must be made. Most of the time, the consequences of any of the
choices or options are perceived to be negative and unappealing to the person involved. The kind of responses or actions taken or
made when one is in a quandary serves as a good test of a person's level of moral development.

Moral is related to the sense or a standard that determines what is right and what is wrong. It distinguishes correct from incorrect, or
appropriate from inappropriate. Morality refers to the system of beliefs and values that ensures that individuals will keep their
obligations to others in the society and behave in ways that do not interfere with the rights and interests of others (Gerrig & Zimbardo,
2002).

Moral Reasoning
Moral reasoning refers to the judgments people make about what courses of action are correct or incorrect in particular situations
(Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2002). Reasoning is a cognitive skill, but influences moral development.

Lawrence Kohlberg (1958) came up with the theory of moral development by studying the concept of moral reasoning.

The Stages of Moral Reasoning

Level Stage
Preconventional morality 1.Pleasure/pain orientation
2.Cost-benefit;reciprocity
Conventional morality 3.Good-child orientation
4.Law and order orientation
Principled or postconventional morality 5.Social contract orientation
6.Ethical principle orientation
7.Cosmic orientation
Reason for Moral Behavior
To avoid pain,punishment or getting
caught
To get rewards
To gain acceptance and avoid disapproval
To follow rules and avoid censure by
authorities
To promote the welfare of society
To achieve justice and avoid self-
condemnation
To be true to universal principles and feel
oneself part of cosmic direction that
transcends social norms

Parenting Styles

In raising their children, parents use different strategies, called parenting styles. An expert on parenting, Diana Baumrind
(1967), came up with three parenting styles, namely authoritarian, authoritative, and permissive.

Authoritarian parents attempt to shape, control, and evaluate the behavior and attitudes of their children in accordance with
an absolute set of conduct standards that usually comes from religious or respected authorities. They use harsh discipline and
punishment. Obedience becomes a virtue. These parents do not communicate well with their children, and do not explain the rationale
behind the rules and the consequences of their actions. They do not listen to the viewpoints of their children and may use force to
ensure compliance.

On the other hand, authoritative parents direct their children's activities in a rational and intelligent way. They are supportive, loving,
and committed; support a give-and-take relationship; discuss their rules and policies with their children; and encourage children to
present their viewpoints. They offer explanations for rules and consequences.

Permissive parents are less controlling and behave with an accepting and non-punishing attitude towards their children's desires,
actions, and impulses. They use reason rather than direct power. They are warm and supportive, but tend not to enforce rules.
Because discipline is lacking, children tend to make their own rules even if they can benefit from parental rules.

A fourth parenting style was introduced by Maccoby and Martin in 1983. They coined the term uninvolved or neglectful parents who
take on a "hands-off" stand in the affairs of their children.

The following classification describes the dominant behaviors parents use in dealing with their children. However, most parents
combine different styles in child-rearing.

Effects of Parenting Styles

Parenting styles influence the development of children's personality. Children exhibit distinct characteristics which they imbibe from the
way their parents raise them.

1. Authoritarian parents are demanding, and their children have less behavioral problems which are easily prevented. However, studies
show that children reared under autocratic parents tend to become withdrawn, fearful, and dependent. These children may suffer from
low self-esteem. They may carry these traits until adolescence or adulthood.
2. Authoritative parents have children who are independent, reliable, rationale, and confident. These children generally feel good about
themselves.
3.Permissive parents rarely impose rules and are non punishing. Thus, they tend to have children who do not put structure and order in
things that they do. For these children, anything goes.
4. Uninvolved parents are detached and indifferent to the needs of their children. As such, children grow up feeling unloved and cannot
follow instructions. Some also fall prey or resort to substance abuse as a form of distraction or a way to get attention.

It must be noted that the kinds of parenting styles represent the dominant practices applied by parents in dealing with their
children. When you become parents yourselves, strive to adopt the authoritative parenting style. However, depending on certain
situations, you can also practice the authoritarian or permissive parenting styles.
It is important that when children misbehave, they are made to realize the consequences of their behavior. On the other
hand, if they behave well, the corresponding reward or motivation should be given.

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ACTIVITY SHEET
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
MODULE VI
NAME OF LEARNER:____________________________________________
YEAR AND COURSE:____________________________________________

Test I
Direction:Identify the parenting style associated with the parental behavior in each item.Strictly no erasures.

________________________1.I always scold my child when he/she misbehaves.

________________________2. When my child misbehaves, I tell him/her the consequences of his/her misbehavior.

________________________3. When my child shouts at the top of his/her voice during meal time, I just let him/her be.

________________________4. I see to it that I supervise my child when studying his/her lessons and doing his/her homework.

________________________5. I let my child do anything that he/she wants to do.

________________________6. I teach my child to be orderly and clean.

________________________7. I always remind my child about house rules.

________________________8. When it is time for meals, I make sure that my child eats.

________________________9. I shout at my child when he/she does not obey what I tell him/her to do.

________________________10. When we talk, I allow my child to give his/ her ideas or viewpoints.

Test II

1.Explain your understanding about the quote. “An individual who has a good sense of what is right and wrong will be an honest and
upright member of the community”.(5 points)

Prepared by:LAARNI A.TOLETE,LPT

Instructor