Moral education is instruction focused on questions of right and wrong. Moral education also includes the development of values, the standards by which people judge what is important, worthwhile, and good.
People receive moral education from many sources, including their family, church, friends, and teachers–and even television. Schools have always been involved in such education, either intentionally or unintentionally. For example, many stories for young readers include a moral lesson. During the 1970’s, educators in the United States began to develop special teaching methods to help students deal with moral questions.
Methods of moral education
Schools use four chief methods in moral education. These methods are (1) inculcation, (2) values clarification, (3) moral development, and (4) value analysis. Some schools use a combination of these methods in an approach called comprehensive moral education.
Inculcation
is an effort to teach children the values that educators believe lead to moral behavior. These values include honesty, compassion, justice, and respect for others. One way of teaching such standards is to provide appropriate praise and punishment. Another means is to have teachers reflect the desired values in their own behavior.
Values clarification
helps students develop their own values and moral standards by teaching them a decision-making process. The learning procedures stress setting goals, choosing thoughtfully from alternatives, and acting on one’s own convictions.
Moral development
helps students improve their ability to judge moral questions. This method is based on the theory that people progress from lower to higher stages of moral reasoning. According to the theory, people progress from making moral decisions based on self-interest, to seeking the approval of others, to following rules, to respecting the rights of others, and so on. At the highest moral level, an individual might oppose the laws of society if they conflict with moral principles that are even higher.
Educators stimulate moral development primarily by having students discuss difficult questions called moral dilemmas. One dilemma might be, “Should a father steal food to feed his starving family?” Educators also stimulate moral development by establishing just schools, in which students govern themselves according to the principles of fairness and justice.
Value analysis
helps students apply techniques of logic and scientific investigation to matters involving values. Teachers stress the importance of exploring all alternatives, of gathering and evaluating the facts, and of making a logical decision.
Arguments about moral education
Some people oppose the teaching of moral education in schools. Many of these individuals feel that only the family and church should provide such instruction. Others argue that moral education takes class time that should be used for such basic subjects as reading, writing, and mathematics.
Surveys indicate that most parents favor some form of moral education in schools. Supporters of such education argue that the family and church need help in teaching moral behavior. Many believe that schools in a democratic society must teach such values as hard work, honesty, fairness, cooperation, tolerance, and respect.
See also Character education ; Curriculum (Curriculum changes) ; Ethics .
