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Carol Gilligan “In a Different Voice -Women’s Conceptions of Self and Morality. (1977). Gilligan: Kohlberg’s Theory based on male notions of fairness, justice.
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Carol Gilligan“In a Different Voice -Women’s Conceptions of Self and Morality. (1977) • Gilligan: Kohlberg’s Theory based on male notions of fairness, justice. • Because of Kohberg, women are seen as lacking the “objectivity” and “independence of judgement” to make high level moral decisions. Most women are‘stuck’ at Level Three: by trying to please others, avoiding hurt. Gilligan: “Failure of development.”
GILLIGAN In Kohlberg, Higher Levels are biased toward males. The focus on individualism, autonomy, objective ‘justice’, upholding rules, and other relative concepts is culturally biased toward males. (e.g. Stage Six is highly abstract…Making decisions separate from the group!) MALES: The “JUSTICE” Voice.
In contrast, Gilligan says that women base their morality on social embededness…….. caring compassionintimacy interpersonal relations avoiding hurtWOMEN: The “Interpersonal Voice” • csdf
Gilligan hated Kohlberg’s way of collecting data. NOT REAL LIFE! She used Qualitative Data (interviews) with REAL people for a richer sense. Central focus on “real life” ….. Initial Study:Abortion decision study (29 subjects who were in crisis referred for counseling). Later studies:College student study (25 subjects followed up after 5 years) & Rights and responsibility study(36 males and females interviewed) Initially used Kohlberg’s stages, but found women didn’t respond within his model
GILLIGAN’S LEVELS:1. LEVEL ONE: Individual Survival2. LEVEL TWO: Self Sacrifice and Social Conformity3. LEVEL THREE: Morality of Non-violence (Caring)
Her theories somewhat parallel Kohlberg’s….but the primary differences are: 1. Methods (qualitative)2. Her subjects (females)3. Her conclusions: doing no harm as the highest conclusions (e.g. Malcolm X would be at Kohlberg’s Level six…his universal notion of truth was that of EQUALITY (but to get that equality…he advocated violence.)Gilligan says women would not do this. Political impact: If more women in power - we wouldn’t have the wars we do.
REACTION TO GILLIGAN?1. Some feminists loved it (“finally a focus on women!!)2. Some hated it (“just reinforces the stereotypical female roles) 3. Undeniably influential
GENDER DIFFERENCES Video: Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Lives of Adolescent Girls
OTHER STATS about GENDER in Education: Essay Question: Handout “Girls Rule! Mythmakers to the Contrary, It’s Boys who are in Trouble.”
PROMOTING MORAL DEVELOPMENT1. Classroom Community 2. Peer Group Work3. Democratic Classroom (but authoritative)4. Rationale of Rules & Procedures5. Scaffold - Discussions or Role Plays to promote new perspectives 6. Teach Feelings (Empathy) 7. Modeling morality