Conflict, Contradiction, and Contrarian Elements in Moral Development and Education

The premise of this book is that individuals and societies have an inexorable urge to morally develop by challenging the assumptions of the previous generation in terms of what is right and wrong. The focus is on the nature and functional value of conflicts and challenges to the dominant moral and social values framework. Through this analysis, individuals develop moral character through conflict with their local authority figures, including parents. The moral structure of societies evolves through intergenerational challenges to and contradictions with the dominant social order. The book is divided into three parts to help frame this discussion:*Part I directly takes up the issue of resistance as it occurs at a cultural level, and the implications of such resistance for moral education and socialization.*Part II explores the normative forms of adolescent resistance and contrarian behavior that vex parents and teachers alike.*Part III brings back the issue of societal structure and culture to illustrate how negative features of society--such as racial discrimination and economic disparity--can feed into the construction of negative moral identity in youth posing challenges to moral education.Taken together, this collection presents a rich counterpoint to the pictures of moral growth as the progressive sophistication of moral reasoning or the gradual accretion of moral virtues and cultural values. It will benefit those in developmental, social, and cognitive psychology, as well as sociology, political science, and education.

Contents: Preface. Part I: Resistance and Conflict at a Societal Level in Relation to Socialization and Educational Practice. E. Turiel, Resistance and Subversion in Everyday Life. D. Baumrind, Taking a Stand in a Morally Pluralistic Society: Constructive Obedience and Responsible Dissent in Moral/Character Education. Part II: Resistence, Conflict, and Contrarianism in Youth: Implications for Education and Parenting. W. Ayers, Who in the World Am I?: Reflecting on the Heart of Teaching. J.G. Smetana, Adolescent-Parent Conflict: Resistance and Subversion as Developmental Process. C. Lightfoot, Risk-Taking, Carnival, and the Novelistic Self: Adolescents' Avenues to Moral Being and Integrity. S.S. Horn, Adolescents' Peer Interactions: Conflict and Coordination Among Personal Expression, Social Norms, and Moral Reasoning. F.K. Oser, Negative Morality and the Goals of Moral Education. Part III: Moral Education When Social Injustice and Youth Resistance Converge to Produce Negative Outcomes. W. Edelstein, The Rise of Right-Wing Extremist Youth Culture in Postunification Germany. W.H. Watkins, Race and Morality: Shaping the Myth. R.J. Jagers, Moral Competence Promotion Among African American Children: Conceptual Underpinnings and Programmatic Efforts.

Larry Nucci