Role Of Morality In Children

One of the noteworthy factors that should be focused upon in order to gain insight into why people commit injustice to others or engage in pro social behaviour is “Morality”. Morality is internalised by children at a very early age and one of the factors that facilitate the internalization of moral standards is the socialization techniques utilised by their parents.
Socialization is the process through which individuals acquire skills needed to function within their social group through the assistance of others, most notably their parents (Grusec, 2002). Through socialization, the individual internalizes societal norms signs and values.One of the key focus areas of socialization practices employed by parents are the internalization of morality

Parents inculcate moral values in children according to their belief systems, the religion they practice and their own lifestyle. Morals by nature teach you what is socially right and wrong which therefore becomes the parameter or logic by which human beings operate in society. Cultures that have been just, equal and moral have been widely accepted and appreciated. Such social set-ups promote healthy upbringing. An essence of this healthy upbringing is inculcation of moral values from parents, teachers, role models, peers and the wider

Thus, within this cultural framework, people conceive their moral identity in a different way than their western counterparts. An Indian experiences his/her moral self in relation to others through appropriate execution of duty, which is always in correspondence to one’s station and roles in life. Any decision that prioritises self goals over execution of duties is considered morally and ethically incorrect and is socially criticised. For instance, in regard to marriage in Indian families, a spousal relation is conceptualised within the framework of identity and complementarity rather than equality (Misra & Gregen,2002).Thus, the non fulfilment of duties ( kartavya or dharma in maritial relationship) has moral implications on the self. Any achievement of self goals can be considered morally justified only if corresponding duties are taken care of. Thus, children growing up in the Indian context ought to experience a different developmental trajectory of moral identity as compared to children residing elsewhere. Therefore, in the proposed study we intend to study the moral identity development of children in the Indian