A Cross-Cultural Examination of the Moral Development of Children

The cultures of different ethnic groups in various countries play a large part in influencing the moral development of the children of the respective societies. Culture in itself possesses a moral dimension because it provides every ethnic group with a "set of values, [a] network of beliefs that are institutionalized in a people's collective life and that govern their behavior. Culture, then, is the outward discipline in which inherited meanings and morality, beliefs and ways of behaving are preserved" (Mack, 1997, p. 167). Therefore, cultural institutions and traditions serve the purpose of defining taboos and laws that should be respected by every member of the society for the common good of the society. The moral development is an integral aspect of the cultural transmission of these values from generation to generation (Myers, 2000).

During their early years, children are particularly receptive to learning values that are an integral part of their ethnic community from their primary caretakers. Through their relationships with their families and neighbors, the children begin to acquire a sense of belonging with the rest of society (Chang, 1999m p. 142). Thus, parents and other caretakers play a powerful role in determining the moral development of their children. Furthermore, the values and practices they transmit to their children are derive

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igrants of different cultures. The ultimate impact the immigrants will have on America's culture has yet to be completely assessed. The intersection of the different cultural worlds will be discussed in greater detail in another section. Asian Culture Unlike American culture that adheres to the model of independence, Asian culture values interdependence. Asian parents want to raise children who are able to control their individual desires and function appropriately within the prescribed roles of their family and community. Therefore, they teach their children how to control their emotions and interact with others appropriately. The children need to learn to be considerate to others and cooperate in all activities in order to conform to the rules of the rest of society (McCollum & McBride, 1997). Therefore in Asian society, the community has the right to interfere with the realm of the individuals because the collective and the individual are inextricably intertwined with one another (Chung & Mallery, 1999, p. 340). Order and unity is one of the key cultural attributes of Asian countries such as Japan. In this rigid and controlled society, children are taught that they should conform to the rest of society and share the same
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Approximate Word count = 5664
Approximate Pages = 23 (250 words per page)