Separation & U.S. Society

Carol Gilligan in In A Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development and Martin Luther King, Jr. in Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? explore the issue of separation or isolation and its impact on American society. This study will examine and compare these two authors' views on the morally problematic tendency of American individuals to separate from one another and from their communities, what contributes to that separation, and how it is to be overcome. This reader was most affected by King's book, primarily because of King's emphasis on the spiritual rather the psychological aspects of the problem and its possible solutions. However, the two books are not in conflict but are rather complementary in their authors' desire to heal the divisions in society and correct some of the misperceptions and misunderstandings that separated individuals and groups harbor about one another.

If we see the historical development of the moral and social consciousness of the community or nation as a continuum, then we can see the evidence of that development in the evolution of strategies and issues from King's 1967 book to Gilligan's 1982 book. There are clear differences between the two books and authors. King focuses on racial divisions while Gilligan focuses on gender separation. Both focus on individual and social morality and responsibility, but Gilligan uses a much more psychological approach than King, who focuses more on a spiritual approach. King addre

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tand blacks as the cause of separation in society, while Gilligan sees dominant males as the cause of separation being so highly valued. Gilligan argues that men need to understand the value of women's outlook on commitment, just as women need to appreciate more the male perspective on the value of individuality. King presents a similarly holistic solution in the racial realm: Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention. There is no other answer. Constructive social change will bring certain tranquillity; evasions will merely encourage turmoil. Negroes hold only one key to the double lock of peaceful change. The other is in the hands of the white community (King 22). The gender- and racial-based forms of separation analyzed by Gilligan and King finally revolve around moral responsibility. Blacks and women are responsible for continuing their struggle for equality, not mere toleration. But whites and males must also take responsibility and yield some of the power to which they cling out of fear they will lose their individual identity. Both King and Gilligan are asking a great deal from both "sides" in the gender and racial struggles. As we have seen, Gilligan asks for psychological awakening ou

Category: Psychology - S