“In a different voice”: Gender Differences in Moral Orientation

Abstract

The studies on Kohlbergian moral judgment were criticized by Gilligan (1977), who hypothesized two different models of moral judgment: justice, specifically to male, and care, specifically to female. This moral orientation could be related to modes of self-definition. Almost forty years later, this paper will review Gilligan's theory assuming that care-based morality and justice-based morality coexist in both males and females.

Additionally, the current study examined the relationship between self-concept and moral orientation in emerging adults. A sample of 100 undergraduates completed a self-administered questionnaire, which refers to three areas: self-description questions, personal moral conflict, hypothetical moral dilemma questions and moral questions.
Results indicated that moral reasoning is not moderated by gender. Moreover, both males and females are endowed with aspects of care and responsibility, as well as those of and justice. Finally, emerging adults attribute moral reasoning and moral behavior to the two different moral levels.