AGE, PERCEIVED PARENTING STYLES AND MORALITY

Abstract

Age plays an important role in influencing the development of morality. This study investigated the differences in moral development between individuals from various age groups. The relationship between age and perceived parenting style was also examined. Subjects from three separate age groups were administered a questionnaire measured their level of moral reasoning and tapped their perceptions of parenting styles. Compared to participants from younger age groups, the older subjects were more advanced in moral reasoning ability. The results showed the youngest individuals to perceive parenting style as authoritarian and the oldest individuals to perceive parenting style as indulgent. There was no relationship found between perceived parenting styles and moral development.