the class”. This developmental shift leads to establishing one’s differences from others as an individual. Once the children enter school their social world expands beyond their families. They also spend greater amount of time with their age mates or peers.
Thus the increased time that children spend with their peers shapes their development. actions are wrong because s/he is punished, and right because s/he is rewarded. As the child grows, i.e. by early adolescence, s/he develops moral reasoning through set of rules of others, such as parents or laws of the society.
These rules are accepted by the children as their own. These are “internalised” in order to be virtuous and to win approval from others (not to avoid punishment). Children view rules as absolute guidelines, which should be followed. Moral thinking at this stage is relatively inflexible.
As they grow, they gradually develop a personal moral code. You have seen that by the end of childhood a more gradual growth rate enables the child to develop skills of coordination and balance. Language develops and the child can reason logically. Socially the child has become more involved in social systems, such as family and peer group.
The next section traces changes in human development during adolescence and adulthood. A patient is critically ill, hospitalised for many years and shows no improvement. Should the life support system of the patient be withdrawn? What is your view on euthanasia or “mercy killing” as it is sometimes called?
Discuss with your teacher.