In a Different Voice

Psychology is defined by Merriam-Webster, as the science of mind and behavior. It is a study of how an individual’s psyche can be created, developed, altered or destroyed. Carol Gilligan, a Harvard Graduate School professor, for many years has analyzed the psychological theory and development, specifically in a book entitled In A Different Voice.

Through years of history women have been subjugated. They are seen as vehicles for reproduction and sexual objects. Yet this is a mentality that is directly related with moral theory. Since this is for the most part a male dominated society, women’s views are often seen as less developed and sophisticated. Carol Gilligan identified that this can be described in certain “morality approaches”. The male approach to morality is that individuals have certain basic rights, and that one has to respect the rights of others. The female approach to morality is that people have responsibilities towards others. Her studies portray that men illustrate a “dog eat dog” state of mind; by any means necessary they will acquire all that they can for their own personal gain. It also shows that women realize that people are here to assist one another. Gilligan outlined three stages of moral development; first being the pre-conventional (or selfish) stage, in which a person starts with the attitude that everything must benefit that individual only. Second is conventional morality, where the understanding emerges that it is wrong to act only in one’s own interests, and that one should value the interests of others. Lastly, is post-conventional morality which is a combination of the previous two stages, grasping the principle that it is wrong to deny one’s interests as well as the interests of others. Understanding can only occur through connections with other people, a main reason why communication is essential to a relationship’s longevity. Gilligan stated that females are able to make this three-stage transition effortlessly while males have a difficult time advancing past the first stage.

Carol Gilligan believes that there are vast differences between genders. Males are individuals who want to see justice be converted into instant gratification. They can be described by the following terms: logical, right and wrong, rule-based, less caring, present focused, strict rules, black and white, independent, rigid or commanding. Females are individuals who see caring for other people as important. They can be depicted by the following terms: reasonable, emotional, compassionate, more caring, rationalizing, future focused, shades of gray, dependent, people oriented, or having difficulty in decision-making. These terms, of course, do not express the characteristics of every man or woman.

I feel that a child’s development can explain most of these adult personalities. How a child is influenced at a young age has a direct correlation to their behavior later in life. Male children are given G.I. Joe action figures as toys while female children are given Barbie dolls. When you view the male children’s action figure, it more often than not has a bodybuilder’s physique and is equipped with some sort of weapon, introducing the principle to young males that problems can be solved through violence. Viewing the female children’s dolls, one would see the runway model’s physique with the feet set in a high heel position. This may be a suggestion to young girls that the only way to be accepted in society is to have a figure like this doll, which is false. Children need not be subliminally influenced to become these characters. Children should have healthy support to become their own persons. Parenting in general can also play a massive role in children’s development. The methods used are not the problem; it is the person(s) using them. As clichй as it might seem, when you’re a child, “monkey see, monkey do”. Children who are physically abused or observe physical abuse in the home are more likely to become physically abusive. Children who observe drug and alcohol abuse are more likely to become abusers of those substances. Children