IS MORALITY GENDERED IN EARLY PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS - A COMMENTARY ON THE LOLLIS, ROSS, AND LEROUX STUDY

Lollis, Ross, and Leroux's study of parental socialization of children 's moral orientations (Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, October 1996) examine d two pivotal claims posited by Gilligan: (a) moral orientations of ca re and justice are gender related, and (b) these orientations originat e in early parent-child relationships. The contribution of their study is evaluated and possible directions are noted for further research. As well, the conceptual features of Gilligan's model are examined and ambiguities in its description of development and the processes underl ying it are discussed, as well as the political dangers in gender pola rity for morality.