Moral Education: A Sociological Study of the Influence of Society, Home and School

by William Kay

Overview

In the early 1970s few subjects in schools had grown faster than moral education, and more and more teachers were seeking guidance in a changing and developing field where a training in the ‘traditional’ subjects could not always provide sufficient help. Originally published in 1975, Dr Kay maintained that a study of the sociological factors involved could give considerable insight into the meaning and purpose of moral education, and in this book he examines the effect on the individual pupil of the home, the school and differing socio-economic class structures and ideologies.

Using standard sociological analyses Dr Kay discloses some of the determinants of individual morality as they affect children in their homes and schools. He concludes that the alleged moral superiority of the middle-classes merely stresses the fact that the benefits which are currently enjoyed by this minority should become the privilege of all. The analysis of home and school leads him to the view that a democratic milieu is the environment most likely to promote moral growth. And his study of school systems concludes with the view that privileged elitism should be replaced by an ‘aristocracy of service’, with full pupil-participation in every aspect of school life. Today it can be read in its historical context.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781041066248
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/05/2025
Series:	Routledge Library Editions: Home and School
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Author’s Preface.  1. Introduction and Overview  Part I: Social-Class Determinants of Morality  2. Morality and Social Class  3. The Preconditions of Morality  4. Social-class Variations in Primary Moral Traits  5. Moral Judgement: Social-class Differences  6. Gratification and Orientation  7. Moral Personalism  8. Moral Flexibility  9. Moral Dynamism and Creativity  10. Moral Embourgeoisement  Part II: The Moral Influence of the School  11. The Contribution of the School  12. The School as a Social System  13. Some Models of School Organization  14. School Organizations and Ideologies  15. The Comprehensive Solution  16. Democratic Schools and Socialization  17. Teacher–Pupil Interaction  18. Some Problems Relating to Moral Education  Part III: Conclusion  19. The Task of Moral Education.  Author Index.  Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

Review for the original edition:

‘Will evidently be a recommended text for future teachers’. – Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher