Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies,

Online ISSN 2278-8808, SJIF 2018 = 6.371, www.srjis.com

PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL, JAN-FEB, 2019, VOL- 6/49

A STUDY OF THE VALUE ORIENTED BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS BASED

ON THEIR GENDER

Tina Roy1 & Karuna Gupta2, Ph.D.

1
Ph.D. Scholar
2
Principal, Gurunanak College of Education, Bhandup (W), Mumbai

Abstract

The paper uses the premise of Difference in the Kohlberg and Giligan’s Theories on Moral
Development in male and females that states that male and female are differs when it comes to
perceiving a situation and reacting to it. Kohlberg’s theory proposes that the changes in moral
development occurring at various stages are mainly due to critical thinking in both male and that
post-conventional stage is not attained by females. Whereas, Gilligan’s theory contests that no post-
conventional level of moral thinking can be dealt based on the two types of thinking. She also said
that Kohlberg’s theory is only limited few moral values and does not consider the other values that
are equally important in development of an individual’s character and personality. This paper
examines the gender differences in the fundamental value orientations of adolescent students from
class Eight. It focuses on the values such as Peace, Compassion, Truth, Patience and Perseverance
thathave remained as constants in the human condition throughout the centuries.Since the cognitive
and other developments required to understand and practice these values develop post middle
childhood adolescents were chosen as sample for this study. A Descriptive Survey method was used to
collect data from 193 students from class eight of English medium State Board schools across
Mumbai. The tool used was a situational analysis survey scale on their Value Oriented Behavior. The
Descriptive Analysis of the data was conducted using - Mean, SD, Skewness and Kurtosis. The
Inferential Analysis was carried outwith ‘t’ test.Through the study it was found that there is a
significant difference in the value oriented behavior of adolescents on the basis of their gender.
Key words: Adolescents, Values, Value Orientation, Gender difference

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Introduction
Values are said to be the pillars of any civilized society. Without them the society and all its
societal structures will crumble and fall apart leading to the breakdown of the civilization and
the society. A perfect scenario in which chaos and evil prospers. In a multicultural and
diverse country like India with its rich culture and heritage, it becomes even more pertinent to
have a society that is aligned to the values that are inherent in our culture and enshrined in

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our constitution. In ancient India the elements of character training were reflected in the
overall programme of courses of studies under the Guru. The trend continues to reflect in the
modern education system as evident in the values enshrined in our constitution. The National
Policy of Education of 1986 and Programme of Action of 1992 by the Government of India
has laid considerable stress on the need of inculcation of values as enshrined in the
constitution of India, through our school curriculum and has made value education a
compulsory part of our education. Around the world too, the concept of Values education’
and its vital role in ensuring the wholesome development of a child and shaping his character
is widely acknowledged. Schools too try to do their part by providing children with value
based environment and giving opportunities to practice these values through their conduct in
the school. Though being a part of the same environment it is often noted that boys behave
very differently than girls. More often than not it is boys who get into trouble and face
disciplinary actions. Not just in school but also at home we can hear parents saying how
different their kids belonging to different sexes behave. Recent studies have shown that there
are some differences between the way the brains of boys and girls are wired, thereby making
them behave differently under a similar situations (Ellis John 2015). Since our behavior is
nothing but a reflection of our belief system and values, Researcher was keen to understand
the underlying values of the adolescents that motivate and drive their behavior.
Rationale of the study
Professor Jean Piaget’s study on evolution of thinking pattern of individual human beings and
its influence on moral development of the person is an interesting subject of psychology.
Highly appreciative of Piaget’s view, Lawrence Kohlberg in 1960 constituted a six stage
model to demonstrate how individual’s morality develops through the stages. Kohlberg’s
study of moral evolution was based on rationality and justice. However Kohlberg’s model is
male centric, and does not give complete picture of the process of moral development of
human beings. Gilligan challenged this and constituted separate model of women and
formulated her own theory of moral development, based on the basic tenet that, female
psychology, values, and even moral structure differ from that of males. She claims that
women are inherently inclined towards care and responsibility to others (Watt Kayla
&Rindon Monica 2014). The researcher was keen to know if this can be used to explain the
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differences that we see in the way the boys and girls behave. Since, values are the key factor
that underlies preferences and choice behavior (cf. Henshel 1971; Homer and Kahle 1988;
Rokeach 1973; Rosenberg 1956; Wickert 1940, cited in Jones, 2002, p. 135)the Researcher
wanted to understand the value orientation of these children through their behavior as
exhibited in the schools and find out if they really differ or no.
Objectives:
 To develop a Value Orientation Behavioral scale
 To compare scores of male and female adolescents on the Value Orientation
Behavioral scale.
Hypothesis:
H1. There is no significant difference in the value oriented behavior of adolescents on the
basis of their gender.
Research question:
R1. Is there any difference in the value oriented behavior of adolescents on the basis of their
gender?
Definitions of the terms:
Adolescents
In the present study the students of std. VIII, who are in the age group of 12 + years and are
experiencing the onset of adolescence, are considered as the adolescents
Values
In the present study the values refers to some of the basic moral and social values expected in
adolescents, such as Compassion, Truthful, Patience, Responsible, Equality, Perseverance,
Environmental Consciousness.
Value oriented behavior
In the present study it refers to the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially
towards others, based on the value system inherent in him.
Gender Difference
In the present study it refers to the difference in the value oriented behaviour of male and
female adolescents based on their gender.
Methodology
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Research Method
Descriptive method was used in the present study. This method of research describes
situations. It does not make accurate predictions neither does it determine cause and effect.
Out of the three main types of descriptive methods: observational methods, case-study
methods and survey methods, the present study was conducted using Survey Method.
Sample and Data Collection
In the present study simple random probability sampling technique was used. 193 students
from standard VIII of English medium schools of Maharashtra State Board, falling under
Mumbai city administrative Zone 6 consisting Wards S (Bhandup) and T (Mulund), were
chosen as representative sample for the study. Out of 193 students, 89 were females and
104were male students.
Tools
A situational analysis survey scale ‘Value Orientation Behaviour Scale’ was prepared by the
researcher based on some chosen values like Compassion, Truthful, Patience, Responsibility,
Equality, Perseverance and Environmental Consciousness. Tool comprised of twenty-one
items with three items under each category.
Each item had four choices out of which one correct response was expected and accordingly
scored 1. The wrong answer was scored zero. Minimum to maximum score range was from 0
to 30.
Technique of Data Analysis
The following Descriptive and Inferential statistical techniques were used for data analysis
1. Descriptive Analysis - Mean, SD, Skewness and Kurtosis.
2. Inferential analysis - with ‘t’ test
Statistical Analysis
Testing of Hypothesis
The null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference in the value oriented behavior
of adolescents on the basis of their gender.
The statistical technique used to test this hypothesis was ‘t’ test.
The following Table shows the numerical data and significance level for computing
difference in the value oriented behavior of adolescents on the basis of their gender.
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Gender N Mean S.D. ‘t’ value l.o.s.

Male 89 14.98 3.58 4.26 0.01
Female 104 12.70 3.90

Interpretation of ‘t’
From Table D; For Df = 192
Tabulated ‘t’ at 0.05 level = 1.962 At 0.01 level = 2.581
The obtained ‘t’ is 4.26, which is greater than 2.581 i.e. the calculated ‘t’ is greater than the
tabulated ‘t’ at 0.01 level. Hence the null hypothesis is rejected at 0.01 level.
Conclusion:
There is a significant difference in the value oriented behavior of adolescents on the basis of
their gender
Findings and of the Study
Through the study it was found that there is a significant difference in the value oriented
behavior of adolescents on the basis of their gender. It was found that the females in the
sample are more likely then male to express concern, care and display a sense of
responsibility for the well-being of others and also in general. It was also found that males are
prone to reckless behavior and had less regard for others around them. Girls preferred to be
more patient and sought peaceful ways to resolve a conflict whereas boys were more tend to
exhibit machoism and ended up choosing the confrontation to resolve any issues. However
both male and females had similar views about perseverance and chose to persevere than
giving up easily when faced with difficulties and challenges. However, both chose almost
similar positive replies on Truthfulness. Environmental consciousness value too saw girl
scoring more as compared to boys, displaying responsible behaviourtowards environment
preservation, protection and sustenance. The value of equality drew almost similar responses
from both boys and girl.
Discussion and Suggestions:
Issues of fundamental sex differences in genetics, hormones, brain structure and its effect on
various aspects human functions and behaviour have been extensively explored by
psychologists over years by both empirical and non-empirical methods. Numerous studies
and articles have been published with many concluding there is no significant difference in

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the way the sexes make moral decisions. However we also find equal numbers if not more
studies contending the significance of cultural conceptions of masculinity and femininity to
moral and social psychology. Meta-analysis on gender differences of value orientation have
found that women tend towards a more care based morality while men tend towards a more
justice based morality (Jaffee, Sara; Hyde, Janet Shibley (2000). This is usually based on the
fact that men have a more slight utilitarian reasoning while women have more deontological
reasoning which is largely because of greater female affective response and rejection of
harm-based behaviours (Friesdorf, R.; Conway, P.; Gawronski, B. (2015). A meta-analysis
published in the 2013 journal of Ethics and Behaviour after reviewing 19 primary studies also
found women have greater moral sensitivity than men (You, Di; Maeda, Yukiko; Bebeau,
Muriel J. (2011). Women have also been found to be more punishment sensitive and men
higher in sensation seeking and behavioural risk-taking (Cross, Catharine P.; Copping, Lee
T.; Campbell, Anne. 2011).
The findings of the present study completely corroborates with the Gilligan’s theory is based
on the two main ideas, the care-based morality - usually found in women and the justice-
based morality - usually found in men (Engineering ethics –Gilligan’s Theory) and also with
above studies that gender difference definitely has an impact on the value oriented behaviour
of male and females. It was found that Male and female adolescents differed in their choices
quite significantly on many values however the researcher also noted a considerable overlap
between male and female responses over some of the values like equality, truth and
perseverance.
The difference in the value oriented behaviour possibly can be due to a complex interplay of
biological, developmental, and cultural factors. However the significantly higher scores of
girls in the study sure makes the researcher think about the way the children are being bought
up at homes and also the teachers’ perception and attitude towards the different sexes in the
classrooms. Are we still bringing up our children based on stereotypical gender assigned
roles? Do parents subconsciously indulge in gender-typed expectations regarding personality
traits, abilities, activities and roles? Also as a society, are we collectively still enforcing the
set ideas about how children are supposed to behave based on their gender? These questions
need to be seriously pondered on by all the stake holders in our children’s’ lives. As parents
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we might have to be more mindful about bringing up our children in a more gender neutral
environment. So must the other powerful sources of socialization in a child’s life, the school,
teachers and the policy makers must make conscious efforts to foster more gender neutral,
flexible gender roles in children to help them develop a wholesome socioemotional and
psychological personality.
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