Kohlberg stated that people’s moral reasoning develops in stages. In My Girl the protagonist’s moral development is seen through her actions. Vada would be classified in the “Preconventional Morality” level, stage five “Individualism and Exchange” which is marked by the idea of being good so as to attain rewards and to avoid punishments. If the reward is greater then the risk, the actions are justified. Rather than seeing herself as part of society and wanting to contribute to it, Vada is focused on her individuality and how society can give her what she wants. Her “complex set of values with different priorities” (Kjellstrom, Sjolander, Almers, & McCall, 2017, p. 150) are seen throughout the film. First, Vada steals money from Shelly’s cookie jar in order to pay for Mr.
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This is because “attitudes towards in- and out-group members are formed via moral rules” (Sozinova, Sozinov, Laukka, & Alexandrov, 2017, p. 61) and Vada’s moral reasoning is stating that Shelly does not hold the same standard as her father. In Vada’s mind hurting Shelly is not immoral because her moral code does not take outsiders into consideration. Fourth, after getting her aggression out Vada decides to run away from her problems. She feels left out of the new family so she goes in search of a new environment. Thomas J goes with her for a while then he returns home because he does not want his parent to worry about him, and he complains about being hungry. All Vada thinks is that she does not want to deal with her new situation; therefore she is allowed to leave so she can avoid it. The children’s priorities are influences by their moral reasoning. Thomas J knows he has a good home and family so he does not want to jeopardize his good standing in the family. Vada thinks that her life was perfect the way it was and does not want any change to
This is because “attitudes towards in- and out-group members are formed via moral rules” (Sozinova, Sozinov, Laukka, & Alexandrov, 2017, p. 61) and Vada’s moral reasoning is stating that Shelly does not hold the same standard as her father. In Vada’s mind hurting Shelly is not immoral because her moral code does not take outsiders into consideration. Fourth, after getting her aggression out Vada decides to run away from her problems. She feels left out of the new family so she goes in search of a new environment. Thomas J goes with her for a while then he returns home because he does not want his parent to worry about him, and he complains about being hungry. All Vada thinks is that she does not want to deal with her new situation; therefore she is allowed to leave so she can avoid it. The children’s priorities are influences by their moral reasoning. Thomas J knows he has a good home and family so he does not want to jeopardize his good standing in the family. Vada thinks that her life was perfect the way it was and does not want any change to