William Kay – författare

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.

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.

Although the work of Piaget dealt with the intellectual development of children, and that of Goldman with a child’s religious thought, there had hitherto been no comparable book on child morality to complete the developmental picture of the time. Originally published in 1968 William Kay’s book was designed to fill this gap, for he offers a complete description of the moral growth of children from infancy to adolescence.

Dr Kay was writing specifically for students and practising teachers and carefully avoids specialist jargon where ordinary terms suffice. He concludes that the findings of research into attitude formation and change could provide teachers with those techniques to help their pupils become morally mature members of society. His book contains a valuable analysis of the development of ideas concerning moral growth, and is a bold contribution to the problems of moral education.

Although the work of Piaget dealt with the intellectual development of children, and that of Goldman with a child’s religious thought, there had hitherto been no comparable book on child morality to complete the developmental picture of the time. Originally published in 1968 William Kay’s book was designed to fill this gap, for he offers a complete description of the moral growth of children from infancy to adolescence.

Dr Kay was writing specifically for students and practising teachers and carefully avoids specialist jargon where ordinary terms suffice. He concludes that the findings of research into attitude formation and change could provide teachers with those techniques to help their pupils become morally mature members of society. His book contains a valuable analysis of the development of ideas concerning moral growth, and is a bold contribution to the problems of moral education.