MORAL DEVELOPMENT- A CATALYST FOR THE FORMATION OF GOOD CHARACTER AMONG CHILDREN AND THE YOUTH

Abstract Moral development among children and the youths has been perceived as an integral part of the Nigerian educational system. It is, indeed, very essential for the healthy existence of human society. The inculcation of sound moral values, such as honesty, obedience, fear of God, sexual control, fairness and respect for elders and constituted authorities among children and the youths is sinequanon in this regard since the children and youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Besides, since children and the youths are not fully mature and developed, they therefore constitute a very vital group upon which sound moral values can be built as to ensure the emergency of a just, healthy, harmonious and peaceful society. Hence Nigeria needs to get her children and youths morally prepared to enable them jettison all forms of social vices and criminalities which are inimical to the realization of a just and egalitarian society. This paper discuses the concept of moral development and morality. It also examines the various ways through which sound moral values could be developed in children and the youths. The paper goes further to capture the implications of moral development to the parents/guardians, teachers and the society, the salient factors that influence the development of good moral values in children and youths, the agents of moral development, factors that account for the obvious decline of sound moral values and traditional cultural values in our society as well as their apparent effects. Conclusively, the paper suggests that the teaching of religious and moral instruction and counseling services should be intensified in the school system as to help direct students along the right path. The paper calls on significant persons in the society to serve as good role models to the children and the youths and advocates the provision of meaningful and activity-oriented programmes to them. It further calls on parents to monitor the television programmes their children watch and finally advises all the caregivers to employ reinforcement to help the children and youths internalize sound moral values.