Changes in moral belief among sixth-form boys and girls over a seven-year period in relation to religious belief, age and sex difference.

Abstract

The results of replicating in 1970 a survey first conducted in 1963 show that there have been highly significant changes in the moral beliefs of sixth‐form boys and girls in maintained grammar schools in England. The changes are greatest for sexual behaviour but extend to such issues as colour bar and gambling. In general, the change is away from the uncompromising condemnation of behaviour towards a more qualified, permissive or undecided position. Though moral and religious beliefs are strongly associated in both surveys, the results show that changes in moral belief are very largely independent of religious commitment. They were also found to be unrelated to age in this sample, though there were clear signs that girls had changed more than boys.