Factors Influencing Chinese Adolescent Moral Behaviors

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to discuss the moral development of adolescents and the influence of peers on their moral behavior. Good peer relationships promote social development and acquisition of social skills; poor peer relationships may lead to maladaptive behavioral problems. moreover, other factors influenced the relationship between peers and adolescent moral behavior, including gender differences, peer closeness, and the influence of family economic status. Specifically, adolescents are more influenced by close friends than by friends in general; boys may be more involved in physical and verbal aggression and girls more involved in relational aggression; family socioeconomic status significantly affects adolescents' peer relationships, with more affluent families having more friends and peer relationships; while disadvantaged family socioeconomic backgrounds make adolescents more likely to experience peer rejection or be marginalized. Due to regional and cultural differences, adolescents in different environments and cultures may be influenced differently, which needs to be further explored in future research. This paper will help parents and schools to understand the psychological and behavioral characteristics of adolescents, and to assist and teach adolescents' education and healthy growth.