“I Wanna at Least Give Back so They Could Have an Idea of Doing Right”: A Culturally Relevant Approach to Understanding Black Adolescent Males’ Moral Development

Abstract

Given the connections between moral development and positive youth development, this qualitative study explored Black adolescent males’ moral development through the application of Snarey and Siddle Walker’s African-American Model of Ethics. Framed by PVEST, results revealed participants’ notions of justice and care intersected with their racialized-gendered identities, highlighting the need for a culturally relevant approach to Black Americans’ moral development. In addition, findings highlighted the ways Black adolescent males’ development of moral principles aligned with a culturally relevant moral development model. These findings have important implications for researchers and practitioners focused on Black adolescent males.