A Cross Cultural Analysis of Women's Perceptions of Morality: Women's Voices in Costa Rica and the United States

This study is a cross-cultural comparative analysis of women?s perceptions of morality through their concepts of self and responsibility. Questions elicited from Carol Gilligan?s book, A Different Voice, were used as the instrument for evaluating two samples of women: Costa Rica and Iowa. A considerable amount of research done over the effect of culture on women?s perceptions of morality and self provide controversial findings with respect to the women?s orientation towards justice or care. After administering six questions to eighty women in two different cultures, the results suggested that both groups of women elicited the ?care? perspective in their responses, consistent with Gilligan?s findings. The effects of educational attainment and culture did seem to influence the women?s responses, but yet did not obstruct the care ?voice.?