The premise of this book is that individuals and societies have an inexorable urge to morally develop by challenging the assumptions of the previous generation in terms of what is right and wrong. The focus is on the nature and functional value of conflicts and challenges to the dominant moral and social values framework.

Contents: Preface. Part I: Resistance and Conflict at a Societal Level in Relation to Socialization and Educational Practice. E. Turiel, Resistance and Subversion in Everyday Life. D. Baumrind, Taking a Stand in a Morally Pluralistic Society: Constructive Obedience and Responsible Dissent in Moral/Character Education. Part II: Resistence, Conflict, and Contrarianism in Youth: Implications for Education and Parenting. W. Ayers, Who in the World Am I?: Reflecting on the Heart of Teaching. J.G. Smetana, Adolescent-Parent Conflict: Resistance and Subversion as Developmental Process. C. Lightfoot, Risk-Taking, Carnival, and the Novelistic Self: Adolescents' Avenues to Moral Being and Integrity. S.S. Horn, Adolescents' Peer Interactions: Conflict and Coordination Among Personal Expression, Social Norms, and Moral Reasoning. F.K. Oser, Negative Morality and the Goals of Moral Education. Part III: Moral Education When Social Injustice and Youth Resistance Converge to Produce Negative Outcomes. W. Edelstein, The Rise of Right-Wing Extremist Youth Culture in Postunification Germany. W.H. Watkins, Race and Morality: Shaping the Myth. R.J. Jagers, Moral Competence Promotion Among African American Children: Conceptual Underpinnings and Programmatic Efforts.