Which statement presents a view that challenges Gilligan's conclusions?

Which statement presents a view that challenges Gilligan's conclusions?

• A. Gilligan's theory is entirely wrong
• B. The differences are explained by attachment relations
• C. Girls remain attached to mothers and do not focus on fairness
• D. Research suggests that moral reasoning is not as neatly differentiated along gender lines as Gilligan finds

Answer: (D)

The key idea being tested is whether evidence actually supports a clear, gender-based difference in moral reasoning as Gilligan proposed. Gilligan argued that women tend to reason from a care perspective while men tend to reason from a justice perspective, implying a neat divide by gender. The best choice challenges this by pointing to research that moral reasoning isn’t neatly separated along gender lines; there’s substantial overlap and the differences that do appear can depend on context, framing, and culture. In other words, the evidence suggests that gender is not a reliable predictor of whether someone uses care or justice reasoning, which directly questions Gilligan’s broad conclusion. Other statements don't hit that challenge as directly. Saying Gilligan’s theory is entirely wrong is an absolute claim not supported by the nuanced research that often finds partial or context-dependent differences. Attributing differences to attachment relations offers an alternative mechanism rather than directly disputing the existence of gender-differentiated reasoning. Describing girls as remaining attached to mothers and not focusing on fairness reinforces a gendered pattern rather than challenging the general claim of a difference.

The key idea being tested is whether evidence actually supports a clear, gender-based difference in moral reasoning as Gilligan proposed. Gilligan argued that women tend to reason from a care perspective while men tend to reason from a justice perspective, implying a neat divide by gender. The best choice challenges this by pointing to research that moral reasoning isn’t neatly separated along gender lines; there’s substantial overlap and the differences that do appear can depend on context, framing, and culture. In other words, the evidence suggests that gender is not a reliable predictor of whether someone uses care or justice reasoning, which directly questions Gilligan’s broad conclusion.

Other statements don't hit that challenge as directly. Saying Gilligan’s theory is entirely wrong is an absolute claim not supported by the nuanced research that often finds partial or context-dependent differences. Attributing differences to attachment relations offers an alternative mechanism rather than directly disputing the existence of gender-differentiated reasoning. Describing girls as remaining attached to mothers and not focusing on fairness reinforces a gendered pattern rather than challenging the general claim of a difference.