2. Goodness as Self-Sacrifice (Conventional Morality).
Instead of Level 1 selfishness, conventional feminine morality is selfless. Women with this view defined their moral worth on the basis of their ability to care about others, They searched for solutions whereby no one would get hurt, but realized that they often faced the impossible task of choosing the victim-usually themselves. They felt a responsibility to give others what each of them needed or wanted, especially when these others were conceivably defenseless or dependent. They therefore made a decision to get an abortion or have the child on the basis of the choices or advice of others. They felt compelled to respond to the vocal appeals of people around them. Twenty-five-year-old Denise wanted to have the baby, but her married lover convinced her the consequences would be disastrous for him and his wife. Gilligan’s Level 2 ethic of care would give Denise credit for her belated sense of responsibility. She was now willing to put others first. Had she been at this stage earlier, she might not have had the affair.
The woman who thinks she is responsible for pleasing others may begin to feel manipulated. Denise started to question the worth of a relationship that required passive acquiescence-"just going along with the tide." She also began to doubt her own moral worth for blaming the man for the abortion decision rather than having the strength of her own convictions. Here again, changing self-image can stimulate a transition to more mature ethical thinking.