Mythology serves as the bridge between the beliefs of divine beings and natural phenomena as well as provides meaningful lessons that can be passed down generations. Throughout one’s upbringing, one of the primary aspects is to develop morals and beliefs through personal and life lessons. In Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of the 6 stages of moral development, the second stage (individualism), states that children recognize norms and either conform or deviate. With mythology teaching lessons through folklore and stories, children can recognize what actions are morally and ethically correct in their judgement. It provides an imaginative way of developing morality that can allow them to create their own set of notions that comply with the dynamic of their group. For example, when Narcissus became overindulged in his own beauty, children can realize that being too selfish makes them seem shallow and mean, whereas…show more content… In essence, the abstractness of meanings behind myths can present a less concrete message to learn and more of an interpreted understanding to help develop morality. This means that when individuals are cultivating their own set of morals and beliefs, the interpreted connotations of myths can be more genuine and unique to the person rather than an explicit idea that one may not sincerely agree with. The presence of myths can also help give explanations to provide support to social norms. The significance and purpose of mythology can help develop personality and identity by discovering role models and future goals to build a persona of someone who one would strive to be. By being an open concept and having flexible ideals, maturity and the progression of characteristics to strive for can be selectively chosen so that integrity remains in one’s personality when actions are carried
