Final answer:
Young children typically obey their parents due to a fear of punishment, which aligns with the preconventional level of Kohlberg's theory of moral development. As they mature and reach the conventional level, societal norms influence their morality. In the postconventional level, individuals think abstractly about moral principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, young children who obey their parents do so because of their fear of punishment. This answer corresponds to the preconventional level of moral development, where morality is largely driven by external consequences rather than internal moral principles. At this stage, children's decisions are based on avoiding punishment and seeking rewards, rather than an innate sense of justice, moral principles, or peer pressure.
In the conventional level of Kohlberg's theory, which develops during the teen years, individuals begin to consider what society views as moral and immoral, and their decisions are influenced by societal norms and the desire to maintain social order.
Finally, the postconventional level involves abstract thinking about moral principles, where individuals recognize that legality and morality do not always align, illustrated by adults taking a stand for what is right even against legal structures, as seen in historical events like the protests during the Arab Spring.