Keywords:
moral development
character education
adolescents
school climate
constructivist research
student agency

  • Abstract

    This qualitative study explores how adolescents develop moral character within Indian secondary schools. Using a constructivist-interpretivist approach, data were collected from 134 participants across six schools in Pune, Bengaluru, and Ranchi through interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis, informed by virtue ethics, capability theory, and sociological theory, identified four themes: belonging and relationships as foundations of moral growth; experiences with discipline and authority shaping integrity and agency; negotiation of cultural and digital influences; and growth through moral challenges and reflection. Findings highlight that “becoming through belonging” and student voice are central to character formation. Both traditional values (e.g., duty, respect) and modern ideals (e.g., equality, digital citizenship) influence adolescents’ moral development. The study recommends whole-school strategies like caring school climates and reflective, culturally responsive pedagogies to support character education in diverse, digital-age societies.

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Alam, A. (2025). Situated moral formation and adolescent character ontogenesis in Indian school ecologies: A multi-sited interpretivist inquiry. Humanities Journal, 3(2), 2026015. https://doi.org/10.31893/humanitj.2026015
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