Unveiling the Moral Reasoning of Junior High School Students

Abstract

This descriptive qualitative study examined the moral reasoning of public junior high school students in the Division of Digos City, Davao Region. Its purpose was to explore how students approach ethical dilemmas and perceive their role in moral decision-making, identifying key influences such as peers, family, school, and digital exposure on their moral development. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using a semi-structured interview guide. Four essential themes were extracted as regards the influences on moral reasoning: Family as the Primary Moral Architect, School as the Reinforcing Structure, Faith as a Spiritual Compass, and Peers as a Double-Edged Sword. Added on the role of moral reasoning in shaping decision making in day-to-day interactions, three essential themes emerged: Prosocial Application, Moral Resilience, and Navigating Moral Dilemmas. Three essential themes emerged as regards the insights of public junior high school students on moral reasoning: Moral Learning Through Experience, Internalizing Moral Judgment, and Moral Strength Emerging from Adversity. The findings further showed that moral understanding deepens through personal experience and consequence, evolving from external rules to an internalized compass. The results provide valuable insights for designing more effective, context-sensitive values education programs that bridge theoretical instruction with the real-world ethical challenges faced by adolescents.