Ria Adelina, Muaz Tanjung

The Dynamics of Character Building in Adolescents Through Spiritual Strengthening: A Comparative Study in Two Orphanages

Introduction

The dynamics of character building in adolescents through spiritual strengthening: a comparative study in two orphanages. This study compares adolescent character building through spiritual strengthening in two Medan orphanages. It analyzes methods, outcomes, and factors, offering insights for moral development strategies.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and compare the dynamics of moral development for adolescents through a spiritual approach at the Al-Wasliyah Orphanage and the Muhammadiyah Orphanage in Medan City. The study focuses on the approach, methods, results of coaching, and supporting and hindering factors faced by each orphanage. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach and comparative analysis of data from interviews and observations. Data were collected through interviews and observations of eight informants, consisting of the orphanage head and resident adolescents. The findings reveal that Al-Wasliyah emphasizes habituation and moral modeling through the emotional relationship between caregivers and children, hile Muhammadiyah adopts a more structured, institutional approach involving collective evaluation. This difference creates dynamics in the indicators of moral success: Al-Wasliyah assesses through worship practices and personal attitudes, while Muhammadiyah does so through staff participation and reports The study emphasizes the need to integrate affective and structural strategies in adolescent moral development. Practically, this research offers insights for orphanage managers to design reflective.

Review

This study addresses a crucial area concerning the moral development and character building of adolescents, particularly within the often-overlooked context of orphanages. The comparative analysis of two distinct institutions, Al-Wasliyah and Muhammadiyah Orphanages in Medan City, through the lens of spiritual strengthening, provides valuable insights into diverse approaches to fostering character. The research clearly articulates its aim to dissect the methods, outcomes, and contextual factors influencing moral development, thereby contributing to our understanding of effective intervention strategies for vulnerable youth populations. The focus on spiritual approaches adds a unique and relevant dimension to the discourse on adolescent character formation. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative approach utilizing interviews and observations, which is appropriate for exploring the 'dynamics' and nuanced aspects of character building as stated in the title. The abstract effectively highlights the key differences in organizational approaches—Al-Wasliyah's emphasis on emotional relationships and moral modeling versus Muhammadiyah's structured, institutional framework. This distinction in methods leading to differing indicators of moral success (worship practices/personal attitudes vs. staff participation/reports) is a clear and insightful finding. However, the reported sample size of eight informants (consisting of the orphanage head and resident adolescents) for a comparative qualitative study across two institutions raises questions regarding the depth and breadth of the data collected from each orphanage and whether this is sufficient to capture the 'dynamics' comprehensively. Despite potential concerns regarding the sample size, the study’s core contribution lies in its practical implications. The identified need to integrate both affective and structural strategies for adolescent moral development is a significant takeaway, offering actionable insights for orphanage managers seeking to refine their programs. This comparative analysis serves as a valuable tool, encouraging institutions to consider how a blend of relational and structured interventions might optimize character building outcomes. Future research could expand upon these findings by incorporating a larger, more diverse sample of adolescents, utilizing longitudinal designs to track long-term impacts, and perhaps triangulating data with additional forms of assessment to provide a richer, more robust understanding of the identified dynamics.

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