This study describes the experiences of Taekwondo practitioners with regard to their internalization of and living the virtues of Taekwondo in daily life. Guided by social learning theory and ecological systems theory, this study added to the understanding of how of social learning promotes character development in one particular niche over time, and how virtues were transferred into other areas of life.

The participants for this study were 10 adult senior-ranking Taekwondo practitioners from five Taekwondo schools in Hawaii. As adults, they were assumed to articulate experiences more accurately and to have occupied more ecological niches than school-aged children, and that they had prolonged exposure to this sport and its underlying philosophy.

Based on an analysis of each of the narratives and a composite thematic analysis, findings suggested that individuals who have been involved in Taekwondo have experienced positive character development and that the participants have in their own individual ways, transferred the tenets of Taekwondo into other life areas.

For this study, Taekwondo was defined as a culture, with a set of values exemplified in the five tenets of this sport, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, and indomitable spirit, and rules and expectations for actions and behaviors. Findings of this study further suggested that instructors, who embody the tenets of Taekwondo in both their actions and behaviors and their creation of cultures and climates in their respective dojangs, were perceived to be conducive to the development of positive character traits in those who practice this sport. As such, the culture of Taekwondo could become a model for other ecological niches, such as schools, organizations, or businesses to create cultures and climates, which promote strong values and subsequently ethical and moral actions and behaviors, and to help minimize the many ethical scandals that have permeated many of today’s environments.