Playing sports is seen as a way to 'build character' in young people. = Playing sports is seen as 'character-building' for young people.
They believe that going to church will improve the moral 'character' of their children.
It was entirely 'in character' for a generous person like her to give him the money.
(..) I'll carry your guilty secret to my grave. I guess I'd be very unpatriotic to hate one of the great heroes of the war. I do declare I was surprised to see you turn out to be such a noble character. I can't bear to take advantage of your little girl ideas, Miss O'Hara. I'm neither noble nor heroic. (..)1939 Gone with the Wind