Is Virginity still Important among Filipinos?

The arrival of Spaniards marks the establishment of Christianity in the Philippines and since then, Roman Catholicism became the religion of majority of Filipinos. And, like any other religion, it also became the society’s basis of morality.
One of the things considered a sin in Christianity and some religions is “sex before marriage”. However, considering the shows portrayed nowadays in the media and a more “freedom-loving” generation, can we still say that virginity is important for Filipinos?
According to a study made by the University of the Philippines - Population Institute, “majority of the Filipino youth aged 15-24 disapproved premarital sex behavior. Only 7.6% of girls and 18.4% of boys approved of girls' premarital sex. 40.6% of boys approved of boys' premarital sex. Approval of premarital sex was mainly found among older youth and youth who lived away from parents, attended nonsectarian schools, rarely attended church services, frequently went to discos and other night clubs, and smoked, drank alcohol, or used drugs. Approval was also higher among those who had siblings, had lower socioeconomic status, and experienced parental marital instability. Single parenthood was acceptable. Youths who were raised by single fathers were more likely to disapprove of girls' premarital sex behavior. Youths who were raised by single mothers expressed higher approval of premarital sex. 69.3% of females and 46.3% of males felt that an unmarried youth with an unplanned pregnancy should keep the baby regardless of marital status. 46.2% of males and 26.8% of females thought the girl should marry the father of the child. Few agreed with adoption or abortion. Acceptance of a young unmarried mother was higher among males, those married, and those who were older, lived in the city, ever lived in a dormitory, attended Catholic coed or nonsectarian schools, were Catholic, and attended religious services often. Peer groups and family were perceived as supportive and reassuring in difficult situations. Catholicism and schools were also considered to have strong positive influences on youths. (UPPI, 1995)”
However, this study was conducted in November 1995, about 2 decades ago and a lot of things may have changed since then. But, we also have to note how family, religion, and school strongly influences a child’s attitude towards sex.  This can also be viewed as a possible solution to the increasing number of unwanted pregnancy and abortion. But, since government control is very limited in family and religion, schools can be a good tool for the government’s drive against unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Sex education must be a part of all schools’ curriculum.

Reference:
University of the Philippines Population Institute. 1995. Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study II. Retrieved from http://www.popline.org/node/294348.

Group 5

Single Parenthood

            Single parenthood is already prevalent here in the Philippines. A lot of children are already accustomed in this kind of family setting. Well, single parenting or sole parenthood according to the Oxford dictionary is a person bringing up a child without a partner. While under the Philippine law, an individual can be considered a single or solo parent, according to Republic Act. No. 8972 or The solo parent’s welfare act of 2000, (1) if a woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender provided, that the mother keeps and raises the child; (2) parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to death of spouse; (3) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood while the spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least one (1) year; (4) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to physical and/or mental incapacity of spouse as certified by a public medical practitioner; (5) Parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to legal separation.

            A lot of children here in the Philippines grew up being raised by only one of his/her parent; it is either his/her mother or father. Being raised by only a single parent has its own advantages and disadvantages. This kind of family setting is still functional, but family members may feel that it is not when something went wrong or something did not fall into place. It is both difficult for the parent and child/ren to be in this kind of set-up, but it also depends on how they end up in this kind of family setting. There are various reasons why they fall into this kind of set-up, as stated in R.A. No. 8972.

            If the child is a product of rape, and the mother does not show any care and love towards the child, instead she showed anger, hatred, and continuous blame to the child for her ruined future, it may not be necessarily good for the upbringing of the child. It may result to behavioral challenges that the child may find difficult to address. On the other hand, if the child is a product of rape, but the mother raised the child with tender love and care, there is a higher possibility of good result that can be seen on the child.

            If the single parenthood is a result of the death of a spouse it is difficult to cope up both for the remaining parent and to the child itself. It will be hard emotionally and also financially. It will be hard for the child because he/she will lose one of the persons who take care and guide him. The person who was always be there for him, the one who taught him/her various values and life lessons. On the other hand, it will also be hard for the widow because he/she will lose the person who is always his/her partner in life in good times and in bad times, his/her lending hand, and the person whom he/she can always rely on. It will not only be hard emotionally for the persons who were left behind, but it will also be hard financially, especially if before both of the parents were working.

            It will be another story if the single parenthood is a result of annulment or separation. It will be more complicated for both the parents and the child. Hearing the news that his/her parents will be separated for good can be devastating for the child. It will be hard to accept that the persons whom you look up to have grown tired of each other and have fallen out of love. It will also be hard to choose between his/her mother and father, who will he/she choose to have his/her custody. And if in the future one of his/her parents will have another family, it will also be hard for the child, maybe he/she cannot bear the pain to see his/her mother or father with another family, the family that he/she wish they have. It may not be that hard financially in this case if the other parent is still giving financial support to his/her child.

            And lastly if the sole parenthood is a result of pre-marital pregnancy and the father of the child does not marry the childbearing mother. It will be hard emotionally and financially. It will be hard for the mother because she will not have a partner in raising the child, and it may also be hard financially if the father does not give financial support for the child. It will also be hard for the child to grow up without a father figure, especially if his father does not want to acknowledge him/her.

            Being a single parent is hard, but the parent is not the only one who feels the difficulty. We should also consider the fact that the child also suffers a great deal of pain. But being a single parent is not really full of negativity, because even though there is only one parent it is still a functional family. And besides it is not only the spouse that can help the parent raise his/her child, his/her family of orientation can help him/her raise the child. We should not bully those children who are product of this kind of family, instead we should treat them normally. We should not judge those people who are single parent, instead we should be proud of them, because they are able to raise their child all by themselves.  

SocSci 10 Z Group 4

Jaeger Dwayne Tamara, 

Mike Gyro Paras, 

Anthony Teofilo Jr., 

GiannaCapacia, 

Faye Mendoza, 

Jerome Gabriel.

The Long Distance Dilemma

            The Long Distance Dilemma

            "Absence makes the heart grows fonder, doesn't it?" This quote was famously said by Simon Van Booy and was the main quote that inspired me to look about Long Distance Relationships and ask the question: "Are long distance relationships fundamentally different between the 'short distance' ones and are there positive effects of longs distance relationships?"

            Long Distance Relationships or LDR is a term that is commonly used by couples who live far apart. It may be because of various reasons, such as one is attending school or work in a different place or perhaps the couple actually lived far away from each other from the very beginning and only met because of modern technologies such as: Video Calling and Instant Messaging.

            So are LDRs actually different?

            Strikingly, yes. A research done by Cornell and Queens University in 2013 showed that Long Distance Relationships are actually more healthier than their 'short distance' counterparts by saying that although couples in LDRs don't usually talk with each other that often, somehow it made their bond tighter by having occasional intimate conversations with each other. Which makes a rather strange point that geographically close couples don't actually have that much intimacy with each other when compared to LDRs. Another point is that the absence of your partner do not make the relationship go sour, rather it strengthens it. By having the couples not deal with day to day stuff. It makes them focus on what's important such as making each other's time special. Another is that through distance, it makes the couple trust each other. As LDR couples literally take a leap of faith with their partner since they have no choice but to and this attitude makes people with trust issues more trusting with their partner. The last point that the research brings up is that LDR makes a person independent and interdependent. As it is explained that because LDR creates a situation wherein a person is not around with his loved one it makes that person deal with his/her issues more independently when compared to the 'short distance' ones and makes them recognize the world around them and not focus too much on what they have but rather on the world where they belong and everything in it.

            In the end, Long Distance Relationships are not that dramatic kind of relationship that we usually see in television and movies. But, it is something that people who haven't experienced such must look into as it shows valuable traits that most of us forget nowadays. Such as intimate communication and trust between each other. Showing that absence really do make the heart grow fonder.

References:

Jiang, L., & Hancock, J. (2013). Absence Makes the Communication Grow Fonder: Geographic           Separation, Interpersonal Media, and Intimacy in Dating Relationships. Journal of                       Communication, 556-577. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from                                                             http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcom.12029/full

Dargie, E., Blair, K., Goldfinger, C., & Pukall, C. (n.d.). Go Long! Predictors of Positive                        Relationship Outcomes in Long Distance Dating Relationships. Journal of Sex &                 

Marital Therapy, 131125085821006-131125085821006. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from                  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0092623X.2013.864367#.VSUc8PmUf84

Group 3

Nunez, Vanessa Janine R.

Red, Ramces Brayalle T.

Ojos, Kevin H.

Alabin, Glassyl R.

Calip, Kaye Paula Ara M.

Moraleta, Raniella

When Parenting

When I was a kid, I have always complained to my parents. Simple things such as “Mom why does Philip get to have this?” or “Can I go out, Mark’s parents allowed him why won’t you allow me?” and finally “You’re the worst parents ever!” I would usually say these things when I’m ignored. You know typical kid stuff. These remarks from me would often lead to some spanking or some hardcore sermons making me hate my parents even more. I was so ignorant back then. Now I have learned to be more open-minded and complacent.  Parenting, as I observed, isn’t always easy. I never really understood what my parents were going through until now.

Parenting is the process of providing support - physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually -  during the development of a child. Parenting can differ in different families. There are terms for these parenting styles namely Authoritarian parenting, authoritative parenting, permissive parenting and uninvolved parenting. Basically authoritarian parenting is like marshal law, sort off. This type of parenting is influenced by a set of rules that must be strictly followed. When you don’t follow these rules get ready for some heavy sermons and spankings. The authoritative parenting on the other hand is less strict. This focuses on giving rewards and less punishment is given. The parents here are much more supportive. The permissive parenting is a type of parenting where the children are given mostly the freedom to do anything as long as the parents find it reasonable. The uninvolved parenting style is when the parents are usually emotionally absent and also physically absent. (Baumrind 1983)   

These parenting styles have advantages and disadvantages. The authoritarian parenting tends to produce children who are more moody, more vulnerable to stress because of pressure, and are very limited since it is the parents who set the rules. This parenting style however trains the child for the future. Since the authoritative parenting is a combination love and limitations, the child is very open to the parents. The emotions and behavior of the child is well developed. In this parenting style however, it is difficult to maintain the balance of the child’s behavior and emotions. Permissive parenting produces children that are very creative and very happy. The downside is the child tends to be more dependent when they grow up. In the uninvolved parenting style children are more responsible of theirs elves since the parents are usually not there. Although they still provide the child with the basic needs, they have little contact with them. This makes the child feel ignored or hated. (Baumrind 1983)

Also these parenting styles are influenced by culture or what the parents have gone through. (Aguila 2003). With this I have conducted my research about my family. My father was always a passive parent. Occasionally he is somewhat emotionally absent to us. This is probably the result of my dad’s childhood. Growing up my dad’s mother didn’t really take care of him much. My mother on the other hand is authoritative. Probably because of her parents giving her the basic needs with love and compassion.

I have finally understood why every parent is different. It has something to do with culture, as well as how they were raised as a child.   

References:

Boundless. “Authority Patterns.” Boundless Sociology. Boundless, 14 Nov. 2014. Retrieved 09 Apr. 2015 from https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/family-12/family-91/authority-patterns-523-3319/

parenting. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved April 09, 2015, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/parenting

SocSci10 Z Group 5


Enriquez, Ryan
Flores, Nathaniel Lorenz
Galido, Noel Joseph
Jimenez, Rica
Paican, Maria Luzviminda
Vergara, Bryan

Para Sa'yo Anak Ko

Mahirap maging isang magulang. Kasama sa pagiging magulang ang pagkakaroon ng malalaki at mabibigat na responsibilidad na pinaghahatian ng isang ama at ina. Ngunit paano kaya kung nag-iisa lamang ang magulang na nagbubuhat ng napakabigat na responsibilidad na ito? Hindi kaya magkabali-bali ang kanyang mga buto sa bigat ng kanyang pinapasan?

            Hindi biro ang maging single parent dahil kailangan nilang maging nanay at tatay nang magkasabay. Malaki ang kanilang mga pagsubok na kinakaharap. Isa na rito ang problemang pangpinansyal. Kailangan nilang kumayod nang mabuti upang matustusan ang mga pangangailangan at mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang kanilang mga anak. Nagkakaroon din sila ng problema sa emosyonal at sosyal na aspeto. Maaring sila may maistress sa bigat ng responsibilidad na kanilang inaako. Maari ding wala na silang panahon na makisalamuha sa ibang mga tao kaya kaunti lang ang kanilang mga kaibigan. Malaking sakripisyo ang kanilang inilalaan upang buhayin ang kanilang pamilya.

Bakit nga ba nagkakaroon ng mga single parents?  Maaring namatay ang isang magulang kaya sinisikap ng naiwan na magulang na itaguyod nang mag-isa ang kanyang pamilya. O maaari ding naghiwalay ang mag-asawa kaya ang mga anak ay nabubuhay kasama ang isang magulang lamang. Maari din naman iniwan ng isang magulang ang kanyang pamilya. Pwede rin na nabuntis ang ina nang siya ay dalaga pa at hindi alam kung sino ang ama. Ilan lamang ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit may mga single parents.

Ang pagkakaroon ng single parent sa isang pamilya ay may negatibong epekto sa mga anak. Dahil mag-isa lang ang magulang na bumubuhay sa kanyang mga anak, maaring magkaroon ng problemang pinansyal at dahil dito, maaring hindi maibigay ng magulang ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng kanyang mga anak. Maaring magbigay ito ng problema sa pag-aaral, kalusugan, at sosyal na pakikitungo ng mga anak. Ang pagkakaroon ng iisang magulang lamang ay maari ding magkaroon ng negatibong epekto sa pagpapalaki sa mga anak. Kailangan ng isang single parent na maging parehong ina at ama sa kanyang mga anak at maaring hindi niya ito magawa nang maayos. Pwedeng makaranas ng mga problemang emosyonal ang isang anak kung hindi tama ang pagpapalaki sa kanya. Ayon din sa isang pag-aaral, ang mga anak na binubuhay ng single parent lamang ay mas nakakaranas ng depresyon, mas kaunti ang mga kaibigan, mababa ang self-esteem, at mas malaki ang posibilidad na gumawa ng kapilyuhan kaysa sa mga anak na pinalaki ng dalawang magulang. Ngunit, hindi rin natin maikakaila na may mga positibong epekto din ang pagkakaroon ng single parent sa mga anak. Dahil iisa lamang ang magulang na bumubuhay sa isang anak, mas nagiging independent ang mga anak. Mas responsable din sila sapagkat alam nilang nag-iisa lang ang kanilang magulang kaya kailangan nilang tumulong.

SOURCE:

Amato, P. (2005). The Impact of Family Formation Change on the Cognitive, Social, and Emotional Well-Being of the Next Generation. http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=37&articleid=107&sectionid=692

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GROUP 6:

Domingo, Mark Anthony

Jacobe, Dessa Mae

Perez, Jeff

Posilero, Jinky

Rubiano, Geremie

Tajan, Patricia Willyn Mae

Following My Family’s Footsteps

I was born into a family full of medical and healthcare practitioners. My grandfather is a medical technician, my father’s a physician specializing in family medicine, my oldest uncle’s an optometrist, and my second uncle was a dentist now turned into a medical representative for Unilab. My youngest uncle, surprisingly, took computer science. One exception. Just one.

To be honest, this didn’t bother me at all at first. So what if my family’s full of medical practitioners? It’s not like they expect me to be one, right? I mean, sure, I knew that stool wasn’t just a different type of chair but poo as well since I was eight and that ibuprofen and mefenamic acid are pills that you just got to have when you can’t stand the monthly cramps even with a hot compress on your stomach but that doesn’t mean anything at all. Besides, my parents told me that I should pick the course that I want. I had free reign. Then I went to high school and picking out a career in three years suddenly became an absolute priority.

                                                                                                                                        

At first, it was the high school guidance counsellor.

“Have you ever thought of going into medicine like your family?”

“Um… no. I was thinking of something like journalism or English?”

“… oh. But your cousin’s going to take BS Psych. Why not?”

Second, it was my grandfather.

“Lolo, I was thinking about taking BA Language & Literature. What do you think?”

“It’s alright. That’s for you to decide. But it would’ve been good if you took medicine. Though it’s alright, hija, just choose what you want to take.”

Awkward silence. (Am I exaggerating? Just a bit.)

Third, it was the rest of my family except for my parents.

… I’m not even going to write this one.

Fourth, it was everybody else.

“Won’t you take MedTech?”

“Why not be a doctor?”

“Your father’s pre-med was MedTech, right?”

“Doctors earn a lot of money, you know.” (I beg to disagree. I hate that stereotype. It’s ridiculous. Talk to a doctor who owns his or her own clinic and then talk to a doctor who works in a hospital or ask for their specialty and you’ll see the huge [monetary] difference.)

It started to bother me so much that I was almost tempted to take MedTech despite having no interest in it whatsoever. I stopped myself from thinking of it as an option since I realized that I sucked at things like biology. Anyway, the way they asked me about medicine ever since knowing my family background was getting frustrating. It made me doubt if I was choosing the right course for me and almost made me think that I should just humour the people around me and take a pre-med course. I realized that some of our peers assume that children tend follow in their family’s footsteps.

This goes for our families as well. They may be very supportive but sometimes the family members’ occupations or preferences add pressure on a kid who has a choice of what he or she wants to be without even trying. Sometimes, they’re blessings since a person could actually like what their family does; however, they could also be a burden to a person who has no interest in what his or her family does at all. It could make a kid doubt himself or herself. Am I choosing the right thing? Should I do this? What if they don’t actually like this? Would everyone feel better if I chose this instead? Whether we like it or not, we look for approval from our families when making big decisions. Sometimes, our choices depend on what our loved ones would think of us once we’ve made our decisions, especially career choices. In general, we want them to be proud of us and we want them to approve of our decisions so we tend to pattern our decisions to things that our families could accept. I just realized that sometime ago. It isn’t bad or depressing. It’s just the way things are.

Group 3

Nunez, Vanessa Janine R.

Red, Ramces Brayalle T.

Ojos, Kevin H.

Alabin, Glassyl R.

Calip, Kaye Paula Ara M.

Moraleta, Raniella

A Diary of a Teen Dad

My name is Lance (pseudonym). I came from a family out of wedlock, I stay with my Dad because my Mom has her own family already based from the story of my Dad. But I am still lucky; Dad is always there to support me to whatever move I make, he give me whatever I need. He is my superhero. I am a happy-go-lucky person. At first, I don’t mind having a family where my parents are separated. They are separated because they are not married from the start. But then I realized that I don’t need cash, I don’t need material things that makes me a happy kid. I need a family. I need them both, but I left with only one, my father. In school, we’re taught that a family is the basic unit a society. It is composed of a father, a mother and children, the children are the fruits of the couple. Yes, I am the fruit of my Mom and Dad. But as I grew up, I am the fruit of my Dad. My Mom is nowhere to find. I finished high school with Dad beside me. I graduated with honors then. I am so happy and proud, and so my Dad. While in school, I learned to love someone and dreamt of having a family with her. Not like the family where I grew up. Honestly, it is hard to grow up in a family where you only have one parent; you only have your dad. In school, there are parents meeting and some family days where both parents are required to come. It is hard for me to explain to my classmates that my parents are separated, or they are not married. It is hard for me to explain to them that I grew up with my Dad, that I don’t know who and where my Mom is. For them and for Filipino culture per se since women are the ones who bear a child, and if in my case, I must be living with my mom and not with my dad. It is hard for me to explain to them my existence. Sometimes, I think that my Dad just adopted me but no, he had proven to me that I am his child. And I salute my dad for all his sacrifices for me alone. Now, I am in a relationship for like 3 years. I love her so much that I would go to their house, to fetch her and we’ll go to the park and talk anything under the sun over pizza and tea. We both love pesto and fries. My dad knows about my relationship with my girlfriend. I make sure that she is good every single day. We kissed and one thing led to the other. After three years of being in a relationship, she is pregnant and I am only 18. Yes, this is a mistake, a big mistake. I never thought I will make such a mess like this. The worst thing is, her parents are mad at me. They would not let me visit my girlfriend. They would not let me bring food, chocolates and roses for her just like when we’re still on our first and second years as boyfriend and girlfriend. I miss her just like I miss my Mom. I miss her so much. Thank God my father is beside me since I was a child. He scolded me at first but he then understands the situation. But since the parents of my girlfriend are very angry, they flew to states and kept my child and my girlfriend. I feel miserable. I feel devastated. I feel so incomplete. Once again, I was left with someone, my Dad. He let me understands the situation. Because of what happened, I felt so hard to deal with things around me. I felt so weak and I could not concentrate especially on my studies. He told me a story, the story of what happened between them and my Mom. Just like my situation right now, my mom got pregnant when she was still in college. My Mom’s parents are mad so after she gives birth my mom gave me to my Dad and she disappeared in just a snap. Now, I understand why my Dad understands me. Why my dad supports me and cared for me. I understand now. He is a teen dad. And I just wished that when the time, my girlfriend give birth to our child I will be able to see them. I will be able to go near them without fear. I will be able to say, just like my father that I am a teen dad.

SocSci 10 Z Group 4
Jaeger Dwayne Tamara, 
Mike Gyro Paras, 
Anthony Teofilo Jr., 
GiannaCapacia, 
Faye Mendoza, 
Jerome Gabriel.