Parental Responsibilities in Large Families
Parental Responsibilities in Large Families
Chapter 1
Rationale
they are the central guiding force in shaping their children's lives. The Family Code
of the Philippines chapter 3, article 220, states the following duties of parents to their
children: (1) keeping them company, supporting, and instructing them with the right
precepts and good example; (2) giving them love and affection, advice and counsel;
(3) provide them with moral and spiritual guidance; (4) preserve and maintain their
physical and mental health at all times; (5) furnish them with good educational
materials; (6) represent them in any decisions impacting their interest; (7) demand
from them respect and compliance; (8) impose discipline on them; and (9) execute
any additional responsibilities for parents and guardians as prescribed by law. These
responsibilities indicate not only the physical aspect but also the other related vital
aspects of their children's upbringing, such as their mental, social, and spiritual well-
being. However, parents could be labeled irresponsible when they fail to provide
these responsibilities and secure a better life for their children (ARTICLES 220-221
the family is in the household. Sutherland (2016) says that having a new baby does
not seem to take away parental love or intellectually stimulating resources from the
older child or children in the family. It also does not make the home unsafe or too
messy, but it does mean that the older child or children will spend less quality time
with their parents, even after the new baby is out of the infant and toddler stages.
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This means that having more siblings somewhat lowers children's cognitive test
scores, impairs their behavior, and raises the risk of teenage pregnancy and criminal
conviction.
reproductive cycle in Africa, while 5.4 live births are thought to occur on average for
an Ethiopian woman per year. Both urban and rural parts of the nation have different
averages. In Addis Ababa, for instance, the fertility rate is only 1.4, but in the Oromia
Region, it is 7.4. Pregnancy risks are higher in Africa than anywhere else due to the
continent’s high reproduction rate, generally poor health, and limited access to
medical care. An African woman has an average risk of 900 per 100,000 live births
taking place worldwide and will continue to spread. The global population continues
to increase each year by about 80 million people, or the population of a nation the
size of Germany, even if the rate of expansion has been slowing since the 1960s.
The developing countries of the world account for almost all of this increase, wherein
high fertility rates remain. Based on their surveys of women in developing countries,
between 10 and 40% of them wish to spread out or limit childbearing but are not
using contraceptives. This might lead to obstructing chances for economic growth,
raise health risks for women and children, and degrade life quality by restricting
access to food, employment, education, and limited resources like drinkable water
Thus, countries with high fertility rates frequently have higher rates of maternal, child,
and newborn mortality than nations with lower fertility rates. Despite the seeming
benefits for many children, it is unclear whether parents benefit strictly from an
economic perspective.
Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2020, the average household size is 4.1 people. The
total fertility rate declined from 2.7 children per woman in 2017 to 1.9 children per
woman in 2022 in urban areas and 2.2 children per woman in rural areas (Household
numbers, based on the preliminary results of the Family Income and Expenditure
Survey (FIES) in 2021, 350 million families, or about 13.2% of families, were
considered poor. It was recorded that 18.1%, or around 19.99 million Filipinos, lived
below the poverty threshold of about Php 12,030 per month for a family of five. This
means that their per capita income cannot sufficiently provide even the family's basic
necessities, like food, causing the children to grow up unhealthy and sick (Proportion
Organization (UNESCO) reported that more than 30% of Filipino families rely on
loans to send their children to school (Baclig, 2021). The World Health Organization
(WHO) also declared that Filipino children aged 5 to 15—10% to 15%—are affected
by mental health problems. The above-mentioned data shows that Filipino parents
struggle to meet their children's needs despite having two to three children (Malolos
et al.). This further elaborates the need to evaluate and study the situation of parents
The Philippine Statistics Authority said in August that Cebu City was the fifth
be the barangay with the highest population, with 61,238 residents (Lape, 2016). In
the recent survey conducted in 2022 and reported by SunStar Cebu, among the tri-
cities, Cebu City was declared to have the most number of poor households for three
consecutive years, but based on the official COA report, Cebu is the unquestioned
wealthiest province in the whole country for the sixth time already as of 2021(Cotejo,
2022). The population of Cebu City in 2023 is now estimated at 1,297,637, according
to the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects (Cebu City Population
2023). There was also a result of a survey that showed Cebu has the highest
Listahan 3 poverty database, 220,112 households out of the 453,961 identified poor
households in Region 7 came from Cebu (“DSWD-7: Cebu Island Has Highest
websites, and research about parental responsibility is only limited to the Philippines.
Majority of which conducted only talk about parental involvement in early childhood
children's academic achievement. This shows that the study of family size and its
Underlying implications, causes, and variables have not yet been determined. This is
with more than five children in Guadalupe, Cebu, City, to provide a comprehensive
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understanding of parents' responsibility to bear with every child they bring into the
world.
this study to provide a clear overview of the consequences of these actions and the
Theoretical Background
The theories that underpin this study include Koerner and Fitzpatrick’s Family
The objectives of this study are anchored to the three theories. Researchers
examined earlier ideas and arguments made in the aforementioned theories in order
creating a shared social reality. This theory explains how family communication
occurs within the family in two methods: conversations and conformity orientation.
family has a strong conversation orientation, the members discuss larger topics and
are more receptive to opinions and sentiments. In other words, family members
families with low conversation orientation. On the other hand, conformity orientation
refers to the extent to which compliance with the family’s hierarchy is followed by
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communication. This type of orientation deals with how much emphasis is put on
avoid conflict and emphasize harmony and connection where there is a high level of
themselves from the group and are more likely to express their disagreement with
In this research study, parents are expected to ensure not just the physical
but also the mental and emotional well-being of their offspring. This means building
rapport with them through proper communication. Thus, using this theory, the impact
Gatekeeping Theory is the process by which the billions of messages that can
be sent worldwide are reduced to the hundreds of messages that reach a specific
transmission, shape, display, repetition, and timing. Specifically, this theory aims to
block and filter unwanted or useless things or information through a gate. In this
and actions of parents that influence the caliber of their children. Similar to the
current study, it entails the standpoint of parents’ effect on their children through their
“manager” or “protector.”
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the 1920s, assumed that the audience would be directly imprinted by the media
message. The theory supposes that the mass media should be promoted since it
The current study shows that people generally trust what they witness in their
normal without considering the repercussions. Apparently, the issue of having too
many offspring in a household has been overlooked because many people consider
this normal. Due to this fact, the emergence of the population is rampant and
uncontrolled. Having a large family can also be the cause for family complications
such as neglecting the older child over another child who needs more attention,
insufficient guidance that could somewhat lead to improper explorations in the real
world, pervasive teenage pregnancy, and such. All these factors have failed to
notice, considering that many people have thought of these as usual and recurrent.
The foundation of this study consists of all the theories described above.
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parents with more than five offspring. Specifically, it will answer the following
questions:
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1. What are the parents’ lived experiences in terms of providing their offspring?
1.2. child-rearing
2. What are the other challenges parents face in raising their children?
Parents. This research will provide parents with the necessary knowledge
and a better understanding of the responsibilities that they must uphold when
Youths. This research helps them understand the causative factors of the
understanding of the lived experiences of a family who have more than five
research papers and analyses with innovative ideas and knowledge. This study
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will serve as a reference for related research being conducted both currently and
in the future.
This research seeks to find out the lived experiences of parents with more
than five offspring. This study will only focus on the residents that are parents living
in Barangay Guadalupe Cebu City. The goal of this study is to only assess parents’
lived experiences in terms of providing their offspring the following: basic necessities,
child-rearing, and overall health and well-being, and will not delve into the causes of
This study interviews three (3) selected parents from Barangay Guadalupe
Cebu City. Therefore, this research will not cover the whole population of Cebu City
Definition of Terms
The following definitions are given operationally in accordance with how the
words will be used in the study for a clear and meaningful understanding of the basic
terms used.
Family Planning a parent practices controlling how many children are in the
Offspring are referred to as children (without reference to age, thus one can
responsibilities, and authority a parent has for a child and the child’s property. A
person with parental responsibility for a child has the right to make decisions about
Chapter 2
This chapter presents a review of related literature and studies related to the
lived experiences of parents with more than five offspring addressing significant
aspects and underlying factors that shed light on the topic strengthening the need to
Access to basic necessities is a human right to which all children in the world
are entitled to be provided since it is necessary for survival. The parents who are
associated with such responsibilities must acknowledge and uphold the need to
provide these to their children. Gingerbread (2015) pointed out that the right to make
choices concerning a child's care and upbringing belongs to the individual with
child.
levels: physiological, safety, love and belonging, and self-actualization. The first two
levels emphasize the significance of food, clothes, education, shelter, safety, and
security, which are considered the basic necessities for humans to survive,
specifically for children to ensure their growth and development (Mcleod, Maslow'S
requirements like food, shelter, and medical care, parents experience less stress,
allowing them to give the vital support children require to grow into healthy,
productive individuals (Masten et al., 2021). However, when these requirements are
not fulfilled, it can result in challenges and negative consequences that significantly
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affect the children in many aspects (Basic Needs of Children: The Essentials for a
in the year 2015 had one of the poorest nutritional conditions for children under the
age of five, with the highest prevalence of stunting at 45.2% and the second-highest
rate of wasting at 8.2% (Harju and Thorod, 2015). These findings highlight the
their health and growth development. Additionally, the National Situation Analysis of
Children Philippines in 2017 detects that the poorest and most marginalized kids still
struggle to survive, develop, and thrive. Over 2.85 million children between the ages
of 5 and
15 are still believed to be out of school, and only 91% of children were attending
primary education as of 2015, while 68% were attending secondary school. With
rates of 75% and 29%, respectively, ARMM reported lower rates (Lagsa, 2017).
These data revealed that many children were deprived of their access to education
families could not afford primary healthcare, including buying medicines and paying
for hospitalization if one of their children gets sick (Chanco, Philippines Healthcare
Unaffordable). Additionally, the estimated data from the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA) shows that over 4.5 million Filipino families are homeless out of the 106
million total population in the country (Silverio, 2022). This knowledge and data
further prove how poor and difficult the situation of children living in a family with no
around facing risks and challenges at such a young age, defining the crucial role of
Furthermore, another contributing factor that has been regarded as the single
most important to a child's growth and development as it deals with a wide variety of
given society, subculture, family, or time period in cultural history (APA Dictionary of
Psychology). The psychologist Francyne Zeltse listed the four main child-rearing
2021).
can cause childhood illnesses and accidents, teenage pregnancy and substance
juvenile crime, and mental illness. This means that parental parenting style may
continue influencing a child's behavior and actions as the child ages. Nevertheless,
despite all these, ineffective child-rearing is still prevalent but often regarded as a
children's overall health and well-being, either in the aspect of mental, emotional, or
physical health, which may deeply and greatly rely on their relationship towards their
whose needs are supplied promptly and warmly– such as when they are fed,
this strong affectionate connection, which also applies to the relationships between
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children, their siblings, and other family members (Parents and Caregivers Are
impacts the overall well-being of a child. Most children who grow up to be successful
have at least one secure relationship with a devoted parent (Why Is Parental
Site).
when children successfully bond with their parents and develop the confidence to
expectations, beliefs, ambitions, and coping mechanisms are all greatly influenced
by their parents, who also play a significant role in helping youngsters develop their
knowledge and skills. As part of their responsibility as parents, they expose their
kids to the social environment where they gain self-awareness, their place in society,
and their values. These understandings affect their life choices and experiences
(Parenting Matters).
Moreover, according to Aarthun et al. (2017), parents have the legal right to
the fact that it is commonly understood, parents may not always participate as much
as they would like to in decisions regarding their child's health care (Aarthun et al.,
Hospital).
harm, as in child abuse. It is evident how most parents care for their children,
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oftentimes against great odds. As human impulse to care for and protect children is
not inborn; rather, it is learned and formed by prior experiences and the present
like how extreme poverty and maternal depression have substantially impeded the
Families are seen as the foundation for safe and sustainable communities,
with excellent parents nurturing and passing down essential qualities to their
offspring that preserve and perpetuate the common good (Gillies, Perspectives on
Parenting Responsibility: Contextualizing Values and Practices). The state and size
of a family significantly affect how its members interact with one another and can
contraceptives, which helped the nation's fertility rate fall. However, a discussion has
arisen because the RCC (Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines) has
Faced with a high birth rate, a decreasing total fertility rate, and conflicting
family planning policies, the National Family Planning Program aims to provide every
Filipino with universal access to correct information, medically safe, legal, non-
methods. As a side benefit, President Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No. 12,
titled Attaining and Sustaining "Zero Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning"
Health Act, providing funds therefore, and for other purposes (Executive Order No.
12, S. 2017: "Zero Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning" Through the Strict
However, in the 2017 news article released by Rappler, it was stated that the
Philippines ranked 96th out of 172 countries in terms of child mortality, stunting, out-
of-school children, child labor, early marriage, teen pregnancy, displacement due to
conflict, and child homicide. The organization's health and nutrition advisor, Dr.
childhood" for Filipino children, as the data revealed that the majority of
teenage mothers who are not yet financially, physically, or emotionally prepared to
Moreover, the longitudinal study done by Pajaron (2019) in Cebu City utilized
permissive parenting methods (refuse or cannot establish limits), with women being
more consistent than fathers showed that children raised with permissive parenting
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These children typically have poor academic performance and have a higher
age, they are immediately given the responsibility to make their own decisions when
they are not yet capable of doing so (Pajaron, 2019). Additionally, the meta-analysis
parenting and juvenile delinquency. In the data gathered, the strongest mean effect
sizes were found for negative aspects of support, such as neglect, hostility, rejection,
monitoring and supervision were among the best predictors of juvenile delinquency
due to a child's changes. (Hoeve et al., "The Relationship Between Parenting and
Delinquency: A Meta-analysis).
It has been observed how family size as a response variable affects the
developmental process and how it shapes how families interact with one another
(Family Size, Interaction, Affect, and Stress on JSTOR). Having children is clearly a
sequential process that takes place inside a set of desires and expectations involving
many other aspects of living. The subject of how many children are desired or
family size becomes an option for a growing number of people, and the measuring of
significant role in reproductive activity as the number of planned families rises. The
expectations, motives, beliefs, and ideals related to family size can be interpreted as
family size interests (Thomson, Family Size Preferences). As a result, they are
In the present study, understanding family size and circumstances is vital for
tracking demographic trends, including how fertility rates change, parent patterns in
The aforementioned studies have discussed factors that are crucial to the
current study. The researchers intend to probe more into the various challenges the
parents have faced based on factors such as family size, social influence, and their
environment.
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Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research method, the research environment, the
Research Design
parents with more than five offspring. Qualitative research is a study that examines
intend to explore the why and how questions. Moreover, the case study approach
focuses on acknowledging the complexities and nuances of the specific case and
Research Environment
According to the recent census conducted last 2020, there are 70,039 people living
in the area. Compared to the previous population of 61 238 in 2015, the most recent
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census results in 2020 show a positive growth rate of 2.87% or an increase of 8,801
individuals. This current population is 7.26% of Cebu City's total population which
makes it one of the biggest barangays in terms of population size, making the place
Research Respondents
researchers. First, they must be a bonafide resident of the selected barangay, and
second, they must have more than five children. If a large number of residents
Research Instrument
This study has the opportunity to describe the parents' lived experiences and
questions as the primary data collecting tool to provide more accurate results and to
enable the researchers to partake and communicate with the participants with follow-
prespecified questions are asked, and the rest are left up to the respondent; though
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structured interviews can benefit from each other (Pollock, 2022). This research tool
Data-gathering Procedure
This study underwent two procedures. First was visiting Barangay Guadalupe
and interacting with the parents, as the main participants, in their natural settings.
The objective of the first visit is to obtain authorization from the officials of the
selected barangay (see Appendix A). The study utilized a random sampling method
the assessment process of the potential participants was brief about the study. A
letter of consent is given (see Appendix B), which emphasizes the intent of the
research, ethical considerations, terms, and conditions to read and think over,
On the second visit, with full consent and confirmation of the chosen
respondents who agreed and signed the consent letter, a semi-structured individual
the workplace, at school, and in their community while trying to unveil all the
The first phase of the study examines parents' lived experiences with more
than five offspring in terms of providing them with their basic necessities, child-
Respondent #1
Respondent #2
Respondent #3
The second phase of the interview process highlights the difficulties and
Respondent #1
Respondent #2
Respondent #3
The final phase of the interview process focuses on learning how parents of
more than five offspring overcome the many difficulties of raising their kids.
Parents with more than Five How parents overcome the challenges of raising
Children Living in Guadalupe
Cebu, City their children
Respondent #1
Respondent #2
Respondent #1
This section discusses the appropriate response to the lived experiences and
challenges of parents with more than five children. This section also covered
proactive strategies that are beneficial to parents with more than five children.
Data Analysis
procedure (Polit et al. 2010:383). Following the initial interview, the data analysis
Thematic analysis is a method for studying qualitative data that comprises examining
a data set for repeating patterns to describe and interpret the set of tests, such as
interviews and transcripts (Braun et. al., 2006). The researchers study the data in the
Ethical Consideration
After the participants were recognized, researchers adhered to the following ethical
guidelines:
pressure. They are also given the right to withdraw participation if they want.
Confidentiality and anonymity: This entails taking steps to ensure that the
research's findings are never reported or published in a way that reveals the
researchers respect participants' privacy and ensure it is not affected. Securing any
of their own and the participants' power relationships and ensure that participation in
the researcher provides them with a token of appreciation for their time and
carefully assess and address the aforementioned ethical issues at every stage of the
research process.
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Chapter 4
The analysis and interpretation of the data acquired in the study are
patterns and authentic viewpoints from the respondents, the findings and
interview questions.
Lived Experiences
providing their children with basic necessities, child-rearing, and overall health and
well-being.
Columns 2 and 4 in Table 1 show that all respondents struggle to provide their
children with basic necessities due to insufficient income. A study reveals that raising
a large family can be both expensive and exhausting for parents. As the number of
children increases, so does the cost of food, clothing, education, and child care.
(Wagner et al., "Family Size Effects: A Review"). Additionally, the data illustrate that
all respondents rely on assistance from their family members, neighbors, and
governmental agencies to aid their lack of financial ability to provide for their
children's basic needs. These results imply that the respondents cannot fulfill their
alternative economical option as their strategy for budgeting their insufficient income,
which is choosing not to acquire some of the basic necessities of a family, such as a
stable water supply, comfortable and safe shelter among many others. A study found
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enough money to meet their everyday needs. ("Managing Money and Budgeting").
approaches that parent employed in raising more than five offspring. It involves
results generated from the ways parents raised their children and the effects of the
circumstances they have encountered. The results indicate that having a lot of
children tends to have limited income, which makes parents commit to various jobs
to sustain their daily needs causing them to have less time to monitor their children.
Further, column 3 also displays one of the aftermaths of parents having more
than five offspring: the eldest child playing the role of parent of their siblings. When
parents work, there is a high chance that the eldest child will be the one to take care
of their siblings hence, carrying as much responsibility as a parent has. Along with
nurturing their children. It is because, considering their family size, the need to
secure the safety of their children is still one of their top priorities, and to uphold
children which is corporal punishment. This indicates that due to their family size and
considering the ages of their children who need extra discipline and understanding,
assistance of Medication
House renting
Limited Access to
Water Supply
Selecting an
alternative
economical option
Support
House Renting
Limited Access to
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Water Supply
Rely on loan
Based on the findings, these results entail that parents struggle to provide the
basic necessities of their children due to insufficient income as the main factor. Two
out of three respondents shared that their husbands have no permanent job, while
the other one earned below the minimum wage. This factor leads to limiting the
shared,
“We simply do not have any savings because our income is typically
insufficient, leaving us with nothing at the end of the week or month. That is
why we usually borrow from friends, family members, or neighbors. If there is
no one to assist us or lend us money, we are left with no choice but to make
the best of what we have. ”
Moreover, when the respondents were asked if they were part of the social
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), all the respondents said
that they were not included in the list of their barangay. All of them tried to request
for reconsideration and submitted all of the necessary documents and requirements
accessing permanent water supply and opted to buy water from their neighbor with a
minimum amount of P3.00 pesos per bucket. One respondent stated in vernacular
terms:
This indicates that parents sometimes fail to meet the needs of their children
alternatives that are more economical which sometimes risk the overall health and
well-being, and safety of their children. During the interview, the respondents
revealed that:
“My six year-old and two-year old sons drink coffee because it is way
cheaper than milk.” - Respondent 1
“We only go to the hospital if we feel like it is getting worse but most of
the time we prefer traditional and herbal medication “binisaya” to save
money.” - Respondent 3
This exhibits that all of the respondents were having difficulty in providing the
basic necessities for their children as they grow due to the fact that their income is
inadequate and their family size is considerably affecting their ways of living.
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Moreover, in light of the results in column 3, having more than five children is
really difficult, particularly for parents who are undoubtedly struggling with financial
support. Not only is the time jeopardized but also the kids and their freedom to
associate themselves with other kids because they have to monitor their younger
siblings and carry other responsibilities that their parents have instilled in them at
“My eldest child, who’s 6 years old, will look after his younger siblings
while I am outside and working. I admit I am unable to spend as much time
with my children, but I need to work in order for us to have food for the
following days, or else we will starve”
The majority of the respondents have the same exact situation. This shows
the inevitable effect of raising more than five offspring while also facing life crises
such as poverty. In addition, the parents admitted that handling more than five
children is totally overwhelming, especially when times that their children are out of
control, so they would opt for physical punishment. During the interview, the parents
“My kids are still young and need so much understanding. However, in order
for them to learn and acknowledge their behaviors, I needed to incorporate
physical punishment for them” -Respondent 1
“Reprimanding the kids through words is not enough, and most of the time
they don’t listen so by using punishment, it gives them an idea that I am being
serious and their actions are bad” -Respondent 2
“I honestly punish my kids especially when I caught them wasting their time in
a computer shop while I was busy working” -Respondent 3
From the data gathered, the result shows that the lived experiences of parents
with more than five children require serious assistance. Their basic necessities are
almost lacking, and they only rely on, most of the time, with their families and
government aid. Raising their children also carries a lot of demands, the reason why
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they opt for various alternatives they think would suffice. Further, the result also
shows how the eldest kids are deprived to play as kids their age does because of the
responsibility to look after their younger siblings. And lastly, raising more than five
children gives consequences such as not having enough time spent with them and
Encountered Challenges
Parental Burnt-out
Respondent #2 Self-blame
addition to struggles with fulfilling their parental responsibilities. One noted that being
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terms;
“Para nako, ang pinakalisod nga bahin sa pagpadako ug daghang anak kay
wala kay panahon nga kapuyon o mo-give up kay naa kay mga anak nga
nagsalig nimo. Wala kay oras mohilak or maghuna-huna pa sa imong
kaugalingon kay tanang atensyon naa sa imong anak” (For me, the hardest
part of raising many children is that you don't have time to get tired or give up
because you have children who depend on you. You don't have time to cry or
think about yourself because all the attention is on your child)."
This implies that most respondents have difficulty making time for themselves,
which leads to emotional breakdown and stress. In one study conducted, it was
proven that parental stress has negative effects on children, which include feelings of
Moreover, respondents share that it was tough for them to deal with regret,
guilt, and the burden of being unable to meet their children's needs. The
respondents uttered:
“I feel guilty because I know my children deserve more than this kind of
life, but this is what we can only provide.” - Respondent 1
"If I had known that having children would be this difficult, I would have
started with family planning earlier.” - Respondent 2
“There are days when I feel overwhelmed by guilt, especially when I see
my children struggling, and I cannot do anything, it is too much as a mother.” -
Respondent 3
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The responses illustrate that the parents deal with personal struggles while
carrying out their parental duties such as coping with guilt and regret for their
resulting in mental and emotional distress on their part. One respondent uttered:
“Basi sa sweldo sa akong bana, usa ra jud unta ka anak ang among
kaya mapadako, pero unsaon nahinaykan. Mas maayo unta nga usa ra kay di
mi maglisod sama karon.”
This shows that the respondents admitted that family size affects the quality of
Parents with more than Five How parents overcome the challenges of raising
Children Living in Guadalupe
Cebu, City their children
Hard work
Constant Communication
Active monitoring
Hard Work
Optimism
Constant Communication
Hard Work
raising their children. The result implies that maintaining a stable communication and
connection between parents and children is one way to manage household problems
“Ensuring that my kids are in good disposition will always be my top priority.
Constant monitoring is essential considering our family size [I have a total of
eleven children]. Me and my husband always find ways to monitor our children
and to always check on them.”
Based on the gathered data, this could be linked to one of the study’s theories
Majority of the parents established good and stable communication with their
is through having a strong sense of faith. Parents also give their children the freedom
to express themselves to create a safe space for them. The parents expressed:
The above responses give a conclusion that parents experience struggles that
could be out of their control, so they would depend on everything through having
faith. Nevertheless, the parents never fail to assist their children by nourishing stable
Overall Discussion
Families, and Socioeconomic Status”). This has been proven true based on the data
provided showing that low-income parents with a large number of children are less
likely to be able to provide their children with the resources and opportunities
necessary to reach their full intellectual potential and nurture their physical,
emotional, social, and behavioral development and growth. This results in a lack of
sense of fulfillment on the part of the parents, which causes stress and anxiety
fortitude from a positive outlook and their faith to continue with their daily lives.
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Lastly, based on the analysis, corporal punishment has been the main parenting
This section states the appropriate suggested courses of action for parents
Strengthen the Support System. To aid the burden and struggle of big and
affordable housing, nutritious food, extend free health care services, education
assistance, as well as training programs that allow the family breadwinner to work in
a stable job that pays in the above or minimum wage. By establishing this course of
action, parents of multiple children will be able to provide children's basic needs
without compromising their health, time with their children, and other related factors.
This program does not mean giving parents access to solely rely on social support,
but it can be a tool to help the family gradually recover from poverty and save until
organizations will hold barangay seminars to inform parents about their parental
responsibility and its impact on the overall growth and development of their children.
This will also talk about proper budgeting in finances and effective parenting styles
among many others. An open forum will also be added in the last part of the
program, where parents are allowed to ask questions and seek advice from experts
on the challenges they are dealing with as parents. Through this campaign, parents
39
will be guided in their journey of parenthood which will also positively benefit their
children.
Chapter 5
improvements.
Findings
The following findings were gathered from the data acquired from the open-
meet their daily demands, which leaves them with less time to watch over
income that sometimes risks the overall health and well-being and safety of
their children.
5. All of the respondents are dealing with internal challenges while fulfilling their
parental responsibility, such as regret and guilt of not being able to provide for
6. The majority of respondents acknowledged that raising more than five kids
may be extremely challenging and admitted that family size affects the quality
of life of a family.
Conclusions
Based on the findings, it can be concluded that parents with more than five
Recommendations
families.
41
finances.
Further Recommendations
Based on the findings, and conclusion, the following titles are proposed
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APPENDICES
55
Appendix A
56
Appendix B
Consent Form
To determine the lived experiences of parents and recognize the different adversities
of raising more than five offspring.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All information gathered throughout the interview will be maintained with the highest
confidentiality and will only be made public with your consent as implemented by the
Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.
CONSENT
1. I confirm that I have read and understood the information sheet dated for the above
study and have had the opportunity to ask questions.
2. I understand that my participation in the study is voluntary and that I am free to
withdraw at any time, without giving any reason, without my medical care or legal rights
being affected.
3. I understand that the Sponsor of the research study, others working on the Sponsor’s
for the above study and have had the opportunity to ask questions.
4. I understand that the Sponsor of the research study, others working on the Sponsor’s
behalf, CNU-ERC and the regulatory authorities will not need my permission to look at
my health records both in respect of the current study and any further research that may be
conducted in relation to it, even if I withdraw from the trial. I agree with this access.
57
I have read the above information and agreed to participate in this study. I have received a
copy of this form.
Address:
Occupation:
Phone no(s):
Legally Acceptable
Representative name:
Legally Acceptable
Representative signature and
date:
Address:
Phone no(s):
Address:
58
Phone no(s):
Name of PI or Co-PI/Co-I:
Appendix C
59
Interview Guide
I. INTRODUCTORY
CURRICULUM
VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Email: marashanshan@[Link]
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Secondary:
(SHS) 2021-2022
(JHS) 2019-2020
Primary: 2015-2016
EXPERIENCE:
63
● ACC Assistant
ACHIEVEMENTS:
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Email: [Link]@[Link]
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Secondary:
(SHS) 2021-2022
(JHS) 2019-2020
Primary: 2015-2016
EXPERIENCE:
Writer
Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd (2016-2020)
ACHIEVEMENTS:
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Email: kharelolmoguez@[Link]
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Secondary:
(SHS) 2021-2022
(JHS) 2019-2020
Primary: 2014-2016
2010-2014
EXPERIENCE:
ACHIEVEMENTS:
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Email: angelpanon9@[Link]
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Secondary:
(SHS) 2021-2022
(JHS) 2019-2020
EXPERIENCE:
Adolescent’s Growth
Representative
victims
ACHIEVEMENTS:
71
4Games-Touch (2022)
4Games-Touch (2020)
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Email: marjorieremando3@[Link]
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Secondary:
(SHS) 2021-2022
(JHS) 2019-2020
EXPERIENCE:
73
Media
ACHIEVEMENTS:
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Email: joceltuanson921@[Link]
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Secondary:
(SHS) 2021-2022
(JHS) 2017-2020
EXPERIENCE:
ACHIEVEMENTS:
2020)
Parents in low-income families encounter several challenges including inadequate income, absence of stable jobs, and reliance on external assistance to meet basic needs. These challenges lead to insufficient funds for essential health services and deficits in securing a stable living environment. Due to the need to work multiple jobs, the limited parental presence at home often shifts the caregiving burden to elder siblings. These challenges hinder the provision of consistent healthcare and proper nutrition, impacting children's physical and mental well-being .
Larger families in low-income situations often lead to limited income, compelling parents to work multiple jobs, which reduces their time to supervise their children. This situation tends to lead to parentification, where older children take on parental roles. Additionally, parents adopt authoritative styles to ensure safety and discipline, sometimes resorting to corporal punishment due to stress and the need to quickly curb misbehavior. These strategies may risk children's psychological well-being and health due to neglect and the emotional burden of undue responsibilities .
Financial constraints lead parents to adopt economical options and strategies for budgeting. Due to insufficient income, parents often forgo some basic necessities like stable water supply and comfortable housing. Many rely on loans and extended family support to manage daily expenses. Consequently, these compromises can negatively impact children's health and well-being, reflecting the high levels of stress and difficult choices involved in parental decision-making under economic pressure .
In overcrowded households, corporal punishment emerges as a discipline strategy partly due to the high stress and limited resources faced by parents. The inability to offer personalized attention to each child leads to a preference for instant behavioral control methods. Additionally, cultural norms and an authoritative parenting style aiming to maintain discipline in a challenging environment contribute to this choice. However, such strategies may have lasting negative psychological impacts on children, questioning its ethical and practical implications .
Parentification in families with more than five children often places the burden of caregiving on the eldest child. This role reversal can lead to significant emotional and psychological stress, affecting the child's development and social relationships. While they may acquire responsibility and maturity, the potential negative impacts include a loss of childhood, increased anxiety, and the possibility of academic and emotional difficulties stemming from managing adult responsibilities prematurely .
The proposed government support systems aim to alleviate the burdens of large, low-income families by providing access to affordable housing, nutritious food, healthcare, and educational assistance. These measures are designed to help families meet basic needs without relying solely on government aid. By offering training programs that enable parents to secure stable, better-paying jobs, this program can gradually reduce poverty levels and improve living conditions while preventing dependency on social support .
Effective communication serves as a crucial tool for low-income parents in navigating child-rearing challenges. It facilitates the development of coping strategies, enabling parents to express needs, share responsibilities, and seek support. Parent-parent and parent-child communication can reduce stress, strengthen familial bonds, and aid in addressing discipline and behavior issues constructively. Additionally, clear communication helps in creating and adhering to budgeting and parenting plans that accommodate financial constraints .
Researchers must obtain informed consent from participants, ensuring participation is voluntary and free from coercion. They should maintain confidentiality and anonymity, ensuring that participant identities are not revealed in findings. Privacy must be respected throughout the research process, and researchers should be conscious of the power dynamics between themselves and participants. Additionally, maintaining a professional relationship with clear communication is crucial. Participants should also be compensated fairly for their involvement .
The 'Responsible Parenthood Campaign,' by educating parents on financial management and effective parenting styles, could significantly improve parenting practices and child outcomes in Cebu City's Gemeinden. This initiative aims to enhance parental knowledge and skills, thus reducing reliance on corporal punishment and encouraging better communication within families. Improved financial management techniques can maximize limited resources, while guidance on alternative discipline strategies could enhance children's psychological and emotional well-being, fostering a more supportive family environment .
The relationship between researchers and participants in qualitative studies should be professional and respectful. Researchers must communicate effectively, clarifying their responsibilities and maintaining open lines for addressing participant concerns. Ethical maintenance involves obtaining voluntary informed consent, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, and mitigating power dynamics that could influence participant responses. This respectful approach fosters trust and mitigates ethical risks throughout the research process .