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Impact of Parental Absence on JHS Students

This study investigates the effects of parental absence on the academic behavior of Junior High School students at La Purisima National High School. It aims to identify the challenges faced by these students, describe their academic behavior, and explore the relationship between parental absence and their study motivation. The findings are intended to inform families, educators, and school administrators to better support affected learners.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
61 views9 pages

Impact of Parental Absence on JHS Students

This study investigates the effects of parental absence on the academic behavior of Junior High School students at La Purisima National High School. It aims to identify the challenges faced by these students, describe their academic behavior, and explore the relationship between parental absence and their study motivation. The findings are intended to inform families, educators, and school administrators to better support affected learners.

Uploaded by

jhmadrigal
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL ABSENCE ON THE ACADEMIC BEHAVIOR

OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN LPNHS

JAIRA C. MADRIGAL
JAYNS REN B. BELTRAN
MICAH KOLIN C. OCCIANO
SHYLA NICOLE B. DECIERRA

SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


LA PURISIMA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR PRACTICAL RESEARCH II

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

2025
CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Parents are usually the first people to teach their children. They meet their

needs, guide their behavior, instill discipline, and encourage them to value

education. Their presence plays a key role in shaping how children build their

study habits and form a positive outlook toward learning. Yet today, many families

face having one or both parents away—whether for work abroad, separation, or

other personal reasons. While their absence may bring financial support, it can

also create emotional and academic challenges.

According to research from the Holy Family Academy, an estimated 2.2 million

Filipino children are currently left behind by parents working overseas,

representing about nine million children nationwide growing up without one or

both parents at home. In the school setting, these challenges manifest in real

ways. Some students struggle to focus, participate, or maintain good study habits

without parental guidance. Others, however, adapt and become more

independent and determined—even when physically apart from their loved ones.

At La Purisima National High School (LPNHS), parental absence is a familiar

reality for many students. Some live with relatives or guardians and continue their

studies with limited oversight. Others feel motivated by the distance—driven to

perform well and make their parents proud. But for some, the absence becomes
a heavy burden that impacts classroom performance and study routines. These

varied experiences underscore the need to understand their struggles and coping

mechanisms more closely—so that the school, their peers, and families can offer

meaningful support.

This study seeks to examine how parental absence influences the academic

behavior of Junior High School students at LPNHS. By exploring their day-to-day

experiences, challenges, and ways of coping, the research aims to provide

insights that guide families, educators, and the school community in better

supporting these learners. Above all, the study also hopes to shine a light on the

resilience of students who continue their learning journey despite being apart

from their parents.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine the effects of parental absence on the

academic behavior of Junior High School students at La Purisima National High

School. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What challenges do JHS students face when their parents are away?

2. What is the academic behavior of Junior High School students with

absent parents?
3. Is there a significant relationship between Parental absence and

student challenges and academic behavior of JHS students?

STATEMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the effects of parental absence on the

academic behavior of Junior High School students at La Purisima National High

School. Specifically, it seeks to:

1. To identify and understand the common challenges students

experience due to parental absence.

2. To describe the academic behavior of JHS students experiencing

parental absence.

3. To determine whether parental absence influences student study

motivation.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on the effects of parental absence on the learning habits of

Junior High School (JHS) students of La Purisima National High School (LPNHS)

for the school year 2025–2026, specifically analyzing how it influences class

participation, study habits, motivation, and overall academic performance among

Grades 7 to 10 students who are partially or completely experiencing parental

absence due to reasons such as overseas employment, family separation, or

other related circumstances. A descriptive and correlational quantitative design

will be used, with survey questionnaires as the main instrument and purposive
sampling to ensure that only students with absent parents are included, while

data will be statistically analyzed to identify patterns, correlations, and significant

differences in academic behavior.

The study is limited to one school, and its findings may not fully represent the

experiences of students in other contexts. The accuracy of the results also

depends largely on the respondents’ honesty in answering the questionnaires,

which may be influenced by their emotions or willingness to disclose information.

Moreover, the study focuses mainly on academic-related factors and does not

examine in depth other possible influences such as peer relationships, teacher

support, or socioeconomic status, and it is further constrained by the limited time

and resources of the researchers, which may affect the depth of the inquiry.

Despite these limitations, the study is expected to provide relevant insights into

the challenges faced by students with absent parents and serve as a reference

for teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors in creating interventions

and support systems for the affected learners.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Parental absence has become a growing reality for many students today, and its

impact on their academic journey cannot be overlooked. Understanding this

situation is important not only for the students themselves but also for the people

and institutions who play a role in shaping their education and development. This
study is therefore significant because it sheds light on how the absence of

parents affects the learning habits, motivation, and performance of Junior High

School students.

The findings of this study will be beneficial to the following:

Students. This study will help students understand how their parents’ absence

can influence their academic performance. By becoming more aware of these

challenges, they may be inspired to work harder, adapt healthier learning habits,

and seek guidance or support when needed.

Teachers. The study can provide teachers with deeper insights into the struggles

faced by learners without parental presence. With this understanding, teachers

can design more responsive teaching strategies and create support systems that

promote both academic progress and emotional well-being.

Parents and Guardians. For parents and guardians, the findings can serve as a

reminder of how their absence affects their children’s education. This awareness

may encourage them to maintain communication and emotional connection, even

from afar, to motivate their children to continue performing well in school.

School Administrators. The results of this research may guide school

administrators in establishing programs and policies that address the needs of

students with absent parents. By doing so, they can strengthen the resources

and support systems available to ensure academic success and proper guidance

for these learners.


Future Researchers. This study may serve as a valuable reference for future

studies on parental absence and its impact on education. It can also encourage

other researchers to explore related issues, contributing to a broader

understanding of how family situations affect students’ learning and

development.
CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The presence of parents plays a vital role in shaping the child’s learning

behavior, discipline, and motivation. When parents are absent due to work,

separation, or other personal reasons, children often face challenges that go

beyond the home and into the school setting. Studies show that parental

involvement remains one of the most important factors influencing a student’s

academic performance and behavior (Epstein, 2018). Without this direct support,

some learners may find it difficult to maintain focus, build good study habits, and

actively participate in class.

Research in the Philippines reflects this same reality. A study by Asis (2019)

discussed how the migration of parents for work abroad provides financial

benefits but often leaves emotional gaps that children must carry, affecting their

motivation and social adjustment. In a similar way, Reyes and Garcia (2020)

found that students with absent parents sometimes show lower academic

engagement compared to those with complete parental support. Yet, not all

outcomes are negative. Other findings suggest that parental absence can also

develop resilience, independence, and self-motivation in some students (Cortes,

2021).

On an international level, research has also emphasized the double-edged effect

of parental absence. Studies in Asia and the United States point out that children
with one or both parents away tend to report higher feelings of loneliness and

academic pressure, but some adapt by finding support from peers and teachers

(Miano, 2022). This adaptation highlights that responses vary widely—some

students thrive despite the absence, while others struggle.

More recent studies continue to stress the importance of school support systems.

According to Santos (2023), teachers and guidance programs play a crucial role

in filling the gaps left by absent parents. Schools that provide strong mentoring,

peer guidance, and extracurricular involvement can help students stay motivated

and disciplined in their academics. The resilience of these learners shows that

while parental absence creates challenges, the right environment can nurture

their growth and determination.

Taken together, the literature shows that parental absence is not simply a

disadvantage but a complex experience that shapes academic behavior in many

ways. For some, it brings hardship and distraction; for others, it becomes a

source of strength. This perspective is important for understanding the situation

of students in La Purisima National High School, where many face similar

circumstances of being away from their parents.

Common questions

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Parental absence at La Purisima National High School influences academic motivation by often leading to difficulties in focus, participation, and maintaining good study habits, as students may lack the direct support normally provided by parents . Challenges include emotional gaps due to the absence, which can affect motivation and social adjustment, as evidenced by studies reflecting lower academic engagement among students with absent parents compared to those with full parental support . However, some students demonstrate increased independence and resilience, driven by a desire to make their absent parents proud .

Junior High School students with absent parents face emotional challenges such as feelings of loneliness and anxiety, which can lead to difficulties in developing strong study habits and maintaining focus in class . Academically, this absence can result in lower participation, motivation, and engagement due to the lack of direct parental encouragement and guidance, severely impacting classroom performance . Despite these challenges, some students adapt by becoming more self-reliant, although the variability in responses highlights a need for tailored support mechanisms .

The study addresses broader societal implications by underscoring how parental absence affects a significant number of children’s educational trajectories, impacting not just individual students but potentially entire communities through its influence on future educational outcomes and workforce readiness . It highlights the need for societal structures, like educational policies and community-based initiatives, to adapt and provide holistic support for children in these situations. Future research could explore the interplay between socioeconomic factors, community support systems, and the role of digital communication in maintaining family ties, thus expanding the context-specific findings of the study at LPNHS into broader educational policy frameworks .

The study at La Purisima National High School illuminates the complex effects of parental absence, highlighting both challenges and adaptive responses of students in academic settings . It provides valuable insights into the mixed impact on motivation, study habits, and resilience, offering a comprehensive view for educators and policy makers focused on support systems. This study acts as a foundational reference for future research to explore extended impacts, refine intervention strategies, and perhaps examine other influences such as socioeconomic factors in a broader context .

The study highlights a significant correlation between parental absence and various aspects of academic behavior, including challenges in maintaining focus and study habits due to the lack of direct parental guidance . There is a noticeable impact on motivation and participation as students might struggle without parental presence, though some develop resilience and independence through these challenges .

The absence of parents due to work abroad creates negative outcomes like emotional instability and disrupted study habits, leading to lower academic engagement for some students . However, it can also result in positive outcomes such as increased resilience, independence, and self-motivation, as some students are driven to perform well to make absent parents proud . The school setting at La Purisima supports this duality through different coping mechanisms facilitated by supportive teachers and programs that aim to fill the void left by absent parents .

Students at La Purisima National High School employ coping mechanisms such as seeking support from peers and teachers to fill emotional and academic gaps left by absent parents. This adaptation varies among students—while some thrive by enhancing independence and self-motivation, others continue to experience difficulties . Schools providing strong mentoring and guidance programs are instrumental in helping students maintain motivation and discipline, showcasing the pivotal role of the school environment in determining successful academic outcomes despite parental absence .

Educators at La Purisima National High School could design interventions that include personalized mentoring programs, mental health support, and enhanced peer collaboration initiatives to support students facing parental absence . Creating a robust support network involving teachers and counselors can help address both emotional and academic gaps, reinforcing positive study habits and motivation. These interventions, informed by the study, would aim to foster a nurturing environment that compensates for the lack of parental presence and supports student resilience and performance .

School support systems at La Purisima National High School compensate for the absence of parental involvement by providing mentoring, peer guidance, and extracurricular activities, which help maintain student motivation and discipline . These systems are crucial, as they offer a substitute form of emotional and academic support that can mitigate the negative effects of parental absence on student performance. Successful implementation of these systems can nurture growth and determination in students, aiding them in maintaining or even enhancing academic performance despite challenges .

Understanding the impact of parental absence on students at LPNHS is crucial for teachers to develop tailored teaching strategies that address specific challenges faced by these students . For parents, it highlights the importance of maintaining communication and emotional ties even when physically distant, as their absence affects their children's learning habits and motivation . School administrators can use this understanding to implement policies and programs that provide targeted interventions and resources, ensuring educational success and emotional well-being for students .

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