Cultural Trauma and Discipline: An Examination of How Narratives of Mythological

Punishers (eg.. kapre. Tilsbalang) Influence a Child's sense of safety and Trust.

A research paper

Submitted to the Faculty of the

Humanities and Social Sciences

Colegio De Montessori

Naic, Cavite
 In partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the subject

Practical Research 1

Ricky Patiño
Ronald Caro
Charlotte Lacsarum
Kheanne Montanes
Kendrick Cabellon
Bianca Fhaye Gonazales
Antonette Bofill
January, 2026
 Cultural Trauma and Discipline: An Examination of how Narratives of Mythological
Punishers (eg.. kapre. Tilsbalang) Influence a Child's sense of safety and Trust

Ricky Patiño
Ronald Caro
Charlotte Lacsarum
Kheanne Montanes
Kendrick Cabellon
Bianca Fhaye Gonazales
Antonette Bofill

A research paper submitted to the Faculty of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Colegio De Montessori,
Naic, Cavite, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the subject Practical Research 1. Prepared under
the supervision of Ms. Ericka Rose N. Asistores.
Introduction

Background of the study

This study focuses on how mythological stories are used by adults to discipline children. In many
places, including the Philippines, parents and guardians tell children stories about supernatural
beings to scare them into behaving properly. These beings are often presented as real, with the
idea that they will harm children if they do not follow their parents’ rules.
In the Philippine context, this practice is still widely accepted and passed down from one
generation to another. Mythological narratives, which are stories rooted in long-standing cultural
traditions, continue to be used as a form of discipline. Despite how common this practice is, many
people still view it as normal and effective, without questioning its possible effects on children.

Most studies about discipline focus on visible forms such as physical punishment or scolding.
However, fear-based discipline that uses stories and myths is rarely examined. Because of this,
there is limited understanding of how these narratives affect children as they grow up, particularly
in terms of their sense of safety and their ability to trust adults.
This study aims to address that gap by exploring how mythological punishers influence children’s
perceptions and how these experiences may shape adults’ views on discipline later in life.
Through this, the research hopes to contribute to discussions on cultural trauma, child
psychology, and parenting practices in contemporary Philippine society.

Statement of the Problem (SOP)

This study seeks to investigate the lived experiences and perceptions of Filipinos concerning the
utilization of mythological figures as a fear-based disciplinary mechanism and its perceived
effects on childhood development and adult psychological health.

1. What examples of mythological punishers exist (ex: Aswang, Kapre, Bumbay) and what
physical/behavioural behaviours they have been intended to control within the Filipino family
structure.

[Link] Childhood experiences significantly influence adult psychological outcomes, affecting

anxiety levels, belief systems, and parenting style

[Link] do participants describe their immediate emotional and behavioral responses to these
fear-based disciplinary tools during their childhood?
Objectives of the study

1. To investigate how Philippine mythology is utilized by parents as a behavioral management

tool for their children, focusing on the perspectives of adults who experienced

2. To identify the ways parents use Philippine mythology to cause fear in order to control their
children's behavior.

3. To determine how narratives of mythological punishers influence a child's sense of safety and
trust.

4. To understand why do adults choose to rely on the fear of mythological punishers instead of
employing non-fear-based disciplinary methods?

Significance of the study

In our study, we can contribute to academic knowledge through the understanding of Cultural
Trauma and how it moves beyond general discussions of parenting to specifically examine how
the intergenerational use of fear (through mythology) may constitute a subtle form of cultural or
psychological trauma. The research also highlights the contemporary relevance of mythological
figures, not merely as entertainment or historical artifacts, but as active agents in the socialization
process. This counters trends that may view these figures as irrelevant in the 21st century.

Through our study we can also inform child psychology and development by determining how
narratives of mythological punishers influence a child's sense of safety and trust, the study offers
insights into the root causes of anxiety, relational trauma, and complex trust issues in adulthood,
particularly among Filipinos

The people who will benefit from our study are:

parents/future parents
This research highlights the importance of maintaining a secure attachment between parent and
child. It reveals how the use of "Mythological Punishers" creates a conflict where the caregiver,
who should be a source of safety, becomes the primary source of fear. This study empowers
parents to protect their child’s internalized sense of trust, ensuring that discipline does not come
at the expense of the child’s foundational mental well-being or their ability to trust authority
figures later in life.

mental health professionals

This study provides clinicians with essential insights into the cultural nuances of Filipino
psychological development. By understanding the role of "mythological punishers" in early
socialization, practitioners can offer more culturally sensitive therapy. This knowledge assists in
identifying the specific roots of hyper-vigilance or trust issues in Filipino clients, allowing
therapists to distinguish between generalized anxiety and trauma specifically encoded through
cultural narratives.
Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focuses on how mythological stories are used by adults as a form of discipline for
children in the Philippine context. It examines how stories about supernatural beings are used to
influence children’s behavior and how these experiences may shape individuals’ views on
discipline, safety, and trust as they grow older. The study uses a qualitative approach and involves
selected adults who grew up in the Philippines and experienced this form of discipline.
Participants are chosen through purposive sampling, and the data are based on their personal
experiences and reflections.

This study has several limitations. Because it is qualitative and uses purposive sampling, the
findings cannot be generalized to the entire population. The study also relies on participants’
memories of their childhood, which may be subjective or incomplete. Time constraints and
possible limitations in conducting face-to-face interviews may affect the depth of the data
collected. Despite these limitations, the study provides insight into a disciplinary practice that is
rarely examined.