Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . .

1.0 Introduction

According to Julia Kagan (2019) a breadwinner is a colloquial term for the primary or
sole income earner in a household. Breadwinners contributed the largest portion of household
income, generally cover most household expenses and financially support their dependents.
Nowadays not everyone has the capability to study and go to school because of different
problems such as financial problem. Some of the students are working while studying just to
continue their study. Family is the basic unit of the society (U.S. Census Bureau 2009), and in the
family, we all known that father is the one who provides the following needs of their family and
the mother is the helping hand, but what if, the mother and father don’t provide enough for the
following needs for their family? This kind of situation is not commonly happened to a normal
family. Normal family supports each other, especially when it comes on financial stability.
Nowadays, students undergoing a situation of being a working-student just to help their parents
not only for their needs but also for their whole family.

Metcalf (2003) stated that the issue might be due to the introduction of student loan, which
provides a large extent government funding for university fees. It is the argued that obtaining debt
as a direct consequence of studying would encourage students to get involved in part time
employment. Even though many countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia, have allocated
specific budget for education by providing scholarships, but not all students have the privilege to
get them. Thus, loans become an alternative for post-graduates students to continue their studies.

The purpose of this study is to determine the reasons of why students became the
breadwinner of the family, what are their struggles as a youth or as student. Also, to determine the
different experiences of breadwinner students, what are the pros and cons of being a student
breadwinner, this study would open the minds just not the student who would encounter this
study but also the youths who’s having the same cases as being a breadwinner student. The
researchers want to determine the reasons of why students engaging for being the breadwinner of
their family. The researcher main objective is to understand, analyze their sample lived
experiences because being breadwinner is different to normal students, being breadwinner is
having many responsibilities; to school, home, family and self. The researchers would like to
enlighten other people that being breadwinner is not a piece of cake, being bread winner is not
easy.

This study would enlighten them to know what to do in the same situation to the
breadwinner students. It would also benefit the teachers, for them to know how to deal and

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 2

interact with these students who are having such difficulties in life as a student and also being a
breadwinner. It would also benefit the Breadwinner Students they would able to reflect to their
past experienced and might give a useful advice. Lastly, it would benefit the researchers to be
able to fully understand the circumstances of the Breadwinner Students and the future
researchers, this study would serve as background study when they would be conducting the same
study. Researchers conduct this study because looking into reality some of people when they
heard the word breadwinner is they are only know that this person is the one who supports the
family, by doing this paper we hope that it would open the mind of others.

1.1 Statement of the Problem

1.) What are the lived experiences of Senior High School breadwinner students from
Dalandanan National High School?

2.) What are the reasons why students became the breadwinner of their family?

3.) What are the effects of being a Senior High School Breadwinning Students?

a. as a student b. as an individual

4.) How did they manage their responsibility?

a. as a student b. as an individual

1.2 Significance of the Study

The study would be beneficial to the breadwinner students, they would get knowledge in
this study because this study is related to themselves, this study would help them what to do in
the situation same to the breadwinner students. It would also benefit the society, they would know
the lived experience of being a breadwinner student. In this study the society would be aware that
being a breadwinner student is not easy. This study would also beneficial to the teacher and
administrator because they would be able to understand if there is something different on
breadwinner student behavior among to the normal students. This research would also beneficial
to the future researchers because this can be serve as basis or guide that would be need for their
study.

Breadwinner Students – the breadwinner would benefit in this study because. This study
would serve as guide to them, they would easily cope to the same situation that they experience as
breadwinner.

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 3

Society – the society would benefit in this study because they would get knowledge that
being breadwinner is not easy especially when they are students, they need to manage their
responsibilities as a students and family breadwinner. This study would encourage the society
especially to the youth, they would encourage to study hard because some of students are not able
to study due to different problems such as financial problems.

Teachers – the teachers and administrators would benefit in this study because they would
easily understand the student if it have a certain problem. For instance, teachers can give advice
to the students because teachers are elders so they are already experience that situation.

Researchers – the future researchers can used this topic by learning and analyzing the data
that we gathered. They would know how a bread winner student experience in their everyday life.
To know what struggles did a bread winner student faces the obstacle in their studies. Not just in
their studies, but also in their personal lives. Not all bread winner students can solve their
problem so easily. Not because they are breadwinner they can do all things, they also need help
from the others.

1.3 Scope and Limitation

The researchers would focused on the study of live experience of Breadwinner Students at
Dalandanan National High School. The collection of data would be conducted to students of
Dalandananan National High School. The study would not cover other problems that are not to
the statement of the problems of the study. The other student which do not fall as a part of
Dalandanan National High School student are not within the scope of the research.

1.4 Definition of Terms

Anonymous: lacking individuality, distinction or recognizability

Breadwinner: the person in a family who works to provide the money that the
family needs to live on

Correlation: a relation existing between phenomena or things or between

mathematical or statistical variables which tend to vary, be
associated, or occur together in a way not expected on the basis
of chance alone.

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 4

Enlighten to give knowledge or understanding to (someone) : to explain

something to (someone)

Ideologies visionary theorizing ; a systematic body of concepts especially

about human life or culture

Post Graduate: a student continuing formal education after graduation from high
school to college

2.0 Review of Related Literature

2.0.1 Role of the Father

The entry into fatherhood is a major life course transition involving the acquisition of new
adult roles and responsibilities. This transition is rarely planned for young fathers, and may
involve a range of challenges, not least their capacity to provide materially and financially for
their child. Drawing on a Qualitative Longitudinal study of young fathers in the UK, this article
charts their very different pathways through education, training and employment, showing how
these are shaped by a constellation of life circumstances. The implications for policy are
considered in the light of a shifting landscape of welfare reform and ‘austerity’ measures. (Neale,
B., & Davies, L., 2015).

2.0.2 Balancing Studying and Working

Students can directly relate the experienced of working part-time to enhance and
improve their academic knowledge, motivation and employment prospects (Curtis & Shani,
2002; Curtis & Williams, 2002). Consequently, a number of researches have concluded that
a combination of financial needs and the opportunity to gain experiences will
ultimately enhance career opportunities in the future (Harvey, 2000; Devlin, James & Grigg,
2008; Nonis & Hudson, 2006).

According to the research conducted by Watts and Pickering (2000), while working
part-time and studying full-time has a variety of positive outcomes, respondents generally
viewed part-time employment as a necessity to survive in the contemporary higher education
sphere. In Manthei and Gilmore’s (2005) study, it is said that the money earned from part-
time employment was typically spent on essential living expenses. mxc

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 5

From the perspective of students themselves, part-time work is often an introduction to

the real world which will assist them both in personal and career development especially
in higher education sector (Tymon, 2013; Tomlinson, 2007). Higher education institutions
should identify opportunities to increase the extent to which students could be more familiar
with work and expose them to educational, part-time vocational and career experiences (Yorke,
2004; Glover, Law & Youngman, 2002).

A variety of studies have examined the impacts of part-time employment on full-time

students. Manthei and Gilmore (2005), for instance, considered that working part-time leaves
less desired time to study. In addition, Jogaratnam and Buchanan (2004) stated that new
students who choose to do part-time job while having full-time academic load were most
likely to suffer from stress. As many studies suggested, indeed a combination of full-time
studying and part-time working can have a detrimental effect in the physical and mental
health of students. It can create the negative effect on academic performance (Hovdhaugen,
2015; Creed, French & Hood, 2015; Darolia, 2014).

2.0.3 Filipino Breadwinners

As Filipinos, we take pride in looking out of the needs of our families and loved ones. It’s
an obligation that arises not out of force but by habit, that sense of familial love inculcated to us
at a young age. Perhaps, it’s no wonder that most Filipinos, even after marriage, extend this duty
to help with the finances of aging parents or grandparents, a cash-strapped brother or sister, or
niece going to college.

What’s harder is to become the sole breadwinner of a household. Being a single parent or
the provincial eldest son or daughter solely working in the family, one is tasked to meet the needs
of family member from foods to education to daily living experiences. (Inquirer 2019)

2.0.4 Understanding of Young Adult Breadwinning: the Baseco experience

In the Philippines, because of the lack of job opportunities, housewives are forced to seek
employment overseas. Migrant Filipino women became “transnational breadwinners” (Rei-chai
lan, 2003) in the host countries. Meanwhile, majority of the local Filipino Workers are still
working in the local industry having limited opportunity to earn more for the family. These
workers have no other choice but to grab these jobs just to earn something and save their families
from starvation. Regrettably, these women were subjected to low pay, long hours, and informal

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 6

working arrangements (ILO, 2011). As a result these women are more exposed to the risk of
poverty which is higher as compared to their male counterpart in informal employment.

These young adults are residents of a popular depressed area in Tondo, Manila – Baseco.
Baseco is a community which is a perfect representation of the entire informal settlers’ condition
in the Philippines. Most children here are not given the right opportunities to finish education
which is provided for free by the government. The usual reason of the parents during the initial
and informal sharing made by the author with them was the lack of money. They admitted that
instead of sending their children to school, they are force to engage in menial jobs for a fee. These
job help them cope with their basic needs daily, at least for food. According to Aldrin Tenirfe
(2013) he stated that there is sudden jump in their role from being students to a young adult
breadwinners.

2.0.5 Being young and a breadwinner

Being the breadwinner of your family when you’re still young can be a very tough
situation to be in. A "breadwinner" is the person in a household who is financially responsible for
the family’s survival. Unfortunately, many young women find themselves in this situation for
some reason or another. If you’re one of these young women, even if the circumstances are tough,
here are a few things you should know.

If you had plans to study further or even starting your own business, you shouldn’t let the
pressure of having to provide make you feel like you can’t still do those things. Even if they can’t
happen as soon as you hoped they would, your dreams are still valid. If you’re interested in
studying, there are part-time courses that are available. And there are many ways you can get
funding for that great business idea you might have - The People’s Fund is just one of the options
out there. ( Choma 2016)

2.0.6 Youth Employment

According to Julia Koppich (2000) as many as 76 percent of youth in the United States are
working, or have worked, in paid employment by age sixteen. Researchers differ regarding the
impact of work on adolescents' academic achievement. Some studies conclude that work provides
students with useful skills and attributes, among them instilling a sense of responsibility and
heightening students' sense of self-efficacy, and that these have a positive spillover effect in
school. However, other research concludes that work is just a distraction for most students, in that
it competes with school for students' time and attention.

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 7

Of course, students work for different reasons. Some students are significant breadwinners
for their families. Their earnings represent an important part of the families' income. Some
students work specifically to save money for college. Most studies, however, show that the vast
majority of students who work do so to earn spending money for things they want to buy.

Research has shown that the amount of time a student works is a factor in determining
employment's impact on educational performance. For students working twenty or fewer hours
per week, few problems seem to arise. But for students working more than twenty hours per
week, work can present education-related problems where the job takes precedence over school.

Schools do not exist in a vacuum. A host of factors contribute to students' prospects for
academic success. Some students come to school with all they need: stable and supportive
families, adequate financial resources, and good health. For students who do not enjoy these
advantages, making provision to help them meet outside-of-school challenges can provide just the
boost they need to succeed in school.

2.1 Theoretical Framework

2.1.1 Theory of Moral Responsibility

This theory is specifically for individual’s responsibilities. P. F. Strawson's theory of moral

responsibility is assumed to involve three theses. First, morally responsibility is interpersonal
because the nature of being responsible is essentially linked to the practices and norms of holding
responsible. Second, holding responsible is to be understood by reference to morally reactive
attitudes, which are a collection of emotions that are elicited in response to the perceived quality
of will in the behavior of a morally responsible agent. Third, holding responsible is more
fundamental or basic than being responsible, and so the latter should be explained in terms of the
former. In this chapter, the first two Strawsonian theses are advanced, while the third is rejected.
The first two are developed in a manner consistent with there being facts about being responsible
and about the propriety of holding responsible. These interpersonal features of the theory are
explained by comparison with a ledger theory of responsibility whereby being morally
responsible is simply a matter of facts about an agent obtaining independently of considerations
of holding morally responsible. The third is rejected in favor of explicating being and holding
responsible as mutually dependent such that neither is metaphysically more basic than the other.
(P.F. Strawson, 2012)

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 8

The relation of this theory in our study is that basically the breadwinning is already an
individual’s responsibility. In this theory stated that the norms of holding a responsibility is
commonly linked on responsible people, like our respondents, they are responsible for being the
breadwinner of their family. Having a responsibility such breadwinning is very difficult because
it is not an easy responsibility, you need to become responsible not only for the others but
specially for yourself, be responsible for the responsibility because breadwinning is a major
responsibility.

3.0 Methodology

3.1 Research Design

The researchers used Qualitative Approach and Phenomenological Research Design

according Lambert (2012) he stated that the goal of qualitative descriptive studies is a
comprehensive summarization, in everyday terms, of specific events experienced by individuals.
In addition, researchers used Phenomenological research design according to Byme (2001) he
stated that Phenomenology is one of many types Qualitative research that examines the lived
experience of humans.

Phenomenological researchers hope to gain understanding the essential “truths” of lived

experience. The researchers used Phenomenological research design because the study is focused
on the lived experience of Breadwinner Students. According to Cresswell (2013) he stated that
Phenomenological Research Design is qualified as research design because the fundamental goal
of this design is to arrive at a description of the nature of the particular phenomenon, it focuses on
the lived experiences.

3.2 Research Locale

The study is conducted at Dalandanan National High School located at 258 G. Lazaro
Street, Valenzuela, 1443 Metro Manila who experience being a young breadwinner. The
researcher chose to conduct a study at Dalandanan National High School to provide a strong
knowledge and appreciation for the young breadwinners.

The researchers chose Dalandanan National High School because Dalandanan National
High School is a K-12 accredited school of Department of Education (2019) with Technical
Vocational Livelihood track. According to Gunderson (2012) she stated that some students of
Technical Vocational Education Students are working students, she stated that some of working

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 9

students are working for financial support of their family. According to Meisenbach (2010) she
stated that breadwinners are the one who support for financial need of the family.

3.3 Population and Sampling

The research study utilized Non-Probability Design and Snowball Sampling Technique.
The researchers used the Snowball sampling technique in choosing desired respondents for the
study. According to Timothy Johnson (2014) he stated that Snowball sampling is a well-known,
nonprobability method of survey sample selection that is commonly used to locate hidden
populations. This method relies on referrals from initially sampled respondents to other persons
believed to have the characteristics of interest. Limitations of this approach include non-random
selection procedures, correlations between network size and selection probabilities, reliance on
the subjective judgments of informants, and confidentially concerns advantages include cost and
efficiency. The criteria should be Breadwinner Senior High School Adolescents Students (18-20
years old) at Dalandanan National High School who work financially support to their family and
also a student.

3.4 Research Ethics

To treat the respondents ethically and responsibly is the utmost concern of the researchers
Myers (2012). Researchers are obliged to use an informed consent that contains purpose of the
study, significance, risk and benefits that the respondents ought to know and understand.
Researcher must be confidential to the data or information that they gathered to the respondents.
For instance, the information that been given must not copy for the other articles without giving
consent or credits to the author. The respondents will remain anonymous throughout the study to
protect their identity and privacy. In addition, proper citation of authors must be strictly included
to avoid the accusations of plagiarism.

3.5 Research Instruments

3.5.1 Interview Questionnaire

The researcher used a semi-structured interview, questionnaire, informed consent, pen and
paper, and recorder. A semi-structure interview is a meeting in which the interviewer does not
strictly follow list of questions. They will ask more open-ended questions, allowing for a
discussion with the interviewee rather than a straight forward question and answer format. The
interviewer may prepare a list of questions but does not necessarily ask them all, or touch on them

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 10

in any particular order, using them instead to guide the conversation. In some cases, the
interviewer will prepare only a list of general topics to be addressed, called an interview guide.
(Alison Doyle, 2019)

The researcher used a semi – structured interview guide that can be used as reliable source
in the study. The researcher would provide an interview questionnaire that have open-ended
questions, that rely on the statement of the problem.

3.5.2 Screening Tool

The researchers used screening tool before one-on-one interview with the respondents.
Researchers must provide a screening list if the respondents are qualify to the criteria that been
need to the study, if the respondents are qualify to the statement of the problem and the topic. The
criteria are the following: breadwinner students that studying.

3.5.3 Informed Consent

Informed consent is a voluntary agreement to participate in research. It is not merely a

form that is signed but is a process. In which the subject has understanding of the research and its
risk. Informed consent must be obtains of all types of human subject research including:
diagnostic, therapeutic, social and behavioral studies and for research conducted domestically or
abroad. Obtaining consent involves informing the subject about his or her rights, the purpose of
the study, the procedures to be undergone and the potential and risk and benefits and
participation. For instance, subjects in the study must participate willingly. (Dalar Shahnazarian,
2017).

3.5.4 Pen and Paper

Researchers used pen and paper before proceeding on one-on-one interview to the
respondents. Weibel (2012) pen and paper practices in observational research and their
integration with ChronoViz, a tool for annotating, visualizing, and analyzing multimodal data. As
the data gathered from researchers, it would be the basis of information that been collected from
the respondents.

3.5.5 Recorder

The researchers used recorder as instrument to record spoken data. The recorded interview
is a data file that can be basis for the information that been gathered from the respondents.

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School

Bringing Home the Bacon: Lived . . . 11

According to Diane Thompson (2000) the audiotape-recorder is a commonplace instruments

often used to record spoken data.

3.6 Data Collection

First, the researchers made an Interview Questionnaire that would serve as guide that would
be approved by the research adviser before conducting the collection of data. Second, the
researcher would look for 5 Breadwinner students at Dalandanan National High School. The
researchers would utilize the screening tool to find the suitable subjects, if they passed
researchers would giving informed consent to their samples of they agreed to be interviewed, it is
the permission granted in the knowledge of the possible samples. Then researchers would
introduce themselves and their study. Third, the respondents would be interviewed the
researchers. The researcher would ask follow up questions for additional information but only for
purposes connected to the study. The interviewed would be recorded. Fourth, to formally end the
interview, the researchers would show gratitude to the respondents for sharing their experiences
and giving their time to be interviewed in order to make the study possible. Lastly, the collected
data from the respondents would be transcribed and analyze by the researchers.

3.7 Data Analysis

The researchers used Thematic Analysis it is one of the most common forms of analysis in
Qualitative research. It emphasizes pinpointing, examining, and recording patterns within data.
Themes are patterns across data sets that are important to the description of a phenomenon and
are associated to a specific research question. (Braun and Clarke, 2006).

The answers of the respondents were analyzed to identify, describe about the experiences
of a Breadwinner Students. Data were collected by constructing group-administered questionnaire
with cover letter informing the respondents on the topic of the research study and assure the
confidentiality of their identities. Thematic analysis is used to identify main themes that
summarized all the views collected on the topic.

Our Lady of Fatima University Senior High School