Istambay Analysis

I. Introduction

Istambay, a Visayan transliteration of the English word “stand by” meaning to hang
around, which generally refers to bystanders. A stereotypical istambay is usually male, a school
drop-out, unemployed, or lazy. In our country Philippines, this is some of our major problem
because the number of istambay are increasing especially the youth. The istambay’s

inactivity is believed to be associated with his propensity for engaging in socially-

problematized behaviors such as smoking, drinking, drug abuse, gambling, and violence. They
are converging in public spaces called “tambayan” like street corners, basketball courts, or in any
open area where they can hang out. They share the common experience of having no defined role
or status because of their inactivity or being unproductive.

II. Body

Based from the research of the sociologist Clarence Batan the Istambay: A Sociological
Analysis of Youth Inactivity in the Philippines, that there are three salient issues in the lives of
istambay the familial poverty, non-conversion of institutionalized cultural capital, and blocked
social mobility. Poverty in the families was observed as the fundamental core of their struggle. In
our country there are still lot of youth that has no access in education and cannot afford to go to
school, this causes the lack of employment of the people in the future. Also, education and
employment are restricted here in our country. Such restriction further marginalizes those youths
with insufficient resources to compete for studying in the best school and to apply for the best
job. This restricted system here in our country causes those istambay to experience inactivity and
for them to struggle in finding secure job. Intertwined with the institutionalize cultural capital
crisis was the blocked social mobility which further demonstrated the entrenchment of istambay
into inactivity. It revealed how unemployment / underemployment in the Philippines has taken
the greatest toll on young Filipinos, least educated and college educated alike, a situation that has
bred more istambays. Close familial ties prevalent in Filipino culture also contribute proliferation
of istambay in our country. The closeness of typical Filipino family provides sustenance and
shelter for the istambay, allowing them to survive jobless. As a result, it teaches those istambay
to depend on their parents or relative instead. Inability of government to fully address social
problems also failed them. This lead some of them to desire and seek employment abroad since
there is less opportunity here in our country. But as for me, one great reason as well is being
lazy. Struggle in finding a job nor in studying is just normal but the problem is that most
istambay choose to give up and wait for the opportunity to come instead of trying their best to
find job.

III. Propose Solution

As youth peer educator problems regarding my fellow youth will always be my concern
and knowing that most istambay now days are youth, I think the best solution for that is to build
a louder voice for the government to finally see this situation in our society. First I think the
solution for this problem will always start at home. Parents should not tolerate their children for
being istambay, parents should always be the one to educate them and open their mind about the
importance of education and planning for their future if not, then I believe that this is the time
where government or just even barangay officials or SK members to do somethings. They might
host or seminars to educate this people. We could start by building a training program to give
them opportunity to learn which they can use for livelihood or business such as baking, cooking,
and others. I think government should bang and give people or youth equal access in education
not just in manila or other city but in Philippines as a whole since that is one main reason for
unemployment now a day that alter peoples’ life. Also to give people more opportunity to be in
workplace since in our country we have less opportunity that leads other people to work abroad
instead.

IV. Conclusion

We view those istambay as troublemakers, as someone lazy, and such that we tend to
neglect them instead. Now, I think it is time for us to open our eyes to analyze their situation. Let
as open our eyes to our own biases and stereotypes views for istambay. We need to stop
criticizing them but instead build understanding to address this issues since it will also benefit us
as a community if we finally eradicate istambay in our society. Government and people must
work together and find the best solution for the problem.

V. References:
Batan C. (2010) Istambay: A Sociological Analysis of Youth Inactivity in The Philippines.
Info from: https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/handle/10222/12734

Final Output in
Discipline and Ideas in
Social Sciences

Submitted to: Ms. Nicole Joy R. Tapican

Submitted by: Shealtiel Kyze S. Cahilig