Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Rodriguez, Rizal

CAUSES OF EARLY PARENTHOOD IN BARANGGAY SAN JOSE

RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL

An Undergraduate Thesis Presented to the Faculty

College of Social Work and Community Development

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Rodriguez, Rizal

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK

Banico, Jhon Juan R.

Flores, Erica A.

Magno, Sophia Claire M.

Manalo, Lovely D.

2021
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CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Parenthood is a state of being a parent and having responsibilities involve to

respond to the necessity of the family. As stated of Department of Health (DOH)

Responsible Parenthood is defined in the Directional Plan of POPCOM, is the will and

ability of parents to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children.  It is

a shared responsibility of the husband and the wife to determine and achieve the

desired number, spacing, and timing of their children according to their own family life

aspirations, taking into account psychological preparedness, health status, socio-

cultural, and economic concerns.

Particularly the roles of the father in the family are to ensure proper upbringing of

his children and to meet their needs. They are the ones who provide the needs of their

family and responsible enough in their actions to lead and guide them. It is the usual

thing that fathers do. But in these present generation, many of young men become a

father at an early age.

Early Fatherhood is the situation wherein young men become a father but they

are not yet ready to face the obligations and responsibilities of it. The researchers focus

on causes of early fatherhood. The main objective of this research is to determine which

of the causes affects their decision to common early parenthood. The result of the

research may sum up the real ups and downs of a social situation. Like the child that

will
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bear from it. The researchers have observed also the importance of the youth not only

on the young women but also on the opposite sex.

Everything in this world always has a purpose in terms of many things and many

ways, positively or not. The purpose of these research is to give an amount information

to all readers about early fatherhood such what are they reasons to become an early

parent, why they need to do that kind of activity and how young they are starting to get

involved in sex. This research will be conducted to give an importance to those men

who commit early fatherhood and face difficulties during that time. Moreover, this topic

also concluded teenage pregnancy, so this research will be important in the recognition

of the young men. This will be emphasizing the young men also need freedom from

judgement and to be accepted by their community.

Sajul, Paras and Sumargo (2014) stated that “Becoming a father at the

right age is different from becoming a dad at a young age. The world is still a mystery

and the world are still full of questions when you’re a teenager. Ages 13 to 19 are times

when one is at the peak of finding himself. There is no question as to why being a father

at this stage will be a difficult experience. Throughout the experience, there will be no

other person one can turn to when talking about the parental life because what the

teenage father is experiencing is a whole lot different from an adult father. The level of

maturity, pressure and education will be tested as one becomes a teenage dad.”
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Background of the study

Parenthood is one of the issues in our society that the country is experiencing

right now. Wherein young men become a father at the young age and not yet ready to

face obligations and responsibilities. According to Young Adults’ Fertility and Sexual

Study (YAFS) reveals a large proportion of the young people engaged in premarital

sex. Approximately of them does not use contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy.

What is more concerning is the fact that the great majority of this youth are unwilling

and unprepared to become parent. (Reymundo and Diaz, 2013). How ever it is not

stated in YAFS how many percent in Filipino youths are males. It was not also stated

whether the partners of female youth at risk of parenthood are adolescents themselves.

But given indirect fact, we can safely say that the issue of adolescent father in

Philippines is not an isolated case but also a societal issue that needs to be addressed

and at least looked into.

With the implementation of Republic Act 10354 The Responsible Parenthood and

Reproductive Health Act of 2012 Section 4 (v), discussed the Responsible parenthood

refers to the will and ability of a parent to respond to the needs and aspirations of the

family and children, likewise a shared responsibility between parents. Parents will be

aware and have a deeper perception about their responsibility to their family and

children.
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Theoretical Framework

Family System Theory

The family systems theory is a theory introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen that

suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another, but rather

as a part of their family, as the family is an emotional unit. Families are systems of

interconnected and interdependent individuals, none of whom can be understood in

isolation from the system.

According to Bowen, a family is a system in which each member had a role to

play and rules to respect. Members of the system are expected to respond to each

other in a certain way according to their role, which is determined by relationship

agreements. Within the boundaries of the system, patterns develop as certain family

member's behavior is caused by and causes other family member's behaviors in

predictable ways. Maintaining the same pattern of behaviors within a system may lead

to balance in the family system, but also to dysfunction. For example, if a husband is

depressive and cannot pull himself together, the wife may need to take up more

responsibilities to pick up the slack.

The change in roles may maintain the stability in the relationship, but it may also

push the family towards a different equilibrium. This new equilibrium may lead to
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dysfunction as the wife may not be able to maintain this overachieving role over a long

period of time.

There are eight interlocking concepts in Dr. Bowen's theory:

Triangles: The smallest stable relationship system. Triangles usually have one side in

conflict and two sides in harmony, contributing to the development of clinical problems.

Differentiation of self: The variance in individuals in their susceptibility to depend on

others for acceptance and approval.

Nuclear family emotional system: The four relationship patterns that define where

problems may develop in a family.

- Marital conflict

- Dysfunction in one spouse

- Impairment of one or more children  

- Emotional distance

Family projection process: The transmission of emotional problems from a parent to a

child.

Multigenerational transmission process: The transmission of small differences in the

levels of differentiation between parents and their children. 

Emotional cutoff: The act of reducing or cutting off emotional contact with family as a

way managing unresolved emotional issues.

Sibling position: The impact of sibling position on development and behavior.

Societal emotional process: The emotional system governs behavior on a societal level,

promoting both progressive and regressive periods in a society.

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Transition to parenthood: systems theory, developmental theory, role theory, and

dialectical theory.

Systems theory

The examination of a family as a system is a popular theoretical and therapeutic

approach. One of the primary dimensions of a family system is the interdependence

among the members and how what happens to one member affects the entire system.

The addition of a baby makes a dyad (the spousal couple) a triad and therefore adds

complexity to the system. That is, prior to the baby's arrival there are three subsystems:

each individual person and the relationship between the couple. After the baby is born,

seven subsystems exist: each individual person, three possible dyadic relationships

(e.g., mother and child, mother and father, father and child), and the relationship

between all three together.

For some systems therapists (e.g., Minuchin 1974) the strain felt after a child is

born is due to competition between the spousal subsystem and the parental

subsystems: that is, the spousal relationship may be compromised through the

additional demand of raising a child.

Cowan and Cowan's five dimensions epitomize a systems perspective, as applied to

new parents. An example they use to link various areas is offered: "Think, for example,

of a man who feels anxious about becoming a new father (inner life) and wants to be

more involved with his child than his father was with him (quality of relationships in

family of origin) but feels pressured by the demands of his job (stress outside the
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family). Once the baby is born, he may have difficulty negotiating new family roles and

decisions with his wife (quality of the marriage)" (Cowan and Cowan 1992, p. 6). One

can see from this example that the myriad areas of one's life are all connected and that

a change (the baby) in one area can affect all other areas.

Developmental theory. 

A theory held by many researchers is a stage model of family development.

Rossi (1968), who helped shift the focus from "crisis" to "transition," did so with the

understanding that a transition implies a movement from one stage to another, in this

case a movement from pre-parenthood to parenthood. Other researchers have echoed

this assumption, including the identification of the transition as a normal developmental

event for married adults (Miller and Sollie 1980), the examination of the family life cycle

during the transition (Entwisle and Doering 1981), and how pregnancy and parenthood

progress from one stage to the next (Feldman and Nash 1984).

The important points to be taken from a developmental approach is that the

transition to parenthood may be (1) a normal change involving a move from one stage

of life to another and (2) that inhabiting a different life stage may change many aspects

of one's life, including relationships and self-identity.

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Role theory. 

The third theory used in understanding the transition to parenthood is role theory.

The addition of the child is often discussed in terms of the additional, and subsequently

strained, role obligations of the marital couple. Cowan and colleagues (1985) have

examined role strain during the transition to parenthood using a "pie" analogy. Individual

spouses are asked to both list and divide their main roles (on a circle) before and after

the birth of their child.

Results from the pie indicate clearly that the roles of partner and lover get smaller

while the role of parent gets larger with the advent of parenthood.

The findings from research using a role related approach during the transition to

parenthood include:

There is an increase in role segregation, and discrepant perceptions of role

performances, by spouses (Cowan et al. 1978);

More traditional roles are enacted during parenthood (McHale and Huston 1985);

Wives who did not see female sex-typed attributes in themselves (relative to those who

saw themselves in sex-stereotyped ways) were more apt to evaluate their marriage less

favorably after the birth of the child (Belsky, Lang, and Huston 1986);

Role strain is more successfully predicted from both husband-and-wife measures

which "underlines the point that becoming a parent is a couple experience as well as an

individual experience" (Feldman 1987, p. 29);

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One or both spouses may "feel trapped in the 'foreverness' of the parent role"

(Cowan et al. 1985, p. 476); and

Spouses learn to enact and negotiate the role of parent through their ongoing

interactions with each other (Stamp 1994).

Dialectical theory. 

The transition to parenthood can also be examined through dialectical theory, an

approach concerned with understanding the inherent contradictions that occur in family

life. These contradictions include autonomy versus connectedness, expressive versus

instrumental communication, and stability versus change.

The tension between autonomy for self-versus connection with other is

particularly pronounced after the birth of a child. Nicolina Fedele and her colleagues

explain:

Since parenthood involves negotiating commitments to self and to others, the

dialectic between autonomy and affiliation becomes highlighted around the transition to

parenthood. The search for the balance between self and other affects the marital

relationship and the parent-child relationship. Parenting provides a unique and complex

interaction of affiliation and autonomy since each individual in the family unit—mother,

father, and child—is in some way negotiating the dilemma, but in reference to one

another. (1988, p. 96)

One of the most typical experiences that spouses feel after the birth of a baby is

"constrained autonomy" or "the overwhelming feeling that one's sense of independence

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is severely compromised by factors outside one's control" (Stamp and Banski 1992, p.

285–286). The ways in which the autonomy of a new parent is affected include having

less time for oneself, having to restructure activities, and the addition of new and difficult

tasks related to childcare.

A second dialectic is the dialectic between expressiveness and instrumentality.

Rossi (1968) discussed expressive and instrumental functions in her seminal paper on

the transition to parenthood. She concluded that "the role of father, husband, wife, or

mother, each has these two independent dimensions of authority and support,

instrumentality and expressiveness, work and love" (p. 37) and that role conflict is

present whenever these polarities are required.

One of the ways a marriage changes after the birth of a baby is from a

relationship primarily focused on emotional expression to one focused on instrumental

aspects (Belsky et al. 1983). In addition, marital satisfaction is correlated with this

change; marital quality goes down as the relationship becomes more instrumental

(Belsky et al. 1983; McHale and Huston 1985).

A third dialectic is between stability and change, which involves the struggle

between the couple to maintain the predictable patterns within their relationship while

attempting to adapt to the changes within their life due to the pregnancy and new baby.

During the transition to parenthood pronounced change is occurring within a formerly

stable union.
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These three dialectics—autonomy/affiliation, expressiveness/instrumentality,

stability/change—are clearly experienced during the transition to parenthood and

present dilemmas and opportunities for spouses to solve.

Conceptual Framework

This Conceptual Framework shows the demographic profile of the early father

and the Causes of being early fatherhood and their obligation and responsibility.

Input Process Output

Age Survey
Educational Questionnaire/
Attainment
Causes of Early
Total Monthly Parenthood
Income
Interview
Number of
children
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Statement of the Problem

The objective of the study is to identify the case of Early Fatherhood in Barangay

San Jose Rodriguez, Rizal.

Specifically, the researchers sought to answer the following questions.

1.) What is the background of the respondents in terms of?

1.1 Age

1.2 Educational Attainment

1.3 Total Monthly Income

1.4 Number of children

2.) What are the factors that causes of Early Parenthood?

3.) What are the problems encountered by Early Parenthood?

3.1 Birth order

Significance of the Study

The researchers expect that the result of this study would help the following;

Teachers.

This study helped the educators to understand the inconsistencies

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between their views and reactions of their students. It is important for our teachers to

recognize the situation of their students not only inside the school but also inside their

home. Understanding this can increase the teacher’s ability to respond to their student.

Parents.

The findings of this study will be directly help to parents in the society in guiding

and taking responsibility on their children. It will also give knowledge in taking good care

of their children.

Students.

This study will give reliable information to the students. It will give them enough

knowledge prior to “Early Parenthood”, in this case the students will be able to know

how and why it is happening in the society, most particularly, in young ages among 13-

19 years old in teenage boys.

Future Researchers.

This study helps the future researchers to have prior knowledge about Early

Parenthood and be the basis for future reference. To let them know that this is a major

problem in the society

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Scope and Limitation

The study is focused on the causes of Early Fatherhood when grouped according

to their age in Barangay San Jose Rodriguez, Rizal Academic Year 2021. The

respondents of this study are selected early father ages 16-19 years old. The study

used a Survey Questioner as research instrument. The data have been gathered may

become helpful to determine the Causes of Early Parenthood.

Definition of Terms

Parenthood - the state of being a parent specifically: the position, function, or standing

of a parent.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenthood

Fatherhood - Fatherhood is the state of being a father. “A father has

four responsibilities -- one, to influence and impart values; two, to confer a healthy

identity; three, to provide security, especially emotional security; four, to affirm potential.

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fatherhood#:~:text=Fatherhood%20is%20the

%20state%20of,when%20they%20become%20a%20father.

https://familiesforlife.sg/celebrate-an-occasion/Pages/The-Many-Roles-of-a-Father.aspx
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Premarital Sex - “Premarital sex” means sexual intercourse before marriage,

whether marriage with that sexual partner or anyone else. Although child sexual abuse

is technically premarital sex, it is not covered in this entry.

https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-94-007-0753-

5_3413#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPremarital%20sex%E2%80%9D%20means%20sexual

%20intercourse,not%20covered%20in%20this%20entry.

Adolescent - Adolescence, transitional phase of growth and development between

childhood and adulthood. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines

an adolescent as any person between ages 10 and 19. This age range falls within

WHO's definition of young people, which refers to individuals between ages 10 and 24.

https://www.britannica.com/science/adolescence

Marital Conflict – Marital conflict is not just a difference of opinion. Rather, it is a series

of events that have been poorly handled so as to deeply damage

the marriage relationship. Marriage issues have festered to the point that

stubbornness, pride, anger, hurt and bitterness prevent

effective marriage communication.

https://www.google.com/search?

q=Marital+Conflict&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH928PH928&oq=Marital+Conflict&aqs=chrome..

69i57.1612j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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Equilibrium – a state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.

equal balance between any powers, influences, etc.; equality of effect. mental or

emotional balance;

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/equilibrium#:~:text=a%20state%20of%20rest

%20or,her%20to%20lose%20her%20equilibrium.

Pie Analogy – Grow the Pie is an expression used in macroeconomics to refer to the

assertion that growing the economy of a nation as a whole creates more availability of

wealth and work opportunities than does redistribution of wealth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grow_the_Pie_(phrase)#:~:text=January%202017),than

%20does%20redistribution%20of%20wealth.

Constrained Autonomy - The present study examines the influence of constrained

autonomy and incentives on the experience of freedom in decision-making in everyday

settings. We tested the prediction that both factors constitute independent influences on

the experience of freedom against the alternative that an incentive might outbalance the

influence of a constraint.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09515089.2014.951718
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CHAPTER II

RESEARCH DESIGH AND METHODOLOGY

Research Design

A Qualitative method is an exploratory research so it was used in this study in

order to present and gather information needed regarding to the Causes of Early

Fatherhood.

This research used phenomenological research design. Phenomenological

describes the liked experiences of the respondents. So phenomenological research

method was used the researcher to relies on own participant perspective regarding with

their experience or prior knowledge.

Setting of the Study

The researchers conducted the research in the Barangay San Jose in Rodriguez,

Rizal. San Jose is a barangay in the municipality of Rodriguez, in the province of Rizal.

Its population as determined by the 2015 Census was 124,868. This represented

33.82% of the total population of Rodriguez. According to the 2015 Census, the age

group with the highest population in San Jose is 10 to 14, with 13,724 individuals.

Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 80 and over, with 384

individuals. Combining age groups together, those aged 14 and below, consisting of the

the young dependent population which include infants/babies, children and young
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adolescents/teenagers, make up an aggregate of 32.70% (40,834). Those aged 15 up

to 64, roughly, the economically active population and actual or potential members of

the work force, constitute a total of 64.39% (80,400). Finally, old dependent population

consisting of the senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, total 2.9 The computed Age

Dependency Ratios mean that among the population of San Jose, there are 51 youth

dependents to every 100 of the working age population; there are 5 aged/senior citizens

to every 100 of the working population; and overall, there are 55 dependents (young

and old-age) to every 100 of the working population. The median age of 24 indicates

that half of the entire population of San Jose are aged less than 24 and the other half

are over the age of 24.1% (3,634) in all. The population of San Jose grew from 15,222

in 1990 to 124,868 in 2015, an increase of 109,646 people. The latest census figures in

2015 denote a positive growth rate of 2.70%, or an increase of 16,282 people, from the

previous population of 108,586 in 2010. San Jose is situated at approximately 14.7541,

121.1395, in the island of Luzon. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 40.0

meters or 131.2 feet above mean sea level.

The researchers chose this particular barangay in Rodriguez, Rizal because the

researchers caught it attention mainly because of the increasing population as the time

goes by. Since the barangay San Jose are centered in our municipality researchers

focused their study inside this community.

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Subject of the Study

The respondents of the study were chosen by Purposive sampling, the

researcher used this sampling to find a respondents that was became early fathers at

the age of 16 to 19 years old. The respondents were Men that became fathers at 16 to

19 years old, they were total of twenty-five (25) respondents them were interviewed by

the researchers on the list of questions that prepared by the researchers,

Researchers Instrument

The researcher used a one-on-one interview with survey questionnaire towards

the respondents for them to tell their experiences, thought or feeling freely.

Research Procedures

The process where the researchers conduct an interview based on survey that

includes the respondents experience and thoughts on the said title. Conducting the

Interview on selected respondents of Baranggay San Jose Rodriguez, Rizal. In regards

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of the current pandemic, the researchers oath to follow the safety health protocol while

having the interview.