Partial fulfillment

In

Phillo-1

Political Maturity of College Students

Submitted to : Prof. Roberto O. Miclat

Submitted by: Eldon Kyle M. Jubane

Genivi E. Menoza

Kent Adonis L. Bula

Stephen Z. Anotado

Ernesto M. Hingpit

Jerson Pamonag

Fe G. Amay

Rizal Memorial Colleges

 List of tables

Pages Contents

1. _____________________________________ approval sheet

2. _____________________________________acknowledgement

3. __________________________________________dedication

CHAPTER 1
4-5._______________________________________ _ I. Introduction
6.______________________________ II. Theoretical and conceptual
Framework
III. Statement of the Problem
7.___________________________________________IV. Hypothesis
V. Significance of study
8._______________________________ Scope and Limitation of Study
9._________________________________________Definition of terms

CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
 CHAPTER 1:

PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

I. Introduction

 As time went by, the young generation in the 21st century, or most commonly known as
‘millennials’ became more dominant, and have played an important role in the society.
With the recent news about the different happenings in the politics of the Philippines, the
younger generations are expected to participate in the discussions related to the matter.
This is because they are exposed to use mass media. Different platforms, especially in social
media, can make many students politically aware. However, many students these days are
naturally disengaged on this matter. In relation, one of the main factors as to why young
people think politics cannot change anything is because they are not given a place in
participation declaring political parties, and, as such, refrain from voting.

According to Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the youth is the hope of the country. With this, the youth has
a big role in building the nation. In addition, the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states
in Section 13, Article II: “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
and shall promote their physical, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the
youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic
affairs.” The participation of young people in the country's governance has been also
recognized as early as 1970 in the Presidential Decree no. 603 or the Child and Youth
Welfare Code. Furthermore, Section 6, Article IV states: “Youth can actively participate in
civic affairs, and in the promotion of general welfare, always bearing in mind that it is the
youth who will eventually be called upon to discharge the responsibility of leadership, in
hope for the nation’s future.”

Involvement of the youth in politics in the Philippines is still somewhat limited. One of the
reasons behind is the weakness of political parties which do not have strong youth wings
that give the youth an interest to an entry point in politics. “The task of the youth is to allow
new ideas and new talents to come up. It does this by giving the youth the representation in
the political sphere, by helping the party reach out to young voters and by giving young
people a chance to engage in policy debate and activism.” (Harzog, 2007)

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 According to Valdivieso (2014), in the last few years, political involvement of some citizens
has changed considerably. The social and economic environment where the youth encounter
may suggest for the decline of their political awareness. “An entry into the workplace is
increasingly deferred, there has been a prolonged dependence on parental support. It is
suggested that this has delayed the onset of financial and familial responsibilities and hence,
the age at which people begin to become interested in politics.” (Kimberlee, 1998)

With this, it is shown that knowledge about current events can lead to active participation in
social studies, which help students improve their academic performance. Understanding
politics helps them become more strategic and a responsible as citizens who knows their
own rights. It is good to encourage them to participate more in governmental matters
political science organizations at schools, local community elections of youth leaders, the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), as well as participating in different congress with regards to
politics and international meetings.

However, it is still a major concern that some students have lack of interest in politics. Some
studies cite the lack of concernment of the young generation towards politics; other studies
also point out the difficulty in understanding politics, and other related topics about politics.
The young generation generally found politicians in low esteem, along with the lack of trust
in them (Bentley and Oakley, 1999) or giving them respect (Pririe and Worcester, 1998).

The young generation’s participation is not well recognized. Richardson (1990) Argues that
politicians are not interested in the view of young people. Jowel and Park (1998) suggest
that the youth's lack of participation results from their interest matter. In resolution to the
current situation, citizens, even the youth, has a responsibility for the Philippines. In the
United Kingdom, for example, the Electoral Reform Society has supported voters of age 16.
In their new system, citizens aged 14 and 15 are already registered voters and can exercise
their right at the age of 16.  According to Grover (2011), cited that this new reform has given
the youth a chance for participating in different consultations in every government decision,
as well as giving them an idea on how the government works.

The purpose of this study is to review the political maturity of college students of Rizal
Memorial Colleges. The researchers will look at their political awareness, background
knowledge in different topics about the Philippine Politics, along with their willingness to
participate in the politics of the future.
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 II. Theoretical and conceptual framework

III. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to review the political maturity of college students in Rizal Memorial
Colleges and came up with data that can be used as a guide to see if the Senior High School
Students has knowledge about Political Related Topics.

1. What is the current political awareness status of the Senior High School Students of St.
Paul University Manila?

2. How broad is the knowledge of the students about political related topics and how it
affects the following:
 A. Their willingness to join in different discussions or debates about politics.
B. Their interest and awareness of the current Socio-Political Economic problems/issues
C. Their involvement in political, civic, and economic life in the community.

3. How does this assessment of political awareness of the students help in forming their
leadership capabilities in school and community?

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IV. Hypothesis :

1.There is a great difference in political maturity of college students of Rizal Memorial

Colleges.

2.Students of rural areas specially male are more aware about the political activities.

3.Political awareness of students of college students is much dependent on their family and
parental background, parental qualification, parental occupation

V. Significance of the Study

This study will contribute to the cognizance of the society regarding the capability of college
students in addressing social issues that root from a country’s political state. The
researchers hope to address the disparity of awareness

that thrive among different generations not only in the Philippines but in other countries.
Within this research comes along the hopes of encouraging students to be involved in
exhibiting awareness of their country’s political condition, with the goal to give aid to the
generation’s struggles to contribute to the tackling of political and social issues.

The outcomes to be considered consist of the following: the improvement of students’

consciousness regarding political issues; development of positive attitudes toward politics;
increase in students’ competencies to meet demands that would actively help the society in
managing the government or public affairs of a country.

Students

This study aims to serve as a stimulus to disregard the lacking maturity of students regarding
politics through uplifting students’ competencies, with the hopes of raising consciousness
regarding political issues. The researchers also hope that the Maturity of students regarding
politics would last long, so as soon to be present in the future students;

may it as well be to future generations that would give value to the importance of studying
politics.

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Educators

Educators could benefit in this study as it would raise awareness to teachers who rarely
open political talks, and would enlighten the opportunities an educator could give to let
students discuss politics without having little knowledge. The research would open a chance
for educators, not only nationally, to review and grant knowledge to students who doesn’t
have much of background study regarding politics.

Community

 This study would give benefit to the society considering that it would help raise political
awareness not only to the students of the present generation but also the forthcoming
generations. This, if the awareness of students is successfully stimulated through the
importance of the study.

VI. Scope and Limitations of the Study

Political awareness is a necessity for an individual to further understand the actions and the
decisions of the government. It is important for students to develop political awareness as
they will inevitably be involved in politics, whether as a voter, as a representative, or even
as an official. The focus of the study is to determine how aware the College students of Rizal
Memorial Colleges regarding politics and other political related topics. The study directly
involves students as researchers will be using questionnaires for their assessment. The study
will also cover how the students use their knowledge about the topics in forming their
leadership skills and strategies. However, the study will not cover the students’ opinions
about the topics or issues. Lastly, the researchers will be giving questionnaires to 10 (ten) in
which they will be gathering further data at Rizal Memorial Colleges.

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VI. Definition of Terms

Democracy

- Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.

(Volokh, 2015)

 Election

A formal process for the selection of a person for a public office. It is done simultaneously in
every part of the nation. (U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 2008) Philippine Citizen A
person who lives in the Philippines; legally recognized by the constitution. ( 1987 Philippine
Constitution, Article IV, Section 1)Political Awareness It is a person’s knowledge or
perception about politics and other related topics. (Puertollano, 2015)

Politics

- Social activity that is made up of leaders and officials who serve the government.
(Puertollano, 2015)

  Youth

- Are those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years old.

(UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, 2017)

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 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents related literature that are found to be helpful in contributing
knowledge for the study. With the hopes of having better comprehension regarding the
study, included in this chapter are bodies of literature that provide conceptual knowledge
that have been gathered from various studies.