Everyone desires and aims for a place to call home and to have healthy family bonds between

family members. According to Senate Bill No. 825, -as introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito
Estrada (2010), "Family is recognized as the most basic unit of society. Everything learned and
experienced inside one's home is manifested in the way a person acts and deals with others." The
family is where a child initially interacts with the outside world. As a result, the child receives
their first education and socialization from parents and other family members. However, not all
individuals have the privilege of growing up in intact families, as parental separation, divorce, or
the absence of one parent can lead to a broken family structure. This can have significant
implications for young adults as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. Moreover, when
parents in a broken family find it difficult to prioritize their children's well-being or feel
overwhelmed by their circumstances, it can lead to the manifestation of behaviors such as a
diminished provision of emotional support, inconsistent disciplinary measures, insufficient
supervision, or neglect of their children's basic needs. As a result, it can have a substantial impact
on children's growth, emotional well-being, and overall development. According to Dunn et al
(2022) Origins and consequences of child neglect in substance abuse families. Clinical
psychology review,22(7), 1063-1090. child neglect can have more severe adverse effects on
developmental outcomes compared to child abuse. Parental substance use disorder (SUD)
increases the risk of child neglect, and children in these families are more vulnerable to
psychiatric problems, psychosocial dysfunction, and substance abuse. Furthermore, Individuals
who come from broken families are often susceptible to influence, and the impact of their
childhood experiences typically stays with them as they transition into adulthood. Hence, every
child must deserve a safe and nurturing family environment, one that fosters their well-being,
growth, and potential.

Parenting plays a crucial role in shaping the lives and futures of children. (Sanders et al., 2018),
the quality of parenting children receive during childhood and adolescence plays a major role in
influencing their developmental competence and ultimately their life course trajectories.
Effective parenting can mitigate the negative impact of the family breakdown, provide stability,
and equip children with the skills and support they need to thrive despite their circumstances. In
her work titled "Effective Parenting During the Early Adolescent Transition" (Baumrind, 1991),
Baumrind highlights the importance of authoritative parenting. This parenting style involves
parents who are emotionally responsive, showing love, support, and commitment. They are also
cognitively responsive, providing a stimulating and challenging environment for their children.
According to Baumrind, authoritative parenting is associated with increased levels of self-
esteem, greater self-reliance, and higher levels of social competence in children. However,
children raised by parents who struggle with emotional regulation may have difficulty managing
their own emotions effectively and they may struggle with anger, impulsivity, or emotional
outbursts (Morris et al., 2007). On the contrary, World Health Organization (2005) emphasizes
that supportive parenting, positive discipline, and nurturing relationships contribute to children's
emotional well-being, resilience, and prevention of mental health disorders. Furthermore,
“Parent-Child Relationship – Why it’s Important” (n.d) describes that the Parent-Child
Relationship is one that nurtures the physical, emotional, and social development of the child,
children who establish a secure and healthy attachment to their parents during their early years
have an increased likelihood of cultivating positive and fulfilling relationships with others as
they grow. The importance of raising children well extends beyond individual families; it also
has broader societal implications. A study by Bowlby and Ainsworth (1958) called "Attachment
Theory" emphasizes the critical role of secure attachment between children and their caregivers,
highlighting that it forms the foundation for healthy relationships and social functioning.

Marriage is viewed as more than a contractual agreement; it is regarded as a sacred covenant,

influenced by religious beliefs, particularly within the predominantly Catholic Filipino
community (Gonzales, L. M., & Hung, K. Y. 2011). However, With the institution of marriage
came the issue of what to do when a relationship doesn't work out as planned. As a result,
divorce is one of the solutions that most societies, both religious and non-religious, have for
handling unhappy marriages (Folarin, G. O., 2011). A study conducted by Abalos, J. B. (2017)
stated that the Philippines is the only country in the world, aside from the Vatican, where divorce
is not legal. Despite the absence of divorce law, annulment remains prevalent among Filipino
couples, indicating a significant number of marriages being legally declared void or invalid. As
reported by Abalos (2017), during the 1960s, the Philippines already had 28,988 Filipino men
and 52,187 Filipino women who were divorced or separated. By the year 2010, the figures
experienced a significant surge, with a substantial increase to 330,253 men and 565,802 women
(JG Lanozo et al., 2021). According to research conducted by Margot Galang (2015) on the
Implication of Broken Marriages to Filipino Children, the common reasons why Filipino couples
separate include financial problems, lack of communication, infidelity, and domestic violence.

Furthermore, the experience of parental divorce or separation affects the child's adjustment
(Hsien-Jin, T. 2003). Adolescents from broken families or single-parent households often face
significant behavioral challenges. The stress within these families can contribute to a lack of
parental support and guidance, which in turn leads to emotional and behavioral problems among
adolescents (Magpantay et al., 2014). According to the study conducted by Megarbio, M. D.
(2004) on the Factors that influenced the involvement of adolescent Buntogs in Davao City in
sex trade, the study examined the family backgrounds of the respondents and found that a
significant number of them came from broken families, which suggests that the presence of a
broken family may have influenced their decision to engage in the sex trade. On the contrary, the
study conducted by Geron (2014) called "Turning Tables: An Exploratory Study of Positive
Outcomes from Individuals with Separated Parents", examines individuals who have achieved
positive outcomes despite coming from broken families. The study also aims to investigate how
children from broken families can draw inspiration from their family situation to succeed and
accomplish their life goals Geron (2014). Hence, it is important to recognize that the impact of a
broken family can vary greatly from person to person. While some may encounter difficulties
and negative experiences due to their family situation, others are able to overcome these
challenges and achieve personal growth and success.

Furthermore, most studies conducted on broken families are focused on children, meanwhile,
this study will fill the gap by studying the lived experiences of broken families specifically single
young adults, 2 male and 3 female participants that aged around 18-30 in Davao City.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and comprehend the firsthand encounters of individuals
who originate from broken families, as well as the potential impacts of family disruption on the
social behavior and overall well-being of young adults who grew up in such circumstances. The
study explores the specific challenges faced by the participants such as financial difficulties, lack
of emotional support, and changes in living arrangements. The study also investigates the coping
mechanisms as well as the resilience strategies used by single young adults to conquer such
struggles.