Parental Awareness and

Non-Practice of Child Abuse:

An Assessment on Republic Act 7610
INTRODUCTION
Republic Act 7610, also known as “An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special
Protection Against Child Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination, Providing Penalties for its
Violation and For Other Purposes’’. These laws provides special protection to children from all
forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial
to their development and provide sanctions for their commission and to carry out a program for
prevention and deterrence of and crisis interventions in situations of child abuse, exploitation and
discrimination.

Children tend to misbehave, do foolish things and sometimes choose to break rules and its
part of the parenting in order to correct child’s behavior is through the use of physical
punishment. Child maltreatment is more common among adolescent parents, yet predisposing
factors are less well understood (Colon 2010).

Sexual and Physical Abuse are the most prevalent reported case of child abuse cases
reported to PNP in 2015-2018, but according to the report provided by the Head of the Municipal
Social Welfare Development during their census, many of poor children experience abuse from
their parents without reporting on their locality, because they are scared not to follow their parents
since all of those children are 13 years old and below. That’s why the total number of child abuse
has not evidently determined due to the non-report of abuse in the Locality of Peñablanca.

Therefore, the presence of the law banning this physical punishment that could actually
constitute child abuse has a direct effect with parent’s level of practice.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study sought to assess the awareness of parents with regards to physical
and psychological/emotional abuse.
Specifically, it aimed to answer the following questions;
1) What is the profile of the respondents as to;
a) Age
b) Gender
c) Educational Attainment
d) Parent’s years of cohabitation
e) Parent’s nature of cohabitation
 
2) What is the level of awareness of parents on RA 7610 as to:
a) Physical Abuse
b) Psychological/Emotional Abuse
 
3) What is the level of non-practice of parents on RA 7610 as to:
a) Physical Abuse
b) Psychological/Emotional Abuse
4) Is there a significant difference between the level of
awareness of parents when grouped according to profile
variables?

5) Is there a significant relationship between parents’ level of

awareness and level of non-practice in consonance with
Republic Act 7610?
 
Research Paradigm

PROFILE VARIABLE
Gender
Age
Educational Attainment
Years of Cohabitation
Nature of Cohabitation
Parent’s Level of
Awareness and Level of
Non-Practice of Child
Abuse: An Assessment
on Republic Act 7610.

FIGURE 1.Research Paradigm

 
The profile variables are used as independent variable namely, gender,
age, educational attainment, years of cohabitation and nature of
cohabitation; the parents’ level of awareness and level of non-practice as
dependent variable. The paradigm shows the relationship between the
independent and dependent variable.
METHODS
 The study is a descriptive-quantitative study. Descriptive
quantitative design is used to ascertain parents’ level of
awareness and non-practice in compliance to Republic Act
7610 also known as Child Abuse Law specifically on physical
and emotional/psychological abuse.

 The study was conducted in the five barangay of Peñablanca

specifically in Aggugaddan, Malibabag, Callao, San Roque,
and Quibal.

 The respondents of the study are those parents’ or single

parent who have children. They were selected using the
purposive random sampling method. There were total of 150
parents chosen to answer the questionnaire came from each
of the barangays of peñablanca mentioned.
METHODS
 The study used a researcher made questionnaire in gathering
data. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire was tested
using Cronbach alpha. Items in the questionnaire were taken
from the provisions of the Republic Act 7610. It was divided into
three different parts: the first part contains items that provide
information on the profile of the respondents namely: age,
gender, educational attainment, years of cohabitation, and nature
of cohabitation; the second part consists of 20 questions to test
level of awareness and level of non-practice on physical abuse.
Lastly, the third part consists of 20 questions to test the level of
awareness and non-practice on emotional abuse. Moreover we
used the 4-point Likert type scale to analyze the data collected.
RESULTS
TABLE 1. The profile of the respondents in terms of age, gender, educational attainment, years of
cohabitation, and nature of cohabitation.
Profile of the Respondents Frequency Valid Percentage
Age
40 and below 45 30.3
41-50 yrs. old 50 33.4
51-60 yrs. old 34 22.6
61-70 yrs. old 17 11.4
71 and above 4 2.6
Gender
Male 70 46.7
Female 80 53.3
Educational Attainment
Elementary Undergraduate 2 1.3
Elementary Graduate 8 5.3
High school Undergraduate 9 6.0
High school Graduate 36 24.0
College Undergraduate 33 22.0
College Graduate 62 41.3
Years of Cohabitation
10yrs and below 46 30.7
11-20 yrs. 67 44.7
21-30 yrs. 29 19.3
31-40 yrs. 8 5.3
Nature of Cohabitation
Married Parents 79 52.7
Common law parents 64 42.7
Partner of the parents 4 2.7
Guardians 3 2.0

TOTAL 150 100.0

The table presents the profile of the parents in terms of their age, gender,
educational attainment, years of cohabitation, and nature of cohabitation. It shows that
the majority of parents are from the age group of 41-50 generally female, and college
graduates. Majority of the respondents have been living together from 11-20 years
while 79% are married parents.
 TABLE 2.A. Level of awareness of parents on child abuse along physical and
emotional dimension.

Variables Dimensions Over-all weighted mean Interpretation

Physical abuse 2.34 Slightly Aware

Level of awareness
Emotional abuse 2.39 Slightly Aware

Table 2.A shows the level of awareness of parents on child abuse along physical and
emotional dimension regarding on Republic Act 7610.The findings revealed that the parents are
slightly aware as to physical abuse and emotional abuse. This means that parents have a state
of being aware or knowledge regarding the law.
 TABLE 2.B. Level of non-practice of parents on child abuse along physical and
emotional dimension.

Dimensions Interpretation
Variables Over-all weighted mean

Physical abuse Moderately Aware

2.71
Level of non-practice
Emotional abuse Moderately Aware
2.57

Table 2.B shows the level of non-practice of parents on child abuse along physical and
emotional dimension regarding on Republic Act 7610. The findings revealed that the parents are
moderately aware as to physical abuse and emotional abuse. This means that those parents have
average level of non-practice regarding the law.
 TABLE 3.A. Test of differences between Level of Awareness when grouped according to
Age
Variables Dimension Age Mean N F P-value Decision
    40 and below   2.530769*      
           
    41-50 yrs. old   2.216129      
  Physical abuse 150 2.712 032 Reject Ho
  51-60 yrs. old 2.488000
Level of 61-70 yrs. old 2.379412
Awareness 71 and above 2.004545*
  40 and below   2.661538*      
         
  41-50 yrs. old   2.277419      
Emotional abuse        
51-60 yrs. old 150 2.562000 3.206 .015 Reject Ho
61-70 yrs. old 2.302941    
71 and above 2.163636*  
 

*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.

The table shows that there is a significant difference on the level of awareness when grouped
according to age .
as to physical and emotional abuse. Based on the total above on level of
awareness along physical abuse, it shows that majority of respondents are from age group of 40
and below parents has the highest level of awareness rather than those parents from the age group
of 71 and above. With a mean of 2.00, this means that those older parents had been more
experience to discipline their children rather than those younger parents with a mean of 2.53.

While under the level of awareness along emotional abuse, it was also revealed that majority of
parents are from the age group of 40 and below parents has also the highest level of awareness
rather than those parents from the age group of 71 and above. With a mean of 2.66 of the age
group 40 and below parents and with a mean of 2.16 of the age group of 71 and above. Hence, the
null hypothesis is rejected. Both level of awareness along physical and emotional have different
level of awareness in both dimension of child abuse.
 TABLE 3.B. Test of difference on Level of Non-practice when grouped according to Age.
Variables Dimension Ages N Mean F P-Value Decision
  40 and below   2.761538      
         
  41-50 yrs. old   2.664516      
         
  Physical abuse 150 2.007 0.97 Accept Ho
51-60 yrs. old 2.846000
 
 
  61-70 yrs. old 2.667647
 
Level of Non- 71 and above 2.477273
practice
40 and below   2.507692      
       
41-50 yrs. old   2.587097      
       
Emotional abuse 150 .887 .474 Accept Ho
51-60 yrs. old 2.656000

61-70 yrs. old 2.552941

71 and above 2.422727

The table shows that there is no significant difference on level of non-practice when grouped
according to age. Based on the total above, it shows that parents from the aged group of 51-60
have higher level of non-practice along physical and emotional abuse. As shown in the probability
value which is higher than 0.05 level of significance. Hence, the null hypothesis is accepted. Both
physical and emotional under the age group of younger parents are aware in the level of non-
practice of child abuse.
 TABLE 3.C. Test of Differences on Level of Awareness when grouped according to
Gender

Variables Dimensions Gender N Mean F-value P-value Decision

  Male 70 2.3014
Level of Physical abuse .664 .508 Accept Ho
Awareness Female 80 2.3737

Male 70 2.3914
Emotional abuse .063 .950 Accept Ho
Female 80 2.3975

The table shows that there is no significant difference in the level of awareness of the parents
when grouped according to gender. It’s revealed that generally females has the highest level of
awareness along physical and emotional abuse. This simply shows that the gender of a parent is
not a significant factor in respondents’ awareness and practice on Republic Act. 7610. This means
that parents are the most important people in the lives of all young children and regarding the ability
of the parents is to ensure their child’s physical, emotional and well-being.
 TABLE 3.D. Test of Differences on Level of Non- Practice when grouped according to
Gender

Variables Dimensions Gender N Mean T-value P-value Decision

  Male 70 2.6686

Physical abuse Female 80 2.7400 -.808 .420 Accept Ho

Level of Non-  
Practice Male 70 2.5743

Emotional abuse Female 80 2.5688 .066 .947 Accept Ho

The table shows that there is no significant difference in the level of awareness of the parents
when grouped according to gender. It’s revealed that generally females has the highest level of
awareness along physical and emotional abuse. This simply shows that the gender of a parent is
not a significant factor in respondents’ awareness and practice on Republic Act. 7610. Hence the
null hypothesis is accepted. Both physical and emotional under the grouped according to gender of
parents are aware in both dimensions.
 TABLE 3.E. Test of Difference on Level of Awareness when grouped according to Educational
Attainment
Variable Dimension Educational Attainment N Mean F-value P-value Decision
 

  Elementary Undergraduate 2 2.5000      

       
       
  Elementary Graduate 8 2.1750      
       
  High school Undergraduate 9 1.8444 1.628 .156 Accept Ho
  Physical abuse
 
 
  High school Graduate 36 2.4056

College Undergraduate 33 2.2485

Level of Awareness College Graduate 62 2.4387

  Elementary Undergraduate 2 2.5000      

     
     
Elementary Graduate 8 2.1125    
2.031 .078 Accept Ho
High school Undergraduate 9 2.1889
Emotional abuse
High school Graduate 36 2.6111

College Undergraduate 33 2.2515

College Graduate 62 2.4081

The table shows that there is no significant difference on the level of awareness when grouped
according to educational attainment. This indicates that regardless of educational attainment,
parents in Peñablanca, Cagayan are aware when it comes to child abuse. This means that they
have higher level of awareness as to physical and emotional child abuse, since Republic Act. 7610
are known through the government program and also in media.
 
TABLE 3.F. Test of Difference on Level of Non-Practice when grouped according to Educational Attainment

Variable Dimension Educational Attainment N Mean F-value P-value Decision

    Elementary Undergraduate 2 2.0500      

       
       
  Elementary Graduate 8 2.4750      
 
  High school Undergraduate 9 2.3667
  Physical abuse 2.020 .079 Accept Ho
       
  High school Graduate 36 2.7722  
 
College Undergraduate 33 2.6848
Level of Non-Practice
College Graduate 62 2.7806

  Elementary Undergraduate 2 2.7000      

     
     
Elementary Graduate 8 2.4750      

High school Undergraduate 9 2.3333

Emotional abuse .627 .679 Accept Ho

High school Graduate 36 2.6417

College Undergraduate 33 2.5515

College Graduate 62 2.5839

The table shows also that there is no significant difference the level of non-practice when
grouped according to educational attainment. This indicates also that regardless of educational
attainment, parents in Peñablanca, Cagayan are aware and have higher level of non-practice when
it comes to child abuse. Hence, the null hypothesis is accepted. This means that they have higher
level as to physical and emotional child abuse, since Republic Act. 7610 are known through the
government program.
 TABLE 3.G. Test of Difference on Level of Awareness when grouped according to Years of
Cohabitation
 
Dimension Years of N Mean F P-value Decision
Cohabitation

  10 yrs. and 46 2.3217      

  below          
 
  Physical Abuse 11-20 yrs 67 2.3090 1.606 .191 Accept Ho
  21-30 yrs 29 2.3034
 
Level of Awareness 31-40 yrs 8 2.8375

 
10 yrs and below 46 2.3478  
 
Emotional Abuse 11-20 yrs 67 2.4328  
Accept Ho
.647 .586
21-30 yrs 29 2.3241

31-40 yrs 8 2.6000

The present table shows that there is no significant difference on all groups under parents’ level
of awareness along physical and emotional abuse when grouped according to years of
cohabitation. It revealed that parents have higher level of awareness. This means that parents
comply with the law regardless of the length of being together as parent.
 
 TABLE 3.H. Test of Difference on Level of Non-Practice when grouped according to Years of
Cohabitation

Variable Dimension Years of N Mean F P-value Decision

Cohabitation

     
    10 yrs. and below 46 2.7022  
  Physical
11-20 yrs. 67 2.7328 Accept Ho
.352 .788
Level of Non- 21-30 yrs. 29 2.7034
Practice
31-40 8 2.5250
   
  10 yrs. and below 46 2.6174  
Emotional
11-20 yrs. 67 2.5955 Accept Ho
.685 .562
21-30 yrs. 29 2.4586
31-40 yrs. 8 2.5125

The table shows also that there is no significant difference in the level of non-practice along
physical and emotional abuse when grouped according to years of cohabitation. It revealed that
parents have higher level of awareness. Hence, the null hypothesis is accepted. This means that
parents also comply with the law regardless of the length of being together as parent.
 
 TABLE 3.I. Test of Difference on Level of Awareness when grouped according to Nature
of Cohabitation
Variable Dimension Nature of N Mean F-value P-value Decision
Cohabitation
    Married parents 79 2.4823*      
         
  Physical
  Abuse Common law 64 2.1453* 3.459 .018 Reject Ho
  Parents
  Partner of the 4 2.4000
  parents
 
Level of Awareness Guardians 3 2.6667

 
  Married parents 79 2.4709      
       
Emotional
Abuse Common law 64 2.2797 1.522 .211 Accept Ho
parents
Partner of the 4 2.5500
parents
Guardians 3 2.6333

*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level

The table shows that there is a significant difference on level of awareness when grouped
according to nature of cohabitation. The results show that married parents have higher level of
awareness on physical abuse. With a higher mean of 2.4823, married parents recognized the
sanctity of their marriage with due consideration of the welfare of the child. Since those married
parents is family oriented and attentive on disciplining of their children. While, those common law
parents with a total mean of 2.1453 under physical dimension is also recognized their state of
being together even though their relationship have no special legal status. However, the table
revealed that there is no significant difference on level of awareness as to emotional abuse when
grouped according to their nature of cohabitation.
TABLE 3.J. Test of Difference on Level of Non-Practice when grouped according to Nature of Cohabitation

Variable Dimension Nature of N Mean F-value P-value Decision

Cohabitation
    Married parents 79 2.7987*      
         
  Physical Abuse Common law Parents 64 2.5719*
  3.062 .030 Reject Ho
 
  Partner of the 4 2.6750
  parents
Level of Non-Practice Guardians 3 3.2000

 
  Married parents 79 2.6127      
       
Emotional Abuse Common law parents 64 2.5234
.818 .486 Accept Ho
Partner of the 4 2.3500
parents
Guardians 3 2.8000

*The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level

The table shows that there is a significant difference on level of non-practice when grouped
according to nature of cohabitation. The results show that married parents is also have higher level
of non-practice on physical abuse among the others. With a higher mean of 2.7987, married
parents do respect their relationship as well as to their relationship to their child. While, the
probability value in physical dimension which is lower than 0.05 level of significance. Hence, the
null hypothesis is rejected. Moreover, the table revealed that there is no significant difference on
level of awareness as to emotional abuse when grouped according to their nature of cohabitation.
This means that parents have higher level of non-practice of child abuse.
 TABLE 4. Significant Relationship between Parents’ Level of Awareness and Level on Non-
Practice
 
Variable Mean Pearson R-value P-value Decision
     
Level of awareness 2.3673      
  .607** .000 Reject Ho

Level of non-practice 2.6390

**Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).

Table 4 shows that using pearson correlation determine that there is a significant relationship
between parents’ level of awareness and level of non-practice in consonance with Republic Act
7610. This means that parents have a higher level of awareness and non-practice of physical and
emotional abuse. Parents who have a high level of awareness on the existence of Republic Act
7610, they will not practice child abuse and have measured by the limitations that the law set in
raising their children considering their physical and emotional aspects.
 
 DISCUSSION
The topic of the study focused on child abuse specifically on physical abuse and
emotional abuse. As defined by Protacio-Marcelino et. al. (2000), physical abuse is an
act that results in non-accidental and/or unreasonable infliction of physical injury on a
child. Lindell & Svelin (2001) revealed on their study that the risk factors for physical
abuse, such as unemployment, violent spouse relations, substance and drug abuse and
poor mental health were found in several families, often among the prosecuted
perpetrators and a parent-to-child corporal punishment and physical maltreatment
(Catherine Tang 2003). However, as defined by Protacio-Marcelino et. al. (2000),
psychological or emotional abuse is any harm to a child’s emotional or intellectual
functioning. It was revealed that the effect of emotional abuse and neglect was
associated with increased anxiety; depression, post-traumatic stress and physical
symptoms (Spertus IL, et. al. 2003). The findings of the study revealed that majority of
the parents belong to the age group 41-50; generally female have the highest number, a
college graduates, 11-20 years of cohabitation, and married parents. Therefore, those
parents from the age group of 40 and below parents has the highest level of awareness
rather than those parents from the age group of 71 and above. This simply means that
those older parents had been more experience for how many years to discipline their
children rather than those younger parents. However, it was found that most of the
parents in Peñablanca, Cagayan are a college degree holder. It was revealed that many
professionals struggle to define emotional abuse and that they encounter many
obstacles while working with emotional abuse (Flichtbeil 2014). Furthermore, married
parents have the highest number among the respondents. This shows that most of the
parents value the sanctity of marriage and whose children are given caring recognition
upon birth.
Level of Awareness and Non-Practice of Parents on
Child abuse along Physical and Emotional
This study aims to determine the level of awareness and non-practice of child
abuse along physical and emotional; an assessment of RA 7610. The findings
revealed that the level of awareness of parents in physical and emotional abuse
is slightly aware. Under this area, it was revealed that parents have a state of
being aware regarding the law. The findings of this study is supported by the
study of Roche (2017) which revealed that important details about child
maltreatment and child protection arrangements in the Philippines. It
recommends further research into policy and programmatic approaches to child
maltreatment, a greater focus on the social, cultural and structural influences on
child maltreatment, and investigation into child maltreatment, particularly child
sexual abuse, in contexts outside of the home, such as in institutions.
Moreover, maybe it’s not only about their broad information on law, because
most of the parents are aware on committing physical and emotional abuse
because their method of disciplining is for the sake of their own children. This
means that parents have lack of emotional state about their action towards on
their own children whether it’s abusive or not. Particularly in the study of
Robertson (2007), it was found that parents are not aware as to the act of mere
discipline and physical punishment which falls within the bounds of child abuse.
In terms on the level of non-practice of parents on child abuse along
physical and emotional abuse. It was revealed that the level of non-
practice of parents is moderately aware. Under this area, it was
revealed that parents have average level of non-practice regarding the
law. The findings of this study is supported by the study of Broadhurst,
D et. al (1979) which revealed that conducting a police advocacy for
child abuse prevention should be aimed at additional educational
programs; improved services for families; improved planning,
administration, and service delivery among all community agencies;
and higher priority for funding of preventive programs. Moreover, the
results signifies the difference between level of awareness and level of
non-practice wherein parents are state of being aware on level of
awareness and having an average level of non-practice to child abuse
along physical and emotional.
 Differences between Level of awareness and
Non- Practice when grouped according age
It was revealed that under the level of awareness along physical and emotional abuse has a
difference when grouped according to age. It was found that the level of awareness along
physical and emotional abuse, it shows that majority of respondents are from age group of 40
and below parents has the highest level of awareness and non-practice rather than those
parents from the age group of 71 and above. This means that those older parents had been
more experience for how many years to discipline their children rather than those younger
parents. However in the level of non-practice, there’s no need to differentiate it to other group
ages . This study supported by the study of Mustafizur Rahman K. M.(2013), it was found that
the vulnerable socio-economic conditions drop the children in vulnerable situation. At
development stage, age is the main factor of a child in assessing the vulnerability. No age is
safe. Children are always vulnerable. One of the reasons is that most of adolescents and
young adults with a history of childhood maltreatment were three times more likely to become
depressed or suicidal compared with individuals without such a history (Brown Cohen et. al
1999). It is also concurrent with the study of Putnam, F. W. (2003), it was found that risk
factors include gender, age, disabilities, and parental dysfunction. A range of symptoms and
disorders has been associated with CSA, but depression in adults and sexualized behaviors in
children are the best-documented outcomes. To date, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) of
the child and a non-offending parent is the most effective treatment. Prevention efforts have
focused on child education to increase awareness and home visitation to decrease risk
factors.
 Differences on Level of Awareness and Non-
Practice when grouped according to Gender
However, there is no distinction between the male and female as a parent’s gender, because
parents are among the most important people in the lives of young children. From birth, children
are learning and rely on mothers and fathers, as well as other caregivers acting in the parenting
role, to protect and care for them and to chart a path that promotes their overall well-being.
While parents generally are filled with anticipation about their children’s unfolding personalities,
may also lack knowledge about how best to provide for them. Becoming a parent is usually a
welcomed event, but in some cases, parents live are fraught with problems and uncertainty
regarding their ability to ensure their child’s physical, emotional, or economic well-being. (The
National Academies Press 2016). This study supported by the study of Foran et. al. (2014),
identify unique correlates of clinically significant emotional abuse in a large representative
sample of men and women, and it was found out that relations dissatisfaction, poor self-efficacy,
financial stress, were among the strongest correlates of emotional abuse among the twenty-one
factors examined. The importance of lifelines for emotionally abused children which provided
them with unconditional, positive regard (Doyle Celia 1998). It is also concurrent about this
study of Herrero (2008), it was revealed that higher levels of acceptability were reported by men,
the older, the less educated, and those who perceived that violence against children was less
frequent in their own country. At the country level, the existence of laws prohibiting physical
punishment of children as well as a lower number of child maltreatment deaths were
significantly associated with lower levels of acceptability of physical punishment of children.
 Difference on Level of Awareness and Non-
Practice when grouped according to
Educational Attainment
Furthermore, the grouped according to educational attainment revealed that
most all of the parents in Peñablanca have higher level of awareness and non-
practice along child physical and emotional abuse. In order to gain more
knowledge about this RA 7610, they should conduct to assess the
implementation on Child abuse Act in Manila as a basis for policy advocacy.
They revealed that there is a great need for education to increase public and
multi-disciplinary professional as well as parental awareness of child abuse and
protection (Marlene Monterona 2016). It was revealed that supports a need for
child maltreatment researchers and advocates developing clear consensus
definitions to aid the legal community in adopting uniform inclusive statutes to
protect children from emotional abuse (Hamarman et. al. 2002). Because the
more severe the case, the more likely it was to be substantiated (Jellen K. et.
al.). The study of Pfohl S. J. (1997) entitled “The discovery of child abuse”, it was
revealed on the paper concerns resultant social reaction. The paper synthesizes
conflict and labeling perspectives in providing an interpretation of a particular
social-legal development. In addition to the study according to Flichtbeil (2014),
the study found out that many professionals struggle to define emotional abuse
and that they encounter many obstacles while working with emotional abuse.
 Difference on Level of Awareness and
Non-Practice when grouped according to
Years of Cohabitation
On the other hand, it was revealed that the level of awareness and non-practice
along physical and emotional abuse when grouped according to years of
cohabitation, have a higher level of awareness and non-practice on child
physical and emotional abuse. It was found that parents in Peñablanca,
Cagayan are aware on child abuse law. It shows that they comply with the law
regardless of the length of being together for so many years. Those parents are
able to distinguish between illegal and legal physical discipline which indicates
that parents hold divergent opinions from the law when judging “reasonable”
discipline tactics that could be harmful to the child (Robertson 2007). It was also
found out that the years of cohabitation of parents is not significant on their level
of awareness on both physical and emotional abuse. Parents do comply with the
law regardless of the span of their marriage. Hence, child abuse prevention
should be aimed at additional educational programs; improved services for
families; improved planning, administration, and service delivery among all
community agencies; and higher priority for funding of preventive programs
(Broadhurst, D. D. et.al. 1979).
 Difference on Level of Awareness and Non-Practice
when grouped according to Nature of Cohabitation
It was revealed that there is a significant difference in parents’ level of
awareness and non-practice along physical abuse dimension when
grouped according to nature of cohabitation. Specifically, the nature of
state of living between married parents and common law parents.
Further, its revealed that both of them is aware on committing physical
abuse on their child under Republic Act 7610. Children living in two
biological parent cohabiting families experience worse outcomes, on
average, than those residing with two biological married parents,
although those children below ages, economic and parental resources
attenuate these differences (Susan Brown 2004). Since married
parents have the high level of awareness on physical abuse. This study
supported by the study of Katherine Baker (2017), a big part of
parenting is being the married parent and not your child’s friend. In
addition with this, spending quality time with children, parents should
make rules and enforce them, give advice, show love, care, and
respect, role model positive and encouraging behaviors and discipline
when needed. If a parent is absent these skills are lost, as the child
must meet his own needs and function as a mini-adult rather than child.
 Relationship between Parents’ Level of
Awareness and Level of Non-Practice
Finally, the study revealed that there is significant relationship between
parents’ level of awareness and non-practice of child abuse in
accordance with Republic Act 7610. It was found that parents have a
higher level of awareness and non-practice on the existence of
Republic Act 7610, they will not practice child abuse and have
measured by the limitations that the law set in raising their children
considering their physical and emotional aspects. The study discovered
the correlation of parents’ level of awareness and level of non-practice
in their way of disciplining behavior to their children. It found that the
level of awareness is related with the non-practice of physical and
emotional abuse. Furthermore, if there is law banning this physical
punishment that could actually constitute child abuse, those parents
will not practice child abuse andhave limitation set by the law. A study
of Afifi et. al. 2012&Straus (2005), corporal punishment can lead to
mental health related difficulties for children. This fear does not
disappear once the spanking has stopped. Children who experience
corporal punishment may feel stress, fear, anxiety, shame,
unhappiness and depression, which can continue throughout childhood
and into adulthood.
CONCLUSION
The result of the study has shown that parents in Peñablanca
have a high level of awareness and non-practice along physical
and emotional abuse because of the existence of Republic Act
7610. In this law, parents are able to distinguish whether the
level of practice is physical and emotional, if abusive or not.
Most of the young parents has the highest level of awareness on
physical abuse because those older parents had been more
experience to discipline their children and having their own
methods of disciplining rather than those younger parents.
Moreover, it was revealed that there is no problem among the
gender, educational attainment, and years of cohabitation
because those parents have been enlightened in their ways of
disciplining and imposing various punishments to their children.
Therefore, one of the main reasons why parents do implement
physical and emotional punishment as a form of discipline is for
the sake of their own children’s future.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the findings and conclusion, the following are hereby
recommended.
The future studies must extend the scope of their research as to
what extent does the parents commit physical and emotional
abuse. Researchers must also include the effects of child abuse
to the children who experiences physical and emotional abuse.
The future researchers must increase the number of their
respondents and change the locale in order to expand the result
of the study. Researchers must also seek help to the barangay
officials when they conduct their study.
The researchers must also conduct a Service Learning Program
(SLP) to different barangays to give insights to the parents about
R.A. 7610. To give advocacy and policy to prevent child abuse
cases.