Essays

1. What are the present problems that adolescents are faced with?
Article 1. Teen pregnancies in the Philippines
Filipino teens get a higher exposure to sex from the Internet, magazines, TV shows, movies and other media than decades ago, yet without any corresponding increase in information on how to handle the input. So kids are pretty much left to other kids for opinions and value formation when it comes to sex.
Sexual misinformation is therefore equally shared in the group. Parents at home and teachers in school feel equally uneasy to discuss the topic of sex with youngsters. The problem mounts because the barkada (gang) has a more profound influence than parents do and they exert pressure and expect the adolescent to conform to the rest of them.
In fact, female adolescents whose friends engage in sexual behavior were found to be more likely to do the same compared to those who do not associate with such peers. If the teen perceives her peers to look negatively at premarital sex, she was more likely to start sex at a later age.
Numbers
In the Philippines, according to the 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (Uppi) and the Demographic Research and Development Foundation, 26 percent of our Filipino youth nationwide from ages 15 to 25 admitted to having a premarital sex experience. What’s worse is that 38 percent of our youth are already in a live-in arrangement.
The 1998 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reveals that 3.6 million of our teenagers (which is 5.2 percent of our population) got pregnant. In 92 percent of these teens, the pregnancy was unplanned, and the majority, 78 percent, did not even use contraceptives the first time they had sex. Many of the youth are clueless that even on a single intercourse, they could wind up pregnant.

Risks
There are many reasons teen pregnancies should be avoided. Here’s a low down on the facts: * Risk for malnutrition
(Kahit wag mo na isama sa powerpoint ung each explanations, explain nalang natin. HEHE) Teenage mothers tend to have poor eating habits and are less likely to take recommended daily multivitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy. They are also more likely to smoke, drink or take drugs during pregnancy, which can cause health problems for the baby. * Risk for inadequate prenatal care
Teenage mothers are less likely to seek regular prenatal care which is essential for monitoring the growth of the fetus; keeping the mother’s weight in check; and advising the mother on nutrition and how she should take care of herself to ensure a healthy pregnancy. According to the American Medical Association, babies born to women who do not have regular prenatal care are 4 times more likely to die before the age of 1 year. * Risk for abortion
Unplanned pregnancies lead to a higher rate of abortions. In the United States, nearly 4 in 10 teen pregnancies (excluding those ending in miscarriages) are terminated by abortion. There were about 274,000 abortions among teens in 1996.
In the Philippines, although abortion is illegal, it would shock you to know that we even have a higher abortion rate (25/1,000 women) compared to the United States where abortion is legal (23/1,000 women). For sure, there are more abortions that happen in our country that are not even reported. Backdoor abortions are resorted to with untrained hilots with questionable sterility procedures, increasing the possibility for tetanus poisoning and other complications. * Risk for fetal deaths
Statistics of the Department of Health show that fetal deaths are more likely to happen to young mothers, and that babies born by them are likely to have low birth weight. * Risk for acquiring cervical cancer
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually-transmitted, wart-forming virus that has been implicated in causing cancer of the cervix. This is the most common cancer in women secondary to breast cancer. Women who are at increased risk for acquiring this are those who engage in sex before 18, have a pregnancy at or younger than 18, or have had at least 5 sexual partners, or have had a partner with at least 5 sexual partners.
If you start sex at an early age, you have a higher likelihood of going through several sexual partners before you settle down, thus increasing your exposure to acquiring the virus and acquiring cervical cancer. The men can get genital warts from this virus and can certainly pass it on to their partners, thus increasing her risk for cervical cancer. Is that something you would want to gift to your wife with on your honeymoon? There is a way to test women (HPV Digene test) but no test for the man so you can’t know if you have it. Using the condom does not confer protection against acquiring this virus since the condom cannot cover the testes where the warts can grow and proliferate.
Reference: Singson, R. (2008). Teen pregnancies in the Philippines. Retrieved from http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080614-142572/Teen-pregnancies-in-the-Philippines

Article 2. Rugby Boys: Inhalant Abuse in the Philippines
In a third- world country like the Philippines, substance abuse is rampant. The impoverished population is the most common victim of addiction to dangerous and illegal substances. Once they are "high" they forget the painful hunger they have been battling for days. Others though, become addicted because of family problems, poor self- esteem and peer pressure. Solvents, particularly rugby is the inhalant of choice in the Philippines for most teenagers since it can be easily accessed.
In a recent television documentary by Karen Davila, a Filipino broadcaster, a boy they ordered to buy rugby from a store easily purchased a bottle of rugby and was even told by the store- owner that the rugby should be wrapped in paper so that no one would notice. This is because there is a law prohibiting the selling of solvents to minors without parental consent. Yet, the presence of this law did not quell the selling of this dangerous solvent to children. These inconsiderate businessmen even teach the children how to get away with buying rugby, unintentionally flaming their addiction.
The documentary also clearly showed the effects of inhalant abuse on a person's body. One male teenager who served as the subject of the documentary has been addicted to rugby for five years. He started sniffing rugby due to the influence of his peers. He became addicted to rugby because of its' intoxicatingly sweet smell. His parents know about his addiction but as his mother tearfully explained, they can no longer stop him from inhaling the toxic substance. His father even resorted to physical beating to teach him a lesson, to no avail. All his friends are addicts and the meager money they earn are saved to buy a bottle of rugby. The boy even turned his addiction into business; he would buy a bottle of rugby then sell it in portions to his friends then whatever profit he makes will allow him to buy more bottles of rugby.
In the months they have observed this boy's life, they were able to capture him at his lowest point. With the years of abuse that his body suffered, he was no longer able to stand or walk properly and his body was merely skin and bones. When he was brought for a medical check- up, doctors found out that he had tuberculosis and that his liver and kidneys were not functioning well. Through CT Scan, it was remarkable that his brain was smaller in size than the average brain size for his age bracket. Doctors said that if he refuses to discontinue his habit, he would eventually wind up either a vegetable, in a coma or worse, dead.
This boy is just one of the hundreds of children and teenagers who are rugby users. Some manufacturers of this solvent have created a new type of rugby that does not have the "smell" these rugby addicts seek. This is a step in the right direction and hopefully, more manufacturers would follow.
Reference: Easterbrook, E. (2006). Rugby Boys: Inhalant Abuse in the Philippines. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/rugby-boys-inhalant-abuse-philippines-94899.html

2. What are the different views on homosexuality?
Article 1. Contesting Church's argument that gay sex is wrong because it is unnatural

According to the Catholic church and a majority of Christian churches, gay sex is immoral because it is unnatural. Gays could be accepted into the church but gay sex should be condemned because it is not natural.
John Corvino, a philosopher, an essayist and a professor of Philosophy from Wayne State University, USA, presents the nature arguments on homosexuality.
A pervasive perception that homosexuality is wrong is because it harms people. Here are Corvino’s ideas:

1. Homosexuality causes mental illness (depression, suicide).
2. Homosexuals are promiscuous.
3. Homosexual behavior spreads AIDS, bringing risk to both homosexuals and society as a whole.
4. Homosexuals' practice of anal sex is damaging to themselves.
5. Homosexuality threatens children.
6. Allowing homosexuality gives children the message that homosexuality is okay.
7. Homosexuality threatens society, since homosexuals cannot reproduce. [First, homosexuals can (and do) reproduce — just not with each other. Second, people who choose celibacy and people who are sterile cannot reproduce, yet we do not see them as threatening society.]
8. Homosexuality offends most people, and majority rules. [This argument goes back to the "harm principle" and even further back to the roots of classical liberalism, which sees a realm of individual liberty that exists apart from the majoritarian inclinations of popular feelings.]
9. Homosexuality violates biblical teaching.

Reference: Corvino, J. (2012). Contesting Church's argument that gay sex is wrong because it is unnatural. Retrieved from http://www.filipinobrisbane.com/2012/07/contesting-churchs-argument-that-gay.html

Article 2. Male Homosexual Culture of the Philippines

The homosexual culture is a little different in the Philippines then it's western counter-part. Homosexuals, cross-dressers, and bi-sexuals are all labeled under the term 'gay'. Surprisingly in a Catholic dominated country homosexuality is widely accepted in the Philippines compared to other cultures, even to dominant American culture but there is still much discrimination towards these people.
All gay men are stereotyped to want to be women and muscular gay men don't like to admit that their gay. Homosexual men fall into three categories.
1. Pa-girls. They're the ones associated with the beauty parlor. Their into cosmetics, the more make-up you have one the more your like a girl ( or the more you look like a prostitute). These group of people are the typical the gay stereotype that other homosexuals fall under. Pa-girls only want to be with 'straight' men because being with other homosexual men will be like being with another girl which would make them lesbian.
How would a Pa-girl convince a straight man to be his boyfriend and perform consensual sex with him. Money of course. It isn't hard to find a boyfriend if you have the money to keep one. The successful Pa-girls who win the most gay beauty pageants and earn more money doing someone's hair has the most steady boyfriend. Steady income equals steady boyfriend. He'll keep coming for his money. This shows the desperate situation in the Philippines that some people will do almost anything for money.
2. Pa-Mihn. They don't dress like women or act feminine in anyway. They hide the fact that their gay for fear of being unaccepted by society. They usually lead a double life by marrying a woman and then going out with his Pa-girl boyfriend at night.
They are sometimes labeled bi-sexual. Bi-sexual in the Philippines doesn't actually mean that you like both sexes, you might only like guys but since most pa-mihn are married, they fall under this category.
3. The new category is Urban Gays. They aren't ashamed of being gay and are usually more educated then the first two groups of homosexuals. Their outward appearance resembles the Pa-mihn because he doesn't like to cross-dress or look like a girl. They usually have a successful career and have a normal open relationship with their partner.
Reference: Santos, A. (2007). Male Homosexual Culture of the Philippines. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/male-homosexual-culture-philippines-398777.html?cat=7

3. How do sociologists and psychologists explain adolescent behavior in context of filipino psychology?
Article 1.
For Filipino adolescents, psychological well-being is translated as having good, harmonious, and meaningful interpersonal relationships with significant others and important ingroups- one’s family and peer group (barkada). Research studies suggest that receiving support, affection, and affirmation from parents is a vital source of positive self-image. Low family support was consistently found to be predictive of depression; while high family support boosts self-esteem. Likewise, relationships with peers and teachers in school are also considered important social factors that could impact the well-being of adolescents.
Ramos described Filipino adolescents’ happiness as a cognitive or mental state suggesting a positive perspective about life, and a strong belief in one’s competence and self-efficacy. Spirituality was also included as an important component of psychological well-being among Filipino adolescents. A happy Filipino adolescent is characterized as having belief in God, and establishes a personal relationship with Him by engaging in religious practices and living a morally accepted life.
Reference: Ramos, R.L. (2007). In the eye of the beholder: Implicit theories of happiness among Filipino adolescents. Philippine Journal of Counseling Psychology, 9 (1), 96- 127.

Article 2. Gender and Premarital Sex among Filipino youth
The family is the micro-world of the Filipino and performs very important functions. It transmits cultural values, beliefs and customs, molds the personality and character of its members, and ensures conformity to norms.

Studies point to liberalizing attitudes towards sexual issues among Filipino young, as well as the rising levels of sexual risk-taking activities.

In Filipino setting, for example, adolescents who perceived their parent to hold liberal attitude exhibited increased likelihood of engaging premarital sex but also in prostitution and risky sexual behavior.

Courtship
Courtship is a valued Filipino tradition with certain specific rules based on religious, sociocultural, and family values.
It is all right to publicly demonstrate decent affection, such as kissing, touching, and caressing.
A young Filipina should reserve criticism after the first date, be discreet about her feeling, and the man must cover (pay for) all expenses.
If dating leads to marriage, one must remember that marrying entails marrying into the spouse’s whole family as a clan.
Group dating is a common way for youths to initiate acquaintances with the opposite sex, particularly in urban areas. Usually, adolescents begin to go out on group dates at ages 13–16, and then go on single dates a couple of years later.
Filipino society continues to uphold the value of hiya, or shame, which strongly influences female behavior. Youngsters believe that females should adhere to strict roles in dating; subtle flirting is acceptable, but the outright wooing of men is not.

Premarital Sexual Activities
Sexual attitudes and behavior differ from one group of Filipino youth to another, depending on their social class, educational level, and place of residence.
In urban cities, adolescents and young adults are exposed to cosmopolitan life and consequently receive more information on sex and sexuality. Youth in small towns have narrower and more restricted ideas on sexuality, because of the family’s and Church’s strong control and influence.
The situation for rural youths is quite different. This is compounded by the lack of money and self-control. They learn and receive information about sex and sexual behavior from observing animals (e.g., dogs) and relatives and friends. Majority of these poor kids still believed it is a sin and morally unacceptable.
Call it “double standard” but “… males become sexually active earlier than females because of greater tolerance for premarital sexual behavior for males.”
Among girls, the memories of being deflowered were somewhat different from those of the boys. Because of guilt and shame, the majority of young females did not bother to get prior information about sexual intercourse and possible consequences of their first sexual encounters.
They perceived their first intercourse as the fulfillment of young love, motivated by peer pressure to keep their boyfriends.

Reference: http://asianjournalusa.com/gender-and-premarital-sex-among-filipino-youth-p6659-80.htm

4. In what ways does having a member of the family work abroad impact family relationships?
Article 1. Migration has negative effect on family structures

Migration changes family structures and can even destroy it, said Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCP) in a forum on migration.

The mass migration of Filipinos abroad leaves families broken. Family structures are changing with more single-parent families and households being headed by the older children of OFWs.

"The negative impacts (of migration) are not being considered because they are thinking only of economic benefits of the country," Mr. Lagdameo said.

According to him, the government is wrong in its focus, encouraging the break-up of families for economic gain. Other bishops in the region agree that poverty is a big reason for migration.

In his opening statement, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences secretary general Orlando B. Quevedo said, "Migration is not a luxury but a sign of poverty."

Mr. Lagdameo hopes that the government realizes and acknowledges the social impact migration has.

He also urged the government to work for better workers’ rights for Filipinos working abroad.

Reference: David, E. (2008). Migration has negative effect on family structures. Retrieved from http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/117069/pinoyabroad/migration-has-negative-effect-on-family-structures
Article 2. Ano na ang nangyayari sa mga anak ng OFWs?
Sa ngayon may itinatayang 3-6 million na mga anak ng OFWs. Sa mga bagong datos, pinakikita na mas maraming kababaihan ang umaalis ng bansa para magtrabaho. Sa 2,000-3,000 na umaalis sa bansa, 70 % ay babae. 85% dito ay galing sa low-income bracket. Ang mga edad ay naglalaro sa 22-24 at ang average age ng mga batang naiiwan ay 10 taon pababa. So talagang napakabata pa ang naiiwan ng magulang na nagtatrabaho sa abroad. Ano na ang nangyayari sa mga batang naiiwan? Una, nagiiwan ng emotional mark sa mga bata ang pag-alis ng 1 o 2 sa kanilang mga magulang. Ang mga bata ay natural na nangungulila sa presensiya ng kanilang nanay at tatay. Ngunit kapansin-pansin din ang tinatawag na “numbing effect.” Dumarating ang pagkakataon na nakakasanayan na din ng mga bata ang pagkawala ng kanilang mga magulang. Sa una, may pag-iyak, pag-aalala, at pagka-lungkot, ngunit sa pagdaan ng panahon ay nakakasanayan na din at hindi na nila alintana na ang pagiging ulila. Ikalawa, ang mga mas nakababatang anak ay nakaka-cope sa pamamagitan ng kanilang paglalaro, habang ang mga mas nakatatanda naman ay nalilibang ng barkada at nakakayang i-rationalize ang pag-alis ng kanilang magulang. Iniisip nila na umaalis ang kanilang nanay o tatay upang mapag-aral sila at mabigyan ng masaganang buhay. Ngunit sa kabila ng pag-rationalizenila ng kanilang sitwasyon, marami pa din sa kanila ang nasasaktan at nagkikimkim ng tampo at sama ng loob sa kanilang mga magulang. Ikatlo, ang mga bata ay naiiwan sa poder ng ibang mga kapamilya. Madalas sa mga nanay kung ang tatay ang umaalis, at madami din na sa tatay naiiwan kung ang nanay naman ang nag-aabroad. Kung parehong magulang ang umaalis, madalas din na sa mga kamag-anak naiiwan ang mga bata. Pang-huli, maraming pag-aaral na nagpapakita ng hindi magandang katayuan ng mga anak ng OFW pagdating sa emotional stability. 25% lamang sa mga bata ang may magandang relasyon sa kanilang mga magulang na nasa abroad. Ibig sabihin, 75% sa kanila ay lumalabas na may hindi magandang relasyon sa kanilang mga magulang.

Reference: Dr. Bautista, V. (2011). Ano na ang nangyayari sa mga anak ng OFWs? Retrieved from http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/editorial/sa-ganang-amin/12879-ano-na-ang-nangyari