Challenges and Threats to Filipino Families

1. Challenges andThreats to Filipino Families By: Grace M. Mabasa

2. WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE CURRENT PROBLEMS OF FILIPINO FAMILIES?

3. Filipino Families today are moreexposed to a growing number ofdiverse life threatening problemsthan
any other generation has everbeen.

4. The forces that undermine familystability are likened to “ D SPEARS” thatmay kill and wound the goals
and dreamsof every family. These threats and risks canundermine the safety, health, well-beingand
future of Filipino families.

5. D SPEARS can threaten families. These threats are the following:Disintegration of familySubstance
abuseParental absenteeismEconomic difficultiesAbsence of family goals and deterioratingvaluesRising
incidence of early sexual involvementand teenage pregnanciesStrong negative influence of media on the
family

6. DISINTEGRATION OF FAMILY Increasing fragility of marriage.

7. • Among the many factors which contribute to thefragility of urban Filipino families is the
looseningcontrol on the young.• Today young people are more independent andare allowed greater
freedom. The increasedmobility of young people for recreation and leisurepurposes has made it difficult
for parents to monitorthem.

8. Delinquency among adolescentsJuvenile Delinquency- can be explained by the failure ofsocial control
which is one of the responsibilities of the family

9. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

10. PHYSICAL, PHYCHOLOGICAL AND VERBAL ABUSE

11. Domestic Violence – takes place when thevictim and the perpetrator are eitherrelated to each other
by blood or affinity, orlive in the same householdTypes of Domestic Violence•Rape•Incest•Spouse
Battering•Sexual harassment•Physical, verbal, psychological andeconomic abuse

12. SUBSTANCE ABUSESubstance Abuse- refers to continued use of substancesthat affect the way a user
functions physically andsocially. It results to social or occupational impairement.The following areas
where drug pushers usuallytransact business:1. shopping malls2. markets3. school premises4. other
crowded areaswhere they can go abouttheir business unnoticed5. internet cafes

13. The dangers of drug abuse Once a person starts using drugs and succumbs to repeateduse, it
becomes hard and painful to quit on his or her own volition.The most frightening effect of drug use is
dependence.Why do children and young adults use drugs? The most common reason given by children
and young adultsis that these prohibited drugs are relatively easy to get.Pushers roam neighborhoods
where children could be easily luredand victimized.Other reasons which are more serious and should be
givenimmediate attention are:1. Abusive parents2. Family problems3. Peer pressure4. insecurity5. The
feeling that parents have given up on the child6. Accesibility or visibility of some kind of inhalant in the
home such as rugby of thinner.

14. Parents should maintain a mix of firmness and kindnessin paying attention to their children. They
should be ableto detect slightest changes in their kids.Cold or headache medicine should be kept away
fromchildren.Ways to help children say “NO TO DRUGS” 1. Educate about drugs 2. Listen intently to your
children 3. Make them feel good about themselves 4. Never use put-down words 5. Praise them for their
efforts & accomplishments 6. Do not dwell on failures 7. Be a model for your kids by being vice-free 8.
Support your kids especially when they are faced with peer pressure

15. When your children are into drugs, the following areadvisable: 1. Calm down. Berating your child
only makes the problem worse 2. Go beyond telling your child to stop drugs now. 3. Think together with
your child and ask why. Listen and try to understand your child’s reasons taking drugs. 4. Make the issue
a family matter. 5. Encourage your child to get help. 6. Go through family counselling 7. Contact a
medical specialist and your nearest rahabilitation center.

16. PARENTAL ABSENTEEISMHow many parents in your communityare working abroad? How
manyamong them are planning to live theirfamilies for greener pasture?

17. PARENTAL ABSENTEEISM Today, the family is brokenbecause of the diminishing opportunitiesfor
them to be one. The real meaning of family hasbeen distorted. Family is equated withmaterial
possessions. Many parentsleave their young children to seek bettereconomic opportunities. Many
parents replace theirpresence with the latest gadgets. Absence of parents destroys thesolidarity in the
family.

18. Economic Difficulties Although it has been acknowledged that money is not the most important thing
in the family, we have to admit that economic difficulties is one of the biggest challenges being faced by
many families today.As a result of this, children aremalnourished, cannot go to schooland instead work
to augment familyincome at a very young age.Children and young people in thestreets are exposed to all
kinds ofhazards (addiction, exposure totoxic substances and pollution)with negative impact on their
healthand overall development.

19. ABSENCE OF FAMILY GOALS AND DETERIORATING VALUES Families who don’t have goals to live in a
day to dayexistence. The absence of values and goals to guide familydecisions and activities can cause
members to lose sight ofwhat is truly worthwhile. Values are strong feelings or beliefs about issues,
ideasor things that are considered important by the person. Individuals and families have different
values. Itinfluences a person’s most important decisions about friends,sexual relationship, family
education, work and money. Failure of parents to recognize higher meaning andpurpose of the family
can lead to materialism, instantgratification and pleasure as life’s chief goals.

20. LIVE OUT OUR VALUES; IF WE WALK OUR TALK, WE BECOME MORE CONFIDENT IN OURSELVES
ANDIN OUR DEALING WITH OTHERS WITH RESPECT AND LOVE.
21. RISING INCIDENCE OF EARLY SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT AND TEENAGE PREGNANCIES/MARRIAGESToo
Early Sexual Involvement This refers to engaging in someform of sexual encounter orsexual intercourse at
an early age.Too early sexual involvement often leads to WASTED lives.W eak self-imageA dolescent or
teenage pregnancyS exually transmitted infectionsT een marriageE motional woundsD isrupted goals

22. STRONG NEGATIVE INFLUENCE OF MEDIAMedia has a negative influence on the family, especially on
the youth Too much exposure to violent crimes and sex in the media brings damage to the upbringing of
children. Because of media, the interpersonal relationship in the family seems to have been neglected.
Family ties that used to be very close are being threatened.

23. THE FOLLOWING OVERCOMES FAMILY THREATS AND CHALLENGESO pen and honest communication
between spousesand children should always be encourageV iolence or any form of abuse should not be
toleratedE mpowerment of family membersR elationship of family members must be strengthenedC
ommunication, relationship, decision- making andproblem solving skills of family members should
bedeveloped and harnessedO utings or get–together with the family should bedone regularlyM edia
exposures of the children should beclosely monitoredE conomic activities that contribute to family
welfareshould be ensuredS pirituality of family members should be nurtured.

24. OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE. Adolescents have tremendous capacity to contribute to country’s
development . Parents should work hard todevelop their child and empower them to make the right
choices and responsible decisions

25. Thank you