Chapter I

THE PROBLEM

Introduction

Nowadays, a lot of students get involved to many kind of relationship.

According to Trajano 2018, “A true relationship is someone who accepts your

past supports your present, love and encourage your future”. Somehow, students

are getting careless on making decisions on this topic. Due to immaturity and

lack of guidance this may result to some negative and positive outcomes.

Negative results may be in a form which worst may lead to teenage

pregnancy. On the bright side, positive outcome may be in a form of serving as

an inspiration and boost student’s determination to focus on their studies to get

high grades/marks in their studies. It may also teach students on how to be

responsible, patient and mature on decision making ( DC 2004).

The study explores the reasons why Grade Ten(10) students of El Nonok

Integrated School ages 13 to 17 who are engaging in san early romantic

relationship. It discuss how teens research prospective partners and flirt with

others who interest them.

1
Research Questions:

This study aims to understand and to determine the reasons why grade 10

students of El Nonok Integrated School are engaging in an early romantic

relationship.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Why the grade Ten students involve in an early romantic relationship?

2. How early romantic relationship affects in terms of:

a. Personal growth

b. Family relationship

c. School performance

Scope and Delimitation

The study focuses on the reasons why Grade 10 students from El Nonok

Integrated School engaged/involved in an early romantic relationship.

It consist of five (5 ) boys and five (5) girls with the total of ten(10) Grade

10 students of El Nonok Integrated school of Barangay El Nonok, Banga, South

Cotabato. The researchers starts this study on November 2019 and ended on

March 2020.

2
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This qualitative research study will help in identifying on how the students

of El Nonok Integrated School engaged in an early romantic relationship.

Moreover, it will give benefits to the following:

STUDENTS. This study will help them understand how early romantic

relationship affects their day to day activities especially, in their academic

performances. They can use this study as an example to gain more knowledge.

Also, they will be aware of the limitations therein.

TEACHERS. The teachers will gain benefits from this study by being able

to understand the student’s academic performances as influenced by engaging in

an early romantic relationship. They may also teach the students on how to

handle early romantic relationship in a way that they will avoid early pregnancy,

and in a way that they will excel in their academic performances.

PARENTS. This study will help the parents understand how early romantic

relationship affects the academic performances, and personality of their children.

Furthermore, they will know how to guide their child.

RESEARCHERS. The study will help the researchers informed or

understand how engaging in an early romantic relationship while studying can

affect their studies.

3
 FUTURE RESEARCHERS. The study may serve as the reference to the

future researchers who will conduct similar studies. Furthermore, this may also

give them additional literature which could provide them relevant information.

Definition of Terms

For a clear understanding of this study, the following terms are defined

conceptually and operationally.

Engaging – tending to draw favorable attention or interest .(Merriam-Webster

Dictionary)

Early Romantic Relationship – an intimate connection of people who are

already expressing their feelings that involves physical and emotional intimacy

before the usual time or expected time.

El Nonok Integrated School – One of the Public schools of the Municipality of

Banga. Composed of different tribes. It is located at Barangay El Nonok, Banga,

South Cotabato.

Grade 10 Students – junior high school students who are officially enrolled at El

Nonok Integrated school in the school year 2019-2020.

4
 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter pertains to the reading of various literature and studies which

have bearing to the present study is essential as it helps in understanding the

concept of the research. In this part, provides an overview of research in relation

to our study.

EARLY ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP

According to Joshua 2016, love knows no age. You can feel at any stage

of your life. You can feel it as early as young or also could be late. Love is one of

the most profound emotions known to human beings. There are many kinds of

love, but many people seek its expression in a romantic relationship (Psychology

today 2019).

Romantic relationships compromise one of the most meaningful aspects

of life, providing a source of deep fulfillment. Romantic relationships are central

part of adolescents’ social worlds. These emerging relationships represent an

entirely new dynamic for youth, challenging them to deal with intense feelings

involving sexuality, love, and intimacy (Wendy Ellis 2019).

According to raising children.net.Au(2018), shows when teenage

relationship starts from 9-11 years, a child might show more independence from

family and more interest in friends; A child from 10-14 years, tend to spend more

time in mixed groups and might end up in a romantic relationship; from 15-19

years old, romantic relationship can become central to social life. Humans,

5
particularly adolescents get involve in romantic relationships with variety of

reasons.

According to Aristotle, humans are “social animals” which made them long

to form an intimate relationship in which love can be given and received freely

which is called by psychologist “the need to belong” (Myers, 2010).

In addition, Amet (as cited in Finchman and Cui, 2011), “late adolescents”

is the stage where teenagers experienced how to be totally and socially

independent. This is the time for the curiosity that somehow leads to a romantic

relationship. However, this relationship may not lead to a pleasant and intense

love affair. This is just a result of their inquisitive mind and a sort of finding on

how to fit into the world.

Furthermore, Raman(2010), stated that being in a romantic relationship

involves physical contact which causes chemical arousal to the persons involved

and at the same time gain love and confidence which they are longing for.

Moreover, Koob, Bloom, (2009) also explained this by stating that the

individuals who are involve release a number of chemicals within the brain such

as oxytocin, vasopressin and endorphins which cause short term joy and

pressure.

According to Larry Heart (2018), romantic relationships between

teenagers may have a negative impact. It can limit their social circle, require a

high level of maturity, and increase the probability of sexual contact. It also may

6
lead to distress and serious psychological problems, and unplanned pregnancy,

abortion, and drop out of school.

Furthermore, headspace (2018), stated that there are more negative

outcomes in engaging early romantic relationship it includes substance use,

academic difficulties, sexual health, stress, involvement in delinquent behavior,

unplanned pregnancy, violence, and depression.

Similarly, Campbell and Oliver (2006), pointed outcome negative cost of

having an early romantic relationship. Namely, stress, and worry about the

relationship, social and nonsocial sacrifices, increase dependents on the partner,

flights time and effort investment, and feeling worse about self.

According to Bold expert (2018), stated that it has a negative effect on

motivation and concentration, and thus also on learning. Early romantic

relationships are often very emotionally intense, leading teenagers to invest a

great deal of time and energy in them that otherwise be devoted to hobbies,

friends, family, and school works.

Moreover, romantic relationship gives more negative effects in

adolescents academic performances. Teens relationship consider as one source

of stress. Even those who give more importance on academics, spending time

with one’s partner may also serve as distraction (Myers 2010).

On the other hand, Judy Kilpatrick (2018), believed that teen relationship

is an important part of the process of establishing self-identity. Benefits on having

7
this relationship include development of social skills, independence, cooperation,

empathy and sensitivity.

Furthermore, these relationships provide stability, trust, and caring such

as romantic relationship can increase learner’s sense of belonging, self-respect

and performance (Lucas & Curpuz, 2017).

In addition, theorist suggested that romantic relationship has a great role

in the academic performance of adolescents. Vygotsky’s theory states that social

interaction plays a very important role in the cognitive development of an

individual and could not be understood without looking into the social and cultural

context. Furthermore, parents, peers, and partners, on the other hand,

cooperate, collaborate, and enrich the learning experience (Lucas & Curpuz,

2007).

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 Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methodology to be based in this study. It

includes research design, participants of the study, research instruments and

data collection, and data analysis.

Research Design

This study employed a qualitative research design specifically case study

which attempts to determine the effects of engaging in an early romantic

relationship of Grade 10 students who are enrolled at El Nonok Integrated School

in the school year 2019-2020.

Participants of the Study

The participants of this study were the students who engaged in an early

romantic relationship at El Nonok Integrated School. It was composed of ten (10)

grade 10 students, five (5) boys and five (5) girls particularly.

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Sampling Procedure

The sampling technique that the researchers used was purposive

sampling. They chose ten (10) Grade 10 students who were engaged in an early

romantic relationship that were officially enrolled at El Nonok Integrated School in

the school year 2019-2020.

Research Instrument and Data Collection

The data collection instrument that they used was questionnaire. They

distributed it to ten (10) Grade 10 students. They explained the contents of the

questionnaire and let the participants answered each question. Afterwards, all

the questionnaire were collected for analysis.

Data Analysis

The researchers transcribed the data from the questionnaires. The

researchers read and coded the answers from questionnaires. After coding, they

extracted and grouped the answers according to its theme. The grouped data

were assigned with themes that described the core ideas from the questionnaire.

10
 Chapter IV
RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter deals with the presentation, interpretation and analysis of the
data gathered.

The table below shows the different effects of engaging in an early

romantic relationship.

Themes Core Ideas

Experience -“Dahil gusto kong ienjoy ang aking
high school life at gusto kong
maranasan kung paano magmahal.”
(“because I want to enjoy my high
school life and also I want to
experience how to love.”)
- “Kay gusto ko ma testingan kung ano
ang feel ang may nobya.” (because I
want to try what is the feeling of having
a girlfriend.”)

Inspiration -“uhmm, Idunno but having a partner in

life (boyfriend/girlfriend) makes me
more inspired toward my studies. I
know that some people say that having
an early relationships can destroy
someone’s life (studies), but for me, it
is MOTIVATING”

Table 1. Reasons why grade ten students involve in an early romantic

relationship

11
 Table 1 stated that the reasons why the grade 10 students involve in an
early romantic relationship. Some of our respondents answered for experienced
by stating: “Dahil gusto kong ienjoy ang aking high school life at gusto kong
maranasan kung paano magmahal.” (“because I want to enjoy my high school
life and also I want to experience how to love”. “Kay gusto ko ma testingan kung
ano ang feel ang may nobya.” (because I want to try what is the feeling of having
a girlfriend.”) and some respondents answer for inspiration by stating: “uhmm,
Idunno but having a partner in life (boyfriend/girlfriend) makes me more inspired
toward my studies. I know that some people say that having an early
relationships can destroy someone’s life (studies), but for me, it is MOTIVATING”

Table 1 is the basis that the reasons why grade 10 students are engaging
in an early romantic relationship are for experience and inspiration.

Table 2.Effects of engaging in an early romantic relationship of grade

10 students of El Nonok Integrated School.

2.1 Personal Growth

Theme Core Ideas

Conscious in physical appearance -“feel conscious ofnhowni look”.
-“itsura k okay gusto ko sa akon
lang sya ma attract. (My face
because I want that only me can
attract her”.)
Outfit conscious -“I dress formal outfit”

Change in attitude -“ My attitude changed”

-“ Nagbag o ang attitude ko”.
(“there is a change in my
attitude”.)

12
 Table 2.1 discusses what are the effects of engaging in an early romantic
relationship in terms of personal growth. Some of our respondents answer
conscious in physical appearance by stating:”feel conscious of how I look”.
“itsura k okay gusto ko sa akon lang sya ma attract. (My face because I want that
only me can attract her”). One of the respondents answer conscious about her
outfit by saying: “I dress formal outfit”. There is also respondent answered there
is a change in her attitude by stating: “ My attitude changed” ,“ Nagbag o ang
attitude ko”. (“there is a change in my attitude”.)

2.2 Family Relationship

Theme Core Ideas
Disobedience to the family -“gin suway ko nga di anay mag nobya
kag bal an ko nga sala ni”.(“ I disobeyed
my parents that I will not going to have a
girlfriend and I know that this is a
mistake”).
Complication -“ all I can say its complicated”
-“ its complicated coz get more attention
with him/her and may I get less attention.”
Acceptance with in the family -“tanggap naman nila dahil nag aaral
naman ako ng mabuti”.( They accepted
this because I still studying hard”.)

Table 2.2 stated that engaging in an early romantic relationship can give different
effects in terms of family relationship. One of the respondents answered
disobedience to the family by stating: “gin suway ko nga di anay mag nobya kag
bal an ko nga sala ni”.(“ I disobeyed my parents that I will not going to have a
girlfriend and I know that this is a mistake”). Some respondents answered
complication: “ all I can say its complicated”, “ its complicated coz get more
attention with him/her and may I get less attention.” Lastly one of the

13
respondents answered acceptance with in the family by stating: “tanggap naman
nila dahil nag aaral naman ako ng mabuti”.( They accepted this because I still
studying hard”.)

2.3 School Performance

Theme Core Ideas
Less of absence -“wala nako kaayo ga absent kay
gusto ko siya pirmi Makita.”( the
numbers of my absent reduced
because I want to see her always”).
Inspiration -“wa namang problema sa pag aaral
ko dahil inspirasyon ko siya sa bawat
pag pasok ko sa eskwelahan”. (“ there
is no problem with my studies
because she is my inspiration every
time I go to school”)
Cannot focus on the studies -“hindi ako makapag focus at
bumababa ang grado ko”. (“I can’t
focus on my studies and my grades
are falling”)

Table 2.3 discusses about the effects of engaging in an early romantic

relationship in terms of school performances. One of the respondents answered
less number of absences by stating: “wala nako kaayo ga absent kay gusto ko
siya pirmi Makita.”( the numbers of my absences reduced because I want to see
her always”). One of the respondents answered that the effect of engaging in an
early romantic relationship in terms of school performances is being inspired: “wa
namang problema sa pag aaral ko dahil inspirasyon ko siya sa bawat pag pasok
ko sa eskwelahan”. (“ there is no problem with my studies because she is my
inspiration every time I go to school”). One of the respondents answered that
engaging in an early romantic relationship can give also a negative effects in

14
temrs of school performance by answering: “hindi ako makapag focus at
bumababa ang grado ko”. (“I can’t focus on my studies and my grades are
falling”).

Chapter V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter presented the summary, conclusion and recommendation

suggested by the researchers for this study.

Summary

The research was conducted to determine what are the reasons why
grade ten students from El Nonok Integrated school involves in an early romantic
relationship and its corresponding effects in terms of personal growth, family
relationship, and school performances.

This research was made using qualitative research particularly a case

study. The tool used in gathering the answers to the research included the
questionnaire. The researchers transcribed the gathered data using codes and
themes.

The reasons why grade 10 students from El Nonok Integrated School

engaging in an early romantic relationship was for inspiration and also for
experience. Engaging in an early romantic relationship has a corresponding
effects in terms of personal growth, family relationship, and school performances.
In terms of personal growth, the following were the effects of involving in an early
romantic relationship. Conscious in physical appearance, outfit conscious, and
change in attitude. There is also an effect in terms of family relationship:
Disobedience to the family, complication, and acceptance with in the family.

15
Lastly for school performances, the following are the effects: less number of
absences and inspiration.

Conclusion

Based on the data that the research gathered, the following conclusion were
made:

1. The grade ten students of El Nonok Integrated School claimed that the
reasons why they are engaging in an early romantic relationship was for
experience and inspiration.
2. The grade ten students from El Nonok Integrated School also claimed that
engaging in an early romantic relationship has an effect in terms of
personal growth, family relationship and school performance. The
following are the effects:

Personal Growth:

-Conscious in physical appearance

-Outfit conscious

-Change in attitude

Family Relationship:

-Disobedience to the family

-Complication

-Acceptance with in the family

School Peroformance

-Less number of absences

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 -Inspiration

Recommendation

1. The grade ten students should know their limitations. So that their studies
will not be affected
2. The grade ten students should continue to reach their dreams
3. The grade ten students should continue to make their partners as their
inspiration
4. The researcher can make use of their study to further investigate what are
the reason and effects of engaging in an early romantic relationship.

17
 REFERENCES

Internet/Online Resources

https://www.docsity.com/en/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-having-an-early-relationship-
while-studying/5244448/

https://www.academia.edu/7736954/
The_Effects_of_Romantic_Relationships_on_the_Academic_Performance_of_University_of_the
_Philippines_Cebu_College_Students_ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/relationships

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/romantic-relationship

https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/communicating-relationships/romantic-relationships/
teen-relationships

https://www.academia.edu/7736954/
The_Effects_of_Romantic_Relationships_on_the_Academic_Performance_of_University_of_the
_Philippines_Cebu_College_Students_ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

https://boufantgirl.tumblr.com/post/86231652224/why-i-think-louis-and-harry-are-in-a-
romantic

https://headspace.org.au/assets/download-cards/romanticrelationships-adolescent-romantic-
relationships-why-are-they-important-headspace-evsum.pdf

https://bold.expert/early-romantic-relationships-offer-many-opportunities-for-learning/

18
https://www.academia.edu/7736954/
The_Effects_of_Romantic_Relationships_on_the_Academic_Performance_of_University_of_the
_Philippines_Cebu_College_Students_ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

https://www.academia.edu/7736954/
The_Effects_of_Romantic_Relationships_on_the_Academic_Performance_of_University_of_the
_Philippines_Cebu_College_Students_ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

https://www.docsity.com/en/effects-of-having-a-romantic-relationship-while-studying/
2438363/

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/engaging

19
 APPENDIX A
LETTER OF PERMISSION
February 11, 2020

NEMESIO M. ALVERO
Principal I
El Nonok Integrated School
Brgy. El Nonok, Banga, South Cotabato

Sir:

Greetings of peace!

The undersigned would like to ask for your permission to allow us to conduct a
research study as one of the requirements of Senior High School HUMMS in
Practical Research I.

We would like to ask your approval in obtaining the necessary data to be utilized
in the accomplishment to our study entitled “Engaging in an Early Romantic
Relationship of Grade 10 Students of El Nonok Integrated School”.

May we anticipate your soonest action and approval on this request.

Respectfully,

ERIC JHON R. VIRGINIA

Researcher

NOTED:

LALAINE E. ESCOVIDAL
Practical Research I Adviser

20
Approved by:

NEMESIO M. ALVERO
Principal I
APPENDIX B
QUESTIONNAIRE

Questionnaire for A Study on Engaging in an Early Romantic Relationship

of Grade 10 Students of El Nonok Integrated School

Rationale: Early romantic relationship is an intimate connection of people who

are already expressing their feelings that involves physical and emotional
intimacy before the usual time or expected time. Nowadays, a lot of students get
involved to many kind of relationship. Somehow, students are getting careless on
making decisions on this topic. Due to immaturity and lack of guidance this may
result to some negative and positive outcomes. As early romantic relationship is
rampant nowadays, this study will determine the effects of engaging in an early
romantic relationship of Grade 10 Students of El Nonok Integrated School.
This study aims to gain awareness about having a relationship at an early
age. The result may be positive or negative. Thus, the researchers are hoping
that the participants answer the following questions honestly with cooperation for
the better success of this study. Thank you and God bless.

NAME: (optional) __________________________________________________

GRADE LEVEL: _______________________________AGE:_______________

DIRECTION: Answer the questions honestly. You can use English, Filipino,
Hiligaynon in answering the questions.

1. Why the grade ten (10) students involve in an early romantic relationship?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

2. How early romantic relationship affects in terms of:

a. Personal Growth
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

b. Family Relationship

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________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

c. School Performance
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

22
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