Family Influences on the Risk Behaviors of Filipino Adolescents

Grace T. Cruz, University of the Philippines

Family Influences on the Risk Behaviors of Filipino Adolescents Grace T. Cruz University of the Philippines Population Institute The Philippine society is undergoing pervasive socio-economic and cultural transitions. Continuing modernization, increasing levels industrialization along with the worsening levels of urbanization have drastically changed the face of the Filipino society in general and the Filipino family in particular. Such changes along with rapid development and diffusion of information technology and mass media provide a unique context for the current generation of Filipino adolescents. As various factors compete to impinge on these young peoples’ lives, to what extend does the family remain meaningful to them? The paper works on the premise that adolescent behavior is an outcome of the interplay of various forces including individual characteristics as well as macro factors particularly the family. The Filipino family which is the microworld of the Filipino adolescent performs the function of providing biological support, emotional security, protection and status to members. It plays a very important role in the transmission of cultural values, beliefs and customs and in molding the character of its members. Yet, factors associated with modernization present a threat to the family structure which may spell a host of negative consequences on its young members. It is thus significant to look at the transitions that the Filipino family is undergoing and the extent to which this is impinging on the adolescent sector of the population. For this study, adolescent risk behavior is defined in terms of sexual (premarital sex, commercial sex and homosexual behavior) and non-sexual behaviors (smoking, drinking, drug use, suicide, violence and school drop out). Family variable is measured in terms of family structure indicators (person who mostly raised the adolescent, if adolescent is currently living with parent(s), adolescents perception of the stability of their parents’ union) and family control indicators (adolescents perception of the parental level of strictness, if parents are viewed as controlling or permissive by the adolescent). Particularly, the paper attempts to do the following: (1) provide a trend in the level of sexual, non-sexual risk behaviors among Filipino adolescents; (2) describe the familial context of the adolescents and the changes the family structure is undergoing through time and (3) determine the extent to which familial factors impinge on the adolescent risk behaviors. Results of the study demonstrate the increasing preponderance of sexual activities among the young including premarital sex, commercial sex and homosexuality with significant gender and age differentials. Increasing levels of equally risky and related behaviors such as smoking, drinking, substance use is also noted. Recent data (2002) also reveal a considerable level of violence, suicide and school drop out rate among the young. At the same time, the study notes an emerging pattern of family configuration which challenges the traditional family structure. Findings tend to suggest that the Filipino family is undergoing some stresses as evident by the considerable proportion of adolescents who claimed they were not raised by both parents as well as those who viewed their parents’ union to be unstable. In 1994, only three quarters of adolescents thought their parents’ relationship were stable. In addition, early home leaving among the adolescents is seen to contribute to the increasing proportion of young people who are not growing up under their parental guidance. The foregoing findings are significant considering the strong linkage between family variables and adolescent risk behaviors. Among other findings, the results suggest that adolescents not currently living with their parents are generally more prone to engage in anti-social behaviors compared to their counterparts who are still living within their parental fold. Growing up under the supervision of father alone or father with another partner is associated with greater propensity towards some risk behaviors particularly drug use, commercial sex and premarital sex. Logistic regression analysis suggest that adolescents who perceive their parents’ union to be stable are less likely to engage in smoking, drinking, drug use and are less prone to engage in premarital sex than those who view their parental union to be otherwise. Moreover, parents who are perceived to hold a liberal attitude increase the odds for adolescents to engage in risky social behaviors. The study is based on two nationally representative samples of adolescents in county conducted in 1994 (Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality study or YAFS II) and in 2002 (YAFS III). YAFS II collected information from a nationally representative sample of 11,000 adolescents ages 15-24 including both males and female, single and married. The study was funded by the UNFPA with technical assistance from the East-West Center, Population and Health Studies. The 2002 study or YAFS III included a bigger sample of almost 20,000 adolescents covering a wider age range, 15-27. Both studies explored a plethora of issues concerning the young people in the Philippines including their sexuality, reproductive health (STD and HIV knowledge and attitudes), non-sexual risk behaviors such as smoking, drinking, drug use, violence, suicide, school drop out and a host of other issues. YAFS III is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. For purposes of comparability, this study will limit its analysis to respondents ages 15-24.