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CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

Children are considered to be the greatest and special gifts given by God to parents. With

this, they are needed to be treasured, nurtured or raised in the best way they can be although

being such is a complex responsibility.

Parenting is the process of raising and educating a child from birth, or before, until

adulthood. Usually, parental figures provide for a child's physical needs, protect them from

harm, and impart in them skills and cultural values until they reach legal adulthood. Furthermore,

parenting styles and practices vary from one person to another. In addition, the techniques of

childrearing that a parent uses when raising a child ultimately have a great effect on the child and

how he or she develops (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/parenting).

Adolescence can be a time of high risk for children, where newfound freedom can result

in decisions that drastically open up or close off life opportunities. Nowadays, adolescent

pregnancy rate in the country is increasing and thus adolescent mothers are also subsequently

increased. According to the Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc. (FFPDI), the

steady increase in the incidence of teen pregnancies in the country in the past few years has

reached an “alarming stage”. Dr. Ma. Corazon Zaida Noblejas-Gamilla who is the President of

Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), believed that teen pregnancy is
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increasing and had reach its alarming stage because adolescents are in a particularly vulnerable

stage when they are more likely to experiment with sex as fueled by their inquisitiveness, by

their peer’s urging, or by the influence of what they see and hear in the media. Dr. Gamilla also

reported that of the estimated 1.7 to 2 million babies born every year, around 30 percent come

from young women (Buban, 2008).

In 2000 alone, young mothers gave birth to 818,000 babies which mean that almost one

of every 10 babies is born to teenage mothers. Moreover, Benjamin de Leon, FFPDI president

said that the latest data from the National Statistics Office showed that of 1.7 million babies born

in 2004, almost 8 percent were born to mothers aged 15-19. One out of ten young women aged

10-19 is already a mother and almost half of young women 20-24 years old will have began

bearing children. He added that almost 30 percent of Filipino women become mothers before

reaching their 21st birthday (Ramos, 2008).

In this condition, adolescent mothers are face in a critical situation wherein they enter the

world of motherhood unexpectedly. They are now mothers who are the primary caregiver and

responsible for the development of their children. Many assumptions arise about the ability of

the adolescent mother in child rearing. Some said that there are differences in the quality of

parenting given by them as compared to adult mothers since adolescent mother (Borkowski &

Whitman 1980) are believed to be more passive in their face-to-face interactions, less-skilled and

less knowledgeable in parenting. Although others think those adolescent mothers and their

children have favorable outcomes and do very well in spite of numerous adversities

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/adolescent parenting).
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Hence this study was conducted to determine the socio-demographic factors affecting the

parenting styles and practices of adolescent mothers. Moreover, the researcher intended to find

out the parenting styles and practices and the extent of application of adolescent mothers in terms

of behavioral development, emotional development, physical development and social

development.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The theory emphasized in this study is the parent child interaction model. In the 1970s,

when Barnard began her studies of infants and their mothers, there was minimal appreciation of

the connections between earliest communication, touch, brain growth, and the ways humans

develop the social, emotional and behavioral capacities to self-regulate, connect with others, and

experience the world as a safe and predictable place. In 1971, through a contract with the US

Public Health Service, Division of Nursing, Barnard developed a system for assessing behaviors

of infants and parents during the routine interactions of feeding and teaching and identified

environmental factors that are critical to a child's later cognitive and language development.

In the study, mothers maintain their interaction to their children by means of their

parenting practices towards their children in the areas of behavioral development, emotional

development, physical development, and social development. Interaction is present among them

especially when mothers tend to care, teach, guide and discipline their children. Nevertheless,

child’s response may vary depending on the parenting styles and practices applied by mothers.
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CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Figure 1 shows the socio-demographic profile of adolescent mother as the independent

variable and parenting styles and practices of adolescent mothers as the dependent variable. This

implies that the socio-demographic profile such as age, civil status, educational attainment,

religious affiliation, and living condition, place of residence, occupation and monthly family

income are related to the parenting style and practices of the adolescent mothers.

Socio-demographic
Factors

 Age
 Civil Status Parenting Styles and
 Educational Attainment Practices of Adolescent
 Religious Affiliation
Mothers
 Living Condition
 Place of Residence
 Occupation
 Monthly Family Income
 Source of Income

Figure 1. Research Paradigm.

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Statement of the Problem

Generally, the study aimed to determine the socio-demographic factors affecting

parenting styles and practices of adolescent mothers in Brgy. 35 Bil-Loca Batac Ilocos Norte.

More specifically, it aimed to:

1. Determine the sociodemographic profile of the adolescent mothers as to:

a.Age

b. Civil Status

c.Educational Attainment

d. Religious Affiliation

e.Living Condition

f. Place of Residence

g. Occupation

h. Monthly Family Income

i. Source of Income

2. Determine the parenting styles and practices of adolescent mothers in terms of:

a. behavioral development

b. emotional development

c. physical development

c.1. nutrition

c.2. rest and sleep

c.3. hygiene

d. social development
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3. Determine the extent of application of the adolescent mothers of these parenting

practices.

4. Determine if there is a significant relationship between the socio-demographic

factors and the parenting styles of the adolescent mothers.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

5. The main concern of the study is the adolescent mothers who are 12-20

years of age and their parenting styles and practices towards their children aged 1-

3 years old. The respondents were from Bil-loca Batac Ilocos Norte with the

following specific objectives: 1. the parenting styles and practices of adolescent

mothers in terms of: a.behavioral development b. emotional development

c.physical development c.1. nutrition c. 2. rest and sleep c.3. hygiene d. social

development 2. What is the extent of application of the adolescent mothers of

these parenting practices. 3.Is there is a significant relationship between the

socio-demographic factors and the parenting styles of the adolescent mothers.

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Significance of the Study

Parenting styles and practices vary from one person to another, for this reason the main

concern of the study are the adolescent mothers and their parenting styles and practices on their

children who are 1-3 years old. Nowadays, incidence of pregnancy is increasing among

adolescents who subsequently become young mothers. Adolescent mothers are assumed to be

less knowledgeable about child development and they are thought to be less committed, less

satisfied and less skilled than older mothers (Borkowski and Whitman, 1998). The researcher,

belonging to the adolescent group and for being future mother or parent, is interested in studying

how adolescent mothers perform their role as the primary caregiver to their children.

Specifically, the result of the study will be of benefits to the following:

Adolescent Mothers. It will deepen their awareness and knowledge on more effective

parenting styles and practices which in turn give them the idea on how to cope up and improve

their parenting styles and practices. It will also give them further knowledge on the factors that

could affect their choice of parenting which will help them in raising their children properly.

Other Mothers. The result of the study will provide information on how adolescent

mothers raise their children. Through this study, they will come to know the different parenting

styles and practices of adolescent mothers which could also broaden their knowledge on more

effective parenting and eventually improve their judgment on childrearing.

Children. They will be greatly benefited for better parenting that yields for their better

personality development since this study will serve as a basis of reflection leading to better

judgment on what parenting styles and practices to apply to the child.

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Other Adolescents. This will help them understand and be aware on more effective ways

on how they will raise their children in the future. This will also enable them to realize on the

possible consequences of being an adolescent mother.

Nursing Educators. Findings of this study will be an essential source of knowledge for

nursing educators since it will broaden their view on different parenting styles and practices

particularly in this study on adolescent mothers as well as the factors affecting their parenting

styles and practices. Moreover, this could serve as a reference material for their lecture on the

concept of parenting.

Nursing Students. The result of the study can be used by nursing students for needed

information regarding parenting styles and practices of adolescent mothers. It will also be an

instrument for developing their right skills, knowledge and attitude in dealing with adolescent

mothers.

Researchers. The study can be utilized as a baseline reference for future researchers who

wish to conduct related studies that would contribute to the welfare of adolescent mothers.
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Definition of Terms

The following terms are hereby defined to have a common understanding of the words

and concept used in the study.

Adolescent Mother. It refers to the respondents of the study who are 12- 20 years of

age and who have children aged 1-3 years old.

Parenting practices. These are the set of practices that adolescent mothers apply in

their child’s behavioral development, emotional development, physical development

and social development.

Behavioral Development. It refers to the progressive changes on the

child's distinct personality and behavior.

Emotional Development. It refers to the progressive changes on the

child’s emotional aspect.

Physical Development. It refers to the progressive changes that happen

to the child physically as to nutrition, sleeping and hygiene.

Hygiene. It refers to the child’s body cleanliness through

bathing, tooth brushing and how he performs toilet training.

Nutrition. It refers to the intake of food of the child for

nourishment.

Rest and Sleep. It refers to how the child takes a break from

his activities.

Social Development. It refers to the progressive changes on the child’s

social life as to play and interaction with other people.

Parenting Style. It refers to how the adolescent mother raises their children.
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Authoritarian. It is the type of parenting of the adolescent mother

wherein she strictly sets limits to the child and rarely shows love to her

child.

Democratic. It is the type of parenting wherein the adolescent mother

both sets limits and shows love moderately.

Permissive. It is the type of parenting wherein the adolescent mother

shows much love and sets low limits.

Socio-demographic profile. It refers to the attributes of the adolescent mothers such

as age, civil status, educational attainment, religious affiliation, living condition,

place of residence, occupation, monthly family income and source of income.

Age. It refers to how old the respondents in years as to last birthday.

Civil Status. It refers to the respondent’s marital condition whether

single, married or widowed.

Educational Attainment. It refers to the highest level of education

obtained by an adolescent mother and are classified as:

College Graduate. One who finished a tertiary

educational program or baccalaureate degree.

College Level. One who entered college but did not

complete tertiary level requirements.

Elementary Graduate. One who finished

elementary education.

Elementary Level. One who entered elementary but

did not finish primary level requirements.

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High School Graduate. One who completed

secondary education requirements.

High School Level. One who entered high school but

did not finish secondary education program.

Vocational Graduate. One who finished a

vocational course.

Living Condition. It refers to whether the adolescent mother lives with

her parents or not.

Monthly Family Income. It refers to income of the family on a monthly

basis based on NEDA classification.

P 999 and below

P 1,000 – 4,999

P 5,000 – 5, 999

P 6,000 – 9, 999

P 10, 000 – 14, 999

P 15, 000 and above

Occupation. This refers to the type of work the adolescent mother

presently engages in.

Place of residence. It refers to the location of the house of the respondents

either urban or rural.

Religious Affiliation. It refers to the adolescent mother’s membership to a

particular church at present.

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Source of Income. It refers to the various means the adolescent mother

engages in to earn income or to the financial aid provided by other people.

Toddler. It refers to the child of the adolescent mother who is 1-3 years old.
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CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

Having a child is undeniably one of life’s most challenging and rewarding experiences.

And every mother’s dream is to raise her children into well-adjusted individuals, to equip them

with the essential life skills and knowledge for the future and to see them lead successful adult

lives.

Parenting includes the broadest idea on training and educating the child during his early,

formative years. It is an act of providing a nurturing and controversial environment that promotes

growth and development in a child. In addition, Darling (1999) stated that parenting is a complex

activity that includes many specific behaviors that work individually and together to influence

child outcomes. These parenting practices affect hoe the child would grow and develop.

Polland (2000) claimed that there is no formal training required for parenthood, the only

absolute prerequisite is physical maturation, which does not ensure emotional or intellectual

readiness for parenthood. On the other hand, Pangilinan (2004) stressed in her article that it is the

prime responsibility of parents to nurture their families in the shelter of true community and to

shield their spouses and children from all attempts to corrupt their hearts and minds, to rob them

of their innocence, their physical and emotional safety and their right to decent society.

The role of the mother. There’s a saying of Felicia Hermans, “There is in all this cold and

hollow would no found of deep, strong, deathless love that save within a mother’s heart”. To be

a mother (Quito, 2004) is to endeavor to constantly keep a welcoming home fueled by the
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warmth of love. To be such is a role full of sacrifices. It is setting aside personal concerns for the

benefits of one’s children.

In Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s “Message to the Women of Malolos”, he stressed the vital role

mothers play; providing maternal affection, care and comfort, tenderness, guidance and direction

to their children and family. In short, “a mother is like a steady rudder that stabilizes the family’s

ship as it travels the uncharted sea of life.”

The society views motherhood as something special. They believe that mothers should

provide security and stability for their children. A mother must sacrifice many of her own wants

and desires for the benefit of her child (March, 2000).

A child’s first teacher is his or her mother and as experts have established, the learning

process begins right after from the womb. To carry out her role in early education, Legarda

(2008) stated in her article, that a mother must herself be prepared and ready with the appropriate

skills and knowledge of the first teacher and nurse.

Furthermore, the mother role is performed best when the mother integrates attitudes

learned from observation of and interaction with her own mother, the development of

motherliness (a feeling of emotional bond with the child), and the acquisition of child care skills

and some knowledge of child development.

According to Crickett (2003) mothers are blessed as they diligently teach and nurture

their children. They learn about the plan of salvation and their potential future as eternal mothers.

She added that the sacred work of mothers is crucial because of its powerful influence in

children’s lives. Iin addition, Brigham Young University scholars explain mothering this way:
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Motherhood is a . . . sacred dedication for carrying out the Lord’s plans, a

consecration of devotion to the uprearing and fostering, the nurturing in body,

mind, and sprit, of those who kept their first estate and who come to this earth for

the second estate "to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God

shall command them" (Abraham 3:25). To lead them to keep their second estate is

the work of motherhood, and they who keep their second estate shall have glory

added upon their heads forever and ever. (Hawkins et al., 2000, p. 70)

Indeed, the child awaits to be molded into a healthy, wise and good adults in the hands of

a mother.

PARENTING STYLE

A parenting style maybe defined as the approach in which parents express their beliefs

and practices of how to be good or bad parent. This beliefs influence how a parent interact with

their children. A parent style may differ depending on their culture, family history and societal

values that constitute a good or bad parenting.

Authoritarian. Authoritarian parents always try to be in control and exert their control

on the children. These parents set strict rules to try to keep order, and they usually do this

without much expression of warmth and affection. They attempt to set strict standards of conduct

and are usually very critical of children for not meeting those standards. They tell children what

to do, they try to make them obey and they usually do not provide children with choices or

options (Ianelli, 2004).

Authoritarian parents don't explain why they want their children to do things. If a child

questions a rule or command, the parent might answer, "Because I said so." Parents tend to focus
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on bad behavior, rather than positive behavior, and children are scolded or punished, often

harshly, for not following the rules (Ianelli, 2004).

He added that children with authoritarian parents usually do not learn to think for

themselves and understand why the parent is requiring certain behaviors.

Moreover, Martin (1999) affirmed that children and adolescents from authoritarian

families (high in demandingness, but low in responsiveness) tend to perform moderately well in

school and be uninvolved in problem behavior, but they have poorer social skills, lower self-

esteem, and higher levels of depression..

Permissive. Permissive parents give up most control to their children. Parents make few,

if any, rules, and the rules that they make are usually not consistently enforced. They don't want

to be tied down to routines. They want their children to feel free. They do not set clear

boundaries or expectations for their children's behavior and tend to accept in a warm and loving

way, however the child behaves (Ianneli, 2004).

More so, permissive parents give children as many choices as possible, even when the

child is not capable of making good choices. They tend to accept a child's behavior, good or bad,

and make no comment about whether it is beneficial or not. They may feel unable to change

misbehavior, or they choose not to get involved (Ianneli, 2004).

Children and adolescents from permissive homes (high in responsiveness, low in

demandingness) are more likely to be involved in problem behavior and perform less well in

school, but they have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and lower levels of depression

(Martin, 1999).

Democratic. According to Ianneli (2004), democratic parents help children learn to be

responsible for themselves and to think about the consequences of their behavior. Parents do this
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by providing clear, reasonable expectations for their children and explanations for why they

expect their children to behave in a particular manner. They monitor their children's behavior to

make sure that they follow through on rules and expectations. They do this in a warm and loving

manner. They often, "try to catch their children being good" and reinforcing the good behavior,

rather than focusing on the bad.

For example, a child who leaves her toys on a staircase may be told not to do this because,

"Someone could trip on them and get hurt and the toy might be damaged." As children mature,

parents involve children in making rules and doing chores: "Who will mop the kitchen floor, and

who will carry out the trash?"

Parents who have a democratic style give choices based on a child's ability. For a toddler,

the choice may be "red shirt or striped shirt?" For an older child, the choice might be "apple,

orange or banana?" Parents guide children's behavior by teaching, not punishing (Ianneli, 2004).

Martin (1999) stated that children and adolescents whose parents are democratic rate

themselves and are rated by objective measures as more socially and instrumentally competent

than those whose parents are non-authoritative

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CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the research methodology that was used by the researcher in

determining the parenting styles and practices of adolescent mothers of Bil-loca Batac Ilocos

Norte.

It presents the research design, the data gathering instrument, the data gathering

procedure and the tools for data analysis.

Research Design

This research work made use of descriptive-correlational method. This method has no

control over the independent variable. That is, there is no experimental manipulation or random

assignment to groups. The aim of descriptive method is to describe the relationship among

variable rather than cause and effect relationship (Treecee & Treecee,1997).

This study attempted to determine the relationship between the sociodemographic factors

of the adolescent mothers and their parenting styles and practices in Bil-loca Batac Ilocos Norte.

Research Locale

The study was conducted in Bil-loca Batac Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte.
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Instrumentation

The primary instrument that was used in gathering the data is the questionnaire. It was

used to determine the profile of the respondents and their parenting styles in terms of specific

parenting practices employed to the various developmental aspects. The questionnaire consisted

of 2 major parts; the first part is on the personal profile of the respondents while the second part

is on the parenting styles and practices of the adolescent mothers as to behavioral development,

emotional development, physical development and social development as well as the extent of

implementation of these parenting styles in terms of extent of practice.

The questions and choices formulated were lifted from related literature of the study. The

accuracy of the questionnaire was checked by a statistician before it was administered.

Data Gathering Procedure

Before the questionnaire were administered, the researchers sought permission from the

school authorities and then to barangay officials. In the administration of the questionnaire, the

respondents were informed of the purpose of the study clearly. It was distributed and was

retrieved after 1-2 days. Anonymity and confidentiality were assured among the respondents.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The respondent’s socio-demographic profile was tabulated using frequency and

percentage.

a. Percentage
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f
100⋅
Relative Frequency (%) = n

Where: f = frequency
n = the total number of respondents

b. Weighted Mean

Weighted mean (WM) was used in determining the overall average of responses of the

respondents of the study.

WM=
∑ fw
n

Where: ∑fw = sum of the product of the frequency and the unit
weight
n = total number of respondents

Ranking was utilized in determining the parenting styles of the adolescent mothers.

The weighted mean for each parenting style defines the extent of practice of the

adolescent mothers as to the implementation of the parenting style.

c. Pearson’s r (Pearson product-moment-correlation coefficient)

This statistical tool was used to analyze the magnitude and direction of the relationship

between the socio-demographic profile of the respondents and to their parenting styles and

practices.

Where n: is the number of respondents

X: is the independent variable
Y: is the dependent variable
r: is the coefficent of correlation
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Computer softwares like MS Excel and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social

Sciences) were also utilized to facilitate computations.