LESSON 4: MAIN

PROBLEMS FACED BY
CHILDREN IN PHILIPPINES
Dr. Merriam S. Silin
Overview
Family life can be a place of refuge and security but for some it is a
source of pain and disappointment. Our families absorb many of the
stresses and strains from the outside world – and the pressures can boil
over. Sometimes a personal problem, particularly in a young person,
can overwhelm a family and there seems to be no clear way forward. At
other times changes within the family leave other members confused
and angry or hurt.
All families face challenges from time to time. Some
common challenges families face in addition to managing
chronic pain include things like moving house, separation or
divorce, parenting issues, pressure at work or school,
unemployment and financial problems, illness or disability of
a family member, death of a family member, drug, alcohol,
gambling addiction, and domestic violence.
A problem or challenge in one area of your life can also
affect other parts. Some problems can drain a lot of your
energy and coping resources. It can make you so tired that
you might not deal effectively with other stressful things that
could be happening like conflicts with friends, exams, or
assessment tasks. Sometimes when we are struggling to
cope with our pain we might also become a bit more
irritable with our family and less able to handle frustrations.
Poverty
In the Philippines, close to 1 out of every three individuals lives below
the poverty line, while the country itself is in full economic expansion.
Although this is encouraging for the future, the present situation
remains bleak for a great many households.

Poor families frequently suffer from hunger or malnutrition from which

follow numerous health problems, particularly among children who are
physically more vulnerable than adults.
Health
The infant mortality rate is particularly high in the Philippines. Furthermore, more than 1 out of
every 5 newborn children exhibits dietary deficiencies from the moment of birth. Childbirth is
risky both for the infant and for the mother.

In fact, the number of mothers who die during childbirth remains considerably high—especially
since many young girls, through lack of both information and contraceptives, face unwanted
pregnancies. Furthermore, access to healthcare remains difficult in the country’s more remote
regions. Of course, it is in these areas that undernourishment and resulting problems are the
most virulent.

Finally, no one takes responsibility for children who suffer from mental health problems. They
remain marginalized and do not receive the appropriate care.
Child Labor
More than 10% of Filipino children are compelled to work so as to support the needs
of their family.

Close to a million Filipino youths work as garbage scavengers in public dumps. The
working conditions are utterly filthy and often have serious effects on the health of
these individuals.

Other children find employment in rural sectors. They work nonstop on sugar, rice or
tea plantations as the case may be. Filipino youths also work in their nation’s fishing
sector which is highly developed.
Right to non discrimination
Children born out of wedlock : They are the object of considerable discrimination in the Philippines. The
law, for example, still refers to them as “illegitimate” children—a term that is largely negative and unjust,
seeing how they did not choose to be born under such conditions. Furthermore, their right to an
inheritance is considerably limited. They clearly do not stand on equal footing with children born to
married parents.

Native People : The children of these minorities are frequently the victims of racist acts, nor does legislation
protect them. Their opinions are hardly ever taken into account, although much progress has been made
concerning the children of nonindigenous peoples throughout the country.

With regard to education, healthcare or even the right to life, indigenous children are routinely treated less
favorably than others.
Young Girls : They too are unable to fully enjoy their rights. Young girls are the object
of notorious discriminatory practices that often continue throughout their entire lives.
Mentalities must undergo a serious amount of change if the idea of equality between
the sexes is ever to become a reality.

Handicapped Children : They are very numerous in the Philippines, owing to

nutrition- and hygiene-related problems. The country has yet to set up a sufficient
number of establishments that can adequately attend to the needs of such children.
Consequently, their access to educational and healthcare services remains severely
limited.
Child Soldiers
The Philippines number among 20 countries in which children are often deployed as
soldiers in armed conflicts. Certain armed groups have recently stated that they will
no longer use children in this capacity; however, the total absence of child soldiers is
far from being verified.

Totally prohibited by the International Convention of Children’s Rights, the use of

child soldiers is an abhorrent practice whose effects on the health and well-being of
children are wholly negative. Such children are caught up in a violent and cruel
environment where they are in constant danger of being killed. Their role models are
brutal and aggressive men whose influence on their development will clearly be far
from positive.
Child Marriage

14% of young women in the Philippines get married

before the age of 18. One prepares them very early
in life for their future role as a wife. However, these
marriages often have grave consequences for the
health of these young girls who do not understand
what such a marriage entails.
Violence against Children
Corporal punishment is frequently practiced in the Philippines, notably
within the family. It is not the object of any explicit legislation. Thus,
many children suffer daily from violence at the hands of their parents
who treat them in a cruel and humiliating manner.

Children are equally the victims of sexual abuse in certain families.

These are serious crimes and all too often they are not condemned,
nor does the justice system adequately protect children from threats
and intimidation on the part of criminals.
Justice for Minors
The Committee of Children’s Rights has expressed profound concern
about justice for minors. With regard to armed conflict, there have
been numerous executions and extrajudicial imprisonments involving
children. The killing of children is a serious violation of the Convention
of Children’s Rights; yet the crimes themselves remain unpunished. The
Philippines thus needs to make a more concerted effort to put a stop to
these practices and to actively see to it that the authors of these
atrocities are held responsible for their acts. As it stands, the pursuit of
justice in relation to such crimes is insufficient and the results are
profoundly deceiving.
In addition, there are hundreds of people who are the victims of forced
disappearances in the Philippines. When they do return (which is very
rare), they suffer from both physical and mental trauma as a result of
their experience.

Children who are in prison are not de facto protected as they ought to
be. Although the country’s legislation forbids inhuman and degrading
treatment, numerous reports leave one with the impression that
children in prison are still being subjected to torture.
Right to an Identity
17% of births are not officially registered in the Philippines. The country
has made some progress on this issue. However, not all children are
able to benefit from these improvements. Indeed, most Muslim and
indigenous children still lack an official identity.

This leads to great difficulties for such individuals because, owing to

their official nonexistence in the eyes of society, they will be unable to
enjoy their rights.