HW8: Chapter Three (Draft)

CHAPTER THREE 

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

SUMMARY

This paper attempted to determine the effects brought by diversification of family structures on Filipino children.

The research design used in this study is the descriptive research method wherein data from online articles and surveys were used to answer the research question posed. The research findings are the following:

1. Children living in single-parent households, in general, appear to be worse compared to those children living in two-parent households. 
2. When there is only one parent present, the family is often less financially well-off and this is usually the main root for many family problems. It has been found that most of the differences in family relationships between single-parent and non-disrupted two-parent family including parental conflicts were accounted for by socio-economic status. 
3. Family processes such as parent-child interaction and parenting style and values which have more of a role in affecting children’s well-being in single-parent families than socioeconomic disadvantage. 
4. There is no scientific evidence that parenting effectiveness is related to parental sexual orientation which means that LGBT parents are just similar to those heterosexual parents in providing supportive and healthy environments for their children. The APA also stated that there is not a single study that has found children growing in LGBT-parented families to be disadvantageous in any significant respect relative to children being raised by their heterosexual parents. 
5. The biological mothers in stepfamilies have been found to supervise their children less than those in original families, and tend to be more negative. 
6. Compared to children living in two-parent families, children in single-parent and stepparent families have greater substance use and risk-taking behavior, such as smoking, drinking, and drug use. 

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions are drawn:

1. The family structure in the Philippines has never been so diverse. However, no matter what the structure of the family, it is still the basic unit of our society. The care and support family members offer to one another is what important in the educational process of students in the family. 
2. Single parent families will continue to exist in our society. However, being a member of such families does not always mean or result to unhappy homes because if armed with the right tools and knowledge then such families can succeed. 
3. The qualities of family relationships are more closely linked with child outcomes than is parental sexual orientation. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

After drawing the conclusions of the study, the research hereby make the following suggestions/recommendations:

1. In raising a child, regardless of family structure, parents should be able to support and provide their children needs, have frequent communication with them, monitor/supervise their actions and be a right model for their children. It is also important to consider their children’s feelings or consent with them before making actions such as transition from two-parent into single-parent families that would later on give adverse impacts on their children. But if such action would seem to be better for the children as well as the parents, then do it. 
2. Scholars should design a research about Filipino children living in grandparent-led families, foster and group home families, cohabiting families and extended families and their respective effects on children’s well-being.

REFERENCES:

Cohen, S., Crawford, K., Guillari, S., Michailidou, M., Mouriki, A., Spyrou, S. et al. (2007).
Family diversity: A guide for teachers. Cyprus, Nicosia: Cyprus College.

Kalafut, M. (2005). Marriage history around the world. Retrieved October 23, 2012 from
http://molly.kalafut.org/marriage/marriage-types.html

Berryman, K., Hollitt, S., Power, R. (n.d.). Family types and theories. Socialisation within the
family. Retrieved November 14, 2012 from http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/DLiT/

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14M Filipinos are single parents. UCAN Philippines. Retrieved December 09, 2012 from
http://philippines.ucanews.com/2012/06/11/14m-filipinos-are-single-parents/

“Happy Even After” forum for solo parents with Risa Hontiveros on May 22 at Powerbooks.
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parenting-in-the-philippines/

Ketteringham, K. (July 06, 2007). Single parent households – how does it affect
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Problems with blended families and Children. Discipline and Children.
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