“Lahat Po Tayo ay may Katapusan”: The Concepts of Death Among Filipino Children

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring of the concepts of irreversibility, universality, finality, causality of death and Filipino children's other concepts of death. It involved 30 children, ages 7–11. Findings show that the development of concept of death among Filipino children is not a single construct and requires understanding of the different concepts of irreversibility, universality, finality and causality of death. Grasping these concepts requires understanding of non-corporeal continuation, dys-functionality, all-inclusiveness, unpredictability, inevitability, immobility, and insensitivity. Children understand that sickness, tragedy, accidents and personal conflicts are conditions that really do or can bring about the death of a living thing. Filipino children's other concept of death lies in their belief in the divine providence (pagpapasa-Diyos) and old age. The concepts of death among Filipino children is regarded as either concrete or abstract and goes on evolving towards maturity through socialization, personal experiences and children's observation in the environment.