‘You can still have dreams for your child’: Filipino young people’s lived experiences of parenthood

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore Filipino young people’s lived experiences of parenthood. We employed narrative analysis of 27 photo elicitation and semi-structured interviews with 10 Filipino adolescent mothers (aged 15–19) and five young fathers (aged 18–24). We found that young parents developed constructions of ‘good’ mothers and fathers, invoking discourses of responsibility, sacrifice, and ‘intergenerational repair’ as they transitioned into their new ‘adult’ roles. Learning to deal with judgement and criticism was an inescapable part of navigating the realities of parenthood. However, they pushed back against these through discourses of redemption and aligning themselves with their constructions of good parents. Through discourses of ‘making it work’, young parents managed evolving relationships amid challenging circumstances. In looking to the future, they employed discourses of restoration, transformation, and hope, discovering joy and a sense of purpose in fulfilling their adult roles while remaining cognisant of their youth. Programmes and policies aimed at helping young Filipino parents achieve better health and wellbeing outcomes would benefit from considering their circumstances and responding to their specific needs for non-judgmental youth-friendly healthcare, unimpeded access to sexual and reproductive health resources, and supportive home, school, and community environments.