“TATAY NA SI TOTOY”: Lived Experiences of Teenage Fatherhood

Abstract

Teenage parenthood is a serious problem in the Philippines. POPCOM reported that there is an alarming increase of teenage pregnancy and the age range gets lower. However, there is a rarity of studies on teenage fathers relative to research on teen mothers. Phenomenological approach was used in the study. Hence, this research aimed to explore and describe the experiences of teenage fathers. Specifically, it sought to describe the lived experiences of teenage fatherhood and determine the challenges encountered by teenage father in all aspects of fatherhood. The study utilized a purposive selection of the seven participants (n=7). The participants underwent a one-on-one in-depth interview. Transcription, coding, and thematic analysis were employed to arrive at the insightful narration of their lived experiences as teenage fathers. Based on the data gathered, different emotions change on behavior and lifestyle, challenging and stressful but rewarding, commitment and plan for the future, family support as coping, and regrets and disappointments were the themes that emerged. The results provide that educators, guidance advocates and guidance counselors develop an intervention program that further understand in helping students handle strong emotions, creation of school policy in helping teenage fathers who face in the difficult situation to give them the opportunity to finish their study despite of their mishap, improving access to adolescent and youth-friendly services and intensification of sex education by integrating it to the curriculum and strengthening parental skills for adolescents and youth. Parents and families play an important role as health educators and are an important influence on young people’s attitudes and behaviors, as well as on their overall health and well-being.