Elderlies in the Philippines Essay

When people grow old, they either fuddle the option of creation assistanced for by family or creation cargond for by the homes. In make that choice, at that place waits to be a cultural pattern or tradition that is prevalent. In most Western countries, where the values of youth, self-reliance and individualism be held in high regard, the latter is chosen most of the time. In Asian countries provided, wish well that of China where the c at oncept of filial piety means showing obedience, obligingness and obeisance to your elders are honoured, victorious in the elderly is a prevalent usage. The signifi flockt number of the elderly in the Philippines population is non ignorable. In the Philippines, 6.8% of the 92.1 million household in 2010, make up the ranking(prenominal) citizen sector. Among these, females (55.8%) outnumber the males (44.2%). The senesceing index of the country was computed to be at 20.3% in 2010.This means, that for both five children under 15 ye ars old, there is 1 psyche aged 60 years and over. except to add to add to this, these elderlies once contri simplyed to the governments institutions and their contributions should non be over reflecti unmatchabled even though they come out to be well past their primes. They think, wisdom comes with age. Perhaps then, this paper, that serves to poll the perceptions and receptions of the elderly, will contribute, not only to what right aways youth and the side by side(p) generation could give vertebral column to the elderly but how the community and the country, could age with the elderly, both in years and in wisdom.The dealants and interviewees sport varied backgrounds from Quezon city, to San Juan City and Makati City nigh every(prenominal) have children, most are gloss over married and some of them still live with their children and grandchildren.LIVING ARRANGEMENTS The Female valor or so of the answerings preferred to live with their daughters who are not marr ied. If the latter is not attainled, they still prefer to live with their daughters over their sons. The respondents did not like being taken guardd of by those that are married already because of a) the inlaws b) the children and b) the husband.On an FGD, a male discussant said, Ngayon nga ang hirap nung may asawa kasi kapag kapwa babae hyan, mahirap magkasundo. On an FGD, a female discussant said, Nawala na ang atensyon sa magulang at sa anak na lahat. On an interview, a female interviewee said, Mag-iiba talaga may asawa. Susundin niya ung asawa niya.Despite the reasons they gave however, the underlie tradition brought about by the masculine dominated post-colonial Asian Catholic values puts an put upation and/or pressure on the female children as most of the respondents, when asked, prefer to live with their daughters going with the answer,kasi babae eh. The fact that no advertise explanations were offered by some suggests that it is understood what being a woman entails. an some other(prenominal) discussant said eh mga anak ko kasi mga babae kaya spoiled din ako sa mga pasalubong at alaga nila, implying that girls are munificent and caring. Not only is it devoted in this case, but pass judgment as well, because the respondents chose their female over their male children.Birth order Like the energise difference in the perceptions of the elderly when it comes to the living arrangements they prefer, the birth order has a relevant count in the Filipino household. The eldest is looked up to to fulfil the cumulative responsibilities of the children, although it does not take precedence in choosing the female as the caregiver of the parents. The eldest might be a man and it is judge of him to marry whenever its the right time. Although the eldest is usually the bearer of the responsibilities with regards to family woes, he is expected to look at the family in a macrocosm (from his suffer family natural out of marriage, to the family of his siblings, a nd to the family he was born out of), thus making way for the woman in the family to focus on the microcosm picture of taking care of the elderly. Birth order is of relevance because they have the power to trance one of the tidingss of the constantly persist in the family when an elderly is tortuous. MoneyA few respondents said that inheritance is a hard topic to discuss because the children drag in the birth order when the discussion is opened. Mahirap pag-usapan agn mana. Ako ang eldest, dapat sa akin and ganito, ganyan. Dapat pag-usapan na. Mahalaga ang pinag-uusapan ang mana, paratrooper hindi na magkagulo. Although a few wish to evade the discussion that may break up the family, others pointed out that the earlier it gets talked about the lesser the trouble it would cause. Thus, the perception between the birth order and the money involved in the inheritance is of question. However, only one respondent answered straight as an arrow when asked the question. Siguro kung meron man doon yun mapupunta sa makakatulong pa sa akin. Taga-payo/NanghihimasokWhereas they passively recognize that they should take an mobile role in the inheritance and in their living preferences, when asked about their other roles inside within the four walls, the elderlies answered that they take a passive location sockingly. They usually do minimal household chores for the family. Taking care of the apos similarly came with the list peculiarly when both the parents are working. The role of taking care of the grandchildren seems to be a practice that is accepted by the community. The help however extends still when they offer advice to the family although most of the respondents say that their takes on the matter only serve as guides. Mga important decisions, ayokong makialam. Important decisions to be made are not sometimes consulted and/or offered but most of the respondents have indicated that their children should know what they are doing and that they are only there to guide but not to commit what grandparents are usually accused of nanghihimasok or overstepping on family matters.Pamilyang Pilipino allay on the topic of how and where one lives, the topic of Hones for the Aged were brought to the floor. one and only(a) unmediated account that could best collate the answers of others are worded, Ang maganda lang dyan eh makakasama ka ng mga taong nakaka-initindi sa inyo dahil pare-pareho kayong oldies, pero ayoko atang matrap sa loob ng institusyon maski gaano kaganda. all(prenominal) the respondents who were asked about their perceptions of the Home for the Aged had negatives views and did not wish to be in a Home. A common response was the respondents comparison of the Homes here with the Homes in the West from the price of going into a home, the facilities, the care received, the government support. about were actually tolerable to the idea of a Home provided that the Home is in the US. However, the concept of Pamilyang Pilipino is still ver y oftentimes there as they experience that they should stick together with their families. Children taking care of their parents seemed to be a given as well as one respondent answered. SOP dapat yun. other pointed out that children must be taught by their schools of the responsibility of children to take care of their elders, implying that sending them to a Home does not constitute what care is.beyond the FOUR WALLS Li mantrap Outside the confines of a house, the topic of work has been discussed with the respondents. nearly all of the respondents said that their work now is mostly for them to do something. take form now is treated as a libangan na lamang because they have pension, the children are no longer going to school and most of them are already working too. Work keeps them busy. Eh kasi pag tumatambay lang ako para akong nagkakasakit,, this thought on being jobless has been voiced out by a lot of the respondents. Some respondents, especially those who are not entitled to their pension and take ont have children, do intend to still work while they still can because they do feel that they need to save. The thought of work being skillful a necessity and not a hobby prevails.All of them however, still say that they love their job and they try to still be good at it.Ang naapektuhan lang sa akin ay ang bilis sa pagtatrabaho, lalo na kapag may rayuma. Kung dati nagagawa ko ang task ng isang oras nagagawa ko ngayon ng tatlong oras, yung dedication sa trabaho, walang pinagbago.Organizations Besides from work, they have social groups that they participate in. Organizations seem to be hot even with the elderly. Dati kasi wala namang ganito. Dati ung lola ko sa simbahan lang un. Ung ngayon naman, nasa brgy kami, may ganito kami, nasa qc hall kami. Kaya dumadami ung senior na nagpparticipate. Associations seem to make the elderlys time more than fruitful. Being church group leaders and active participants make them look forward to something. Organizations offer belongingness when it cant be found at home and/or in the workplace.The PRACTICES of RESPECT Para nang ang trato ng mga kabataan ay parang halos kasing edad nila ang matatanda. The distance between the elderlies and the todays generation seem to be closer. And whereas roughly all consider this to have a negative effect, some actually disagree. In ActionIf the presence of many organizations seems to be non-traditional with respect to the elderlies, the practices of respect are expected and are held in high regard as well. The respondents responses for respect come in two forms in words and actions. As actions speak louder than words, most of the elderly said that the practices that they did for their grandparents, ceased to exist now. Pagmamano, a clear-cut Filipino trait when respecting the elderly is not practiced as much anymore. So is offering a seat during a bus loosen and helping them to cross the street. With respect, its not what you do that counts but what you dont as well. The presences of vices or engaging in bisyos are equal to disrespecting your elders.In Words The long standing po and opo still seem to be in effect as no respondent brought it up. But again, sometimes, its not what you say, but what you dont that could please the elders. Whereas, in some cultures, explaining yourself and whatever misconduct or shortcoming is the accepted practice to show that you respect someone who is talking to you, in the Philippines, talking back is one of the most disrespectful things you could commit. A discussant touch ond respect as, Un bang pag nagagalit ako, hndi sila sumasagot sa akin. However, not all of the respondents agreed to this. A respondent pointed out that todays generation are not only mas western but are more vocal. Ngayon kasi nagkakaroon kasi ng duologue ang mga may edad at saka mga bata. Sinasabi nila kung ano ang mali. Hindu naman lahat ng magulang tama. The dialogue between the elderly and the youth is seen as a way of adjus ting to each others needs. Almost all of the respondent however prefer what was practiced then, some saying, Dati smin, isang tingin, tiklop ka na.Kusang Loob/Utang na Loob/Asa Respect however, encompasses not only the tangible practices. It moves in the bigger picture or dialog between the elderly and the children. When asked about the support that their children can give to them, almost all answered that they do not want to keep their hopes up. The concept of asa seems to be greatly tied to the concept of asking help. Filipinos, in general do not want to take no for an answer. This Ready for mortification mentality mentioned in Lacson, 2001, persists even in the elderlies as they would rather not ask help because, as one respondent said, Masakit umasa. Although almost all of the respondents answered that they are not expecting help, the concept of kusang loob is present. I did my best to provide at nagkukusang-loob naman silang tumulong sa akin ngayon. Hindi ako lumalapit. Ang na ngyayari, sila mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan. The elderly do not expect help. They expect their children to understand that help should not be asked but it is expected to be offered.Utang na Loob Dapat tumanaw ka ng utang na loob. Hindi ka tao kung hindi dahil sa kanila. Most of the respondents said that it is only right to give back to people who have spent on you. Because of their Ready for Disappointment, almost all did not explicitly say that it is their children who need to give back to them. They mainly pointed out the sizeableness of giving back.The three concepts are tied together. The elderly do not want to ask for help and get their hopes up in the hero-worship of being hurt or disappointed. But because they feel that theyve raised their children in a befitting manner, they should look back and tumanaw ng utang na loob by offering help that they wont ask but they some ways expect to a certain point.The RISE of TECHNOLOGY The elderly, although a stickler for the ways of sh owing respect, try to adapt themselves to the current generation and its technology and one respondent even attributed a practive of respect through the means of technology. When asked to define respect, she said, Kinakamusta ako sa text. Kahit papano gusto ko updated ako sa mga pinag-uusapan ng mga bata, sa pinapanuod at ginagawa nila. Mabagal man ako makaintindi niyang ipad-ipad ng mga batang yan pero ngayon atleast natuto na akong mag email at magchat sa facebook. This answer should be looked at a bigger picture however because unlike the other respondents, this respondent came from one of a city with a thriving business. And with that, the respondent is more encircled by people who aggressively take part in the quick and changing world.The enthusiasm of the respondent was echoed by most of the respondents. Some practices of respect which could not be performed by the children were unknowingly blaming technology or the children who were born into a generation that is very techno logy-dependent. Dati kasi pag dating ni amang may dala silang slippers (a Philippine tradition where the children brings the father the slippers on the premise that he needs to free after a long days work), eh ngayon tutok na sa TV. Malakas kasi ung impluensya ng napapnuod. Imbis na making sa lola. Kasi may gngawa, kasi nagkkomputer. Nagsasalita ka ng salita mo, un pala may nakasaksak na earphones dito. One of the respondents also noticed the reaction of the children towards technology when the elderly tries to involve themselves with the onhand technology. Tapos pansin ko lang siguro na maikli ang pasensiya ng mga bata..lalo na pagtechnology ang tinatanong mo.