Navigating Uncharted Childhood in the Absence of Parental Anchor
Keywords:
parental anchor, left behind children, childhood without parents, parental absenceAbstract
This is a qualitative study on children growing up in the absence of both parents focusing on their childhood experiences. Given that the study aimed to explore and interpret the personal experiences of children growing up without parental anchors, a phenomenological design will allow to delve deeply into their subjective experiences and the meanings they attach to these experiences. This particularly focused on the children’s relationship with their parents or guardians and peers, their perceived challenges, coping mechanisms, and aspirations in life. This involved 12 orphans and LBC in Misamis Occidental aging 11 to 17 years, all attending basic education. The study employed semi-structured interviews with interview protocol developed by the researchers of this study. The findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of children facing familial adversity, highlighting the pivotal role of extended family members or guardians in providing stability, care, and guidance. While challenges such as emotional struggles and societal comparisons persist, participants demonstrate a remarkable capacity for coping and maintaining hopeful outlooks for the future.
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Donaire, A. M., Ente, R. L., Fuentes, R. P., LaBad, R. B., Lebosada, M. E. N. & Omandam, M. B. (2025). Navigating Uncharted Childhood in the Absence of Parental Anchor. Ennoia Advances in Social Science, Technology and Education, 01(01), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14620882
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Copyright (c) 2025 Arlyn M. Donaire, Remele L. Ente, Roger Paul Fuentes, Ryann B. LaBad, Maria Elizabeth N. Lebosada, Maryjane B. Omandam (Author)
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