Ma, Buntis Ako: A case study on unwed female adolescents revelation of their pregnancy to their parents or parental figure
MA, BUNTIS AKO: A CASE STUDY ON UNWED FEMALE ADOLESCENTS' REVELATION OF THEIR PREGNANCY TO THEIR PARENTS OR PARENTAL FIGURE
Abstract
This study examines how conflict resolution strategies in parent-child communication achieve equilibrium in family satisfaction after the revelation of the unexpected adolescent pregnancy. By surfacing the disruption of family satisfaction equilibrium caused by the revelation of the unexpected pregnancy resolved through parent-child communication, the study probes on the parenting styles (pluralistic, consensual, protective and laissez-faire) in different family structures (tradition and emerging family household) and how these affect family communication. The researchers also looked into how the unexpected pregnancy was revealed, who initiated the revelation, what were the factors or circumstance that led to the revelation, and the general content of the conversation that took place during the revelation of the unexpected pregnancy. Outcomes of the revelation were also examined on how the family adapted conflict resolution strategies to achieve equilibrium in family satisfaction. The study employed three theories: Fitzpatrick & Koerner’s (1997) Family Communication Patterns Theory, Baxter & Montgomery’s (n.d.) Dialectical Theory of Family Communication, and Family Systems Theory. These theories aided the researchers in determining the communication patterns and parenting styles manifested, conflict resolution styles employed to achieve equilibrium in family satisfaction, and changes in roles that may prevent the family to not change as a system and return to a state of equilibrium. A purposive and snowball sampling was used to determine the informants of the study. These include female adolescent (15-22 years old) and a parent (or parental figure) she revealed the pregnancy out of wedlock to. Case study approach was employed through focus interviews to identify the factors, circumstances, motivations, approached and strategies of the family in dealing with the unexpected pregnancy. It was found that solution-oriented conflict resolution strategies (integrating and compromise) were employed mostly by informants since there is an established communication between the parent and the female adolescent. The study also found that equilibrium in different family structure and parenting styles are also different. Hence, the study proposes a model in achieving equilibrium in family satisfaction for families with different communication pattern, family structure and parenting style.
Carreon, J.C. & Sangalang, V.B. (2013). Ma, Buntis Ako: A case study on unwed female adolescents' revelation of their pregnancy to their parents or parental figure. Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines-Diliman. College of Mass Communication
Keywords: