CHAPTER III

STUDY ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH

As this study focuses on the experiences of out-of-school youths, the researchers took

a specific approach about knowing the emotional outlook and satisfaction of the youth or

have gained an insight of their current situation living with the absence of formal education.

This answered the questions on how does being an out-of-school individual affect everyday

living. Because out-of-school youths have reasons for dropping out of school such as

pregnancy, boredom, academic struggles, lack of parental support and money (Tucker, 2017),

which have been further studied to know possible reasons. The researchers have also

analyzed the opinions and causes pertaining to out-of-school youth. Because of their

population in our country, they reflect the number of youth with the possibility of being

unemployed. The main goal of this research is to provide a better outlook of the lives of out-

of-school youths. This chapter is divided into subsections addressing the chosen research

design, data collection techniques, data instrumentation, and data analysis.

The research design of this study is Phenomenological method because it is the most

suitable method for studying the effects and other observations of out-of-school youth.

Phenomenological research focuses on the experiences of a specific group or individual for

the study, which is directed towards things through concepts, which means that

phenomenology makes up the content and meaning of an experience (Husserl, 1913). This

method is also strong with its advantage in relevance to policy decisions when statistics are

exaggerated in large samples, gathering data, which is seen as natural rather than artificial,

and it can look at change processes over time. Furthermore, the study focused more on the

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experiences or current effects of the youth that will be collected and analyzed later on.

Analysis is also necessarily messy, as data does not tend to fall into neat categories and there

can be many ways of linking between different parts of discussions or observations (Lester,

1999) which is also needed because there are multiple causes of dropping out of school that

have been analyzed.

The main data collection technique of this study is the on-site interview, in which the

researchers went to the site, specifically in Ermita, Intramuros and Binondo that are places

which are convenient to the researchers. Specific places included the participant’s residence,

current location or sites in a normal level intimacy conversation or casual conversation.

Interviews have been conducted with the use of an interview guide which helped the

researchers during the interview by referring to the interview questions prepared.

Participants of the study are out of school youth ages 16-24 with more than two years

but not less than of not having a formal education. Out of school youth also have the

potential to increase the economic growth of the country evident on the accomplishments

from the programs of organizations in helping out of school youth.

The researchers conducted the interview with 11 participants within the said locations

and with the assistance of barangay officials. The participants of the study have been given a

letter pertaining about what is the flow of the study, what questions they will need to answer,

and what time they are available to be interviewed. There is an attached informed consent

that is completed first before participating in the study. Furthermore, participants’ names that

are interviewed is replaced with alphabet R with ascending numbers (R1 – R15) and their

private files were secured in a locker box that is located at the researcher’s house for securing

2
the participants’ identity. Participants of the study were also given the chance to decline or

withdraw from the study. The researchers have assigned their positions of interviewer,

recorder, data collector, and for transcription to ensure data gathering precision. The

participants were free in answering the questions comfortably to be more natural than

artificial.

In this research, the researchers used a semi-structured interview for the

instrumentation, a predetermined set of open-ended questions, with more in depth questions

by the flow the conversation from the interviewer and interviewee/s (DiCicco-Bloom &

Crabtree, 2006). Furthermore, it is mostly used type of interview in conducting a qualitative

research. According to DiCicco-Bloom and Crabtree (as cited in Atkinson, 1998), it is

acknowledged that using semi-structured interview is a powerful method for understanding

another’s life story.

This study adopted the purposive sampling, a type of sampling in which, ‘‘particular

settings, persons, or events are deliberately selected for the important information they can

provide that cannot be gotten as well from other choices’’ Teddlie and Yu (as cited in,

Maxwell, 1997, p. 87). The grounds for choosing this approach was that the researchers

seeked the knowledge for the reasons on being an out of school youth, which they shared

from answering through their experience.

During the data collection and the interview preparation, the researchers prepared the

interview guide and the data gathering instruments to be used. The researchers then went on

the sites of interview to distribute the letters for the barangays to have their consent. They

went on to Ermita, Intramuros, and Binondo and started distributing the letters for the

3
participants’ consent for the interview. A three (3) day on-site interview, starting from Ermita

was conducted by going to the participants’ location or residence. Using the interview guide

and a semi-structured interview approach, the researchers went ahead and interviewed the

participants in a normal or casual intimacy conversation telling their experiences and

opinions on their situation as an out-of-school youth. The first day was scheduled for Ermita,

the second day was scheduled for Intramuros, and the last was scheduled to Binondo, using

the same method for the interview and data gathering.

After gathering the data using the voice record of the interviews, transcriptions and

coding were made for the creation of chapter four (4) and data analyzation.

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 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

There are eleven (11) all in all respondents in this study that the researchers have

interviewed. Each location that have been mentioned has various respondents which are 16-

24 years old out-of-school youths.

I. Demographics

The list of tables will show the demographics of the respondents from their age, to the

status of their parents, occupations of their parents, siblings of respondents that are currently

studying and the status of employment of the respondents.

Table 1. Ages of Respondents

Age F %

16-18 1 10

19-21 1 10

22-24 9 80

Total 11 100

Majority of the respondents that had been interviewed are from the ages of 22 - 24

(9), followed by the same amount (1) for the ages of 16 - 18 and 19 - 21. This can be

analyzed that the older an individual is, the more chances of being an out-of-school youth an

5
individual can become. Ages 19-24 can have their priorities focused on earning an income

whether they are for their family or their own daily needs. They can also be concerned about

their age that they can be “too old” for their missed school years and lose hope on further

studying. Their age can also be an age for having their own family which can be a reason to

raise their child and make them study instead. As for the ages 16-18 years old, they are one

of the least who are out-of-school youth because they still have the opportunity to study even

if they missed a year of school. They can be also considered as the age of self-discovery

where school does its purpose.

Table 2. Status of Parent/s

Status F %

Alive 10 90

Deceased 1 10

Total 11 100

According to the table, 1 out of 11 respondents have both his parents deceased while

the rest have their parents alive. The single respondent who has deceased parents affected

him being unable to go back to school; losing financial and parent support. The respondent’s

parents were still alive working as farmers during the years of his studies, but financial

problem was the reason for being an out-of-school youth. The death of his parents was only a

factor on being an out-of-school youth in terms of him being unable to go back and pursue

studying. Even though, most of the respondents’ parents are still alive they are still an out-of-

school youth which can mean that their parents’ occupations are one of the factors on why

they are unable to study.

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Table 3. Occupation of Parent/s

Occupation of parent/s F % Sample Response

Construction worker 1 6.25 “Tatay ko lang. Construction” (R1) –

(Construction worker)

Antique vendors 1 6.25 “ Opo. Gumagawa ng mga antique” (R2) –

(Antique vendor)

Farmers 2 12.5 “ Farmer po.” (R3) – (Farmers)

Canteen vendors 2 12.5 “ Yung nanay ko po sa canteen lang.” (R4)

– (Canteen vendor)

Laborer 1 6.25 “ Yung tatay ko po laborer” (R4) –

(Unspecified laborer)

Tricycle driver 1 6.25 “ Ano lang, tatay ko tricycle driver” (R6) –

(Tricycle driver)

Sari-sari store owner 1 6.25 “ Nanay ko, may tindahan kaming maliit sa
bahay.” (R6) – (Sari-sari store owner)

Unknown 3 18.75 “ Hindi ko ho alam eh.” (R8) – (Unknown)

Business workers 1 6.25 “ Sa negosyo sila.” (R9) – (Business

workers)

NAIA employee 1 6.25 “ Yung tatay ko sa NAIA.” (R10) – (NAIA

employee)

Tailor 1 6.25 “ Tapos yung nanay ko mananahi.” (R10) –

(Tailor)

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 Laundress 1 6.25 “ Nanay ko labandera.” (R11) –
(Laundress)

Total 16 100

Majority of the occupations of their parents are both Farmers (2) and Canteen vendors

(2), followed by the rest; having the same amount (1) which are Construction worker,

Antique vendors, Laborer, Tricycle driver, Sari-sari store owner, Business workers, NAIA

employee, Tailor, and Laundress. Although their parents have the job to sustain their family,

the respondents still became an out-of-school youth due to different circumstances. For

example, before R10 could become an out-of-school youth, all of them were studying, but

since his father had a stroke, most of them were not able to finish school. It is also evident

that most of the occupation of their parents are low income occupations which is also the

reason for the number of out-of-school youths who are experiencing or have experienced

financial problems forcing them to drop out of school. Three (3) out of 16 have their parents

with unknown occupations due to them being unable to answer the other parent’s occupation

except for the single respondent who answered that he does not know what his parents’

occupation (R8). It can be interpreted that he and his parents have an unimaginable distance

with each other which can be a factor for being an out-of-school youth.

Table 4. Respondents’ Siblings that are Currently Studying

Respondents
with currently
studying F %
siblings

8
 Yes 8 70

No 3 30

Total 11 100

The table show that 8 out of 11 have siblings that are currently studying, followed by

the result that 3 out of 11 respondents have siblings that are in the same situation of being an

out-of-school youth. This show that majority of the respondents have siblings that are able to

study can be implicated that they are sacrificing their opportunity to further study in place of

their siblings. A financial problem occurred during their years of studying or is still currently

having problems financially that their parents could not afford another child to have enrolled,

they prefer to pursue employment or they have a low motivation to pursue studying which

can also be referred or reflected to the causes of being an out-of-school youth.

Table 5. Employment status of Out-of-school youths

Status F %
of Employment

Employed 5 45.45

Unemployed 2 18.18

Self-employed 4 36.36

Total: 11 100

Status of employment for the out of school youth showed that 5 out of 11

respondents are currently employed, followed by self-employed (4), and unemployed (2).

This table show that being an out-of-school youth does not make a person unemployable,

9
however, the job that the out-of-school youths have are not as professional as an individual

who was able to attain higher education can have. Self-employment may also be an option

for receiving an income for out-of-school youths. This can also be interpreted that out-of-

school youths are more willing to be employed for income than to stay unemployed.

II. Results from the Interview

The list of tables tackle the main objectives of the study in understanding the out-of-

school youths. This section is comprised with three tables. First, is the emotional states

toward losing the opportunity to study which is divided by four themes: Regret,

Hopelessness, Sadness and Indifferent/Neutrality. Second, the table that represents the

satisfaction of out of school youth about their current lifestyle is divided into three themes:

Satisfied of current lifestyle due to earnings/needs/family, Not totally satisfied and Fine with

their current lifestyle. Last and the third one is the different causes of being an out-of-school

youth is divided into two factors: internal and external. The external factors are divided into

two categories: social and cultural

Table 1. Emotional States towards Losing the Opportunity to Study

State Theme F % Sample Responses

10
Emotional Regret 5 30 “Malaki kasi yung pangarap
mo yung nakasalalay diyan
eh kaya malaking sisi dahil
yung pangarap mo hindi mo
na matutupad.” (R6) –
(Regret)

“Parang nagsisisi ganun’

pero hindi pa rin mawawalan
ng pag-asa.
Una sa lahat sa mga trabaho
ganun’. Mahirap magtrabaho
kapag hindi ka nakapagtapos
ng pag-aaral.” (R9)- (Regret)

“Nagsisi tapos yung unang-

una, yung baon na binibigay
sa akin ng magulang ko hindi
ko na pinahalagahan mga
ganun’.” (R7) – (Regret)

Hopelessness 1 10 “Parang nawalan na ng pag-

asang makamit yung
pangarap.” (R4) –
(Hopelessness)

11
 Sadness 2 20 “Malungkot po kasi syempre,
yung pangarap mo hindi mo
na matutupad” (R3)-
(Sadness)

“Bali sa akin, nakakalungkot

din dahil hindi ako nakapag
tapos. Pero sabi ko sa
magulang ko, kung may
pagkakataon akong mag-aral
ulit, mag-aaral ako.” (R10)-
(Sadness)

Indifferent/Neutrality 3 30 “Hindi ko po alam eh.” (R8)-

(Indifferent)

“Wala naman. Wala naman

kaming magawa eh. Okay
nalang basta yung iba
makapag aral.” (R1) –
(Neutrality)

Total 11 100

As shown by the data, majority of the respondents expressed their regrets upon

leaving school. Because of various reasons, they were not able to pursue their dreams and

goals thus leaving them with a job they did not plan. Some of them also stated that because

of dropping out of school, they were not able to get a more favourable job as stated by R9

“Parang nagsisisi ganun’ pero hindi pa rin mawawalan ng pag-asa. Una sa lahat sa mga

trabaho ganun’. Mahirap magtrabaho kapag hindi ka nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral.”.

12
 Among 11 respondents, 3 of the respondents said that they were fine in dropping out

of school. There were also respondents who gave way to their siblings and brothers/sisters to

let them study instead. “Wala naman. Wala naman kaming magawa eh. Okay nalang basta

yung iba makapag aral.” (R1) They may also have felt like they had no choice but to work

early in order to provide for their siblings.

Seeing that all respondents were not pleased on dropping out early, some of them

wanted to go back to school and finish studying as a solution to their current situations.

“Siyempre mas maganda kung nakapag tapos ka ng pag-aaral tsaka medyo magaling kang

dumiskarte.” (R10). This shows that these youths are still willing to back in school and hope

for a better future for their families.

Table 2. Satisfaction of Current Lifestyle

13
 Theme F % Sample Responses

Satisfied of current 7 60 “Okay naman sakin kasi

lifestyle due to anak ko lang naman yung
earnings/needs/family bibigyan ko ng
importansiya kaysa sa
akin eh. Tsaka sa
hanapbuhay ko kumikita
naman ako.”
(R6)- (Satisfied due to
earnings).

“Sa ngayon kasi masaya

na ko kasi pamilyado na
ko.” (R9)- (Satisfied due
to family)

Not totally satisfied 2 20 “Ano na rin, tanggap na

rin kasi eto na yung
buhay” (R3) – (Not
totally satisfied)

“Hindi na… hindi naman

sa masaya parang okay
lang” (R11) – (Not totally
satisfied)

Adequate satisfaction 2 20 “Okay lang naman po

ako.” (R4) – (Adequate
satisfaction)

Total 11 100

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 As shown by the results, most of the out of school youths are contented with their

current situation or accepted it for what it is because of their earnings or because they are

providing for their children. Although there are some that are not content but learned to

accept it like R3 who stated "Ano na rin, tanggap na rin kasi eto na yung buhay”. This might

be due to the hopelessness that they are not capable to make a better change in their lives due

to the missed opportunity.

The data shows that, although the youth are content with their current lifestyle, it is

because they are providing or working for others instead of themselves like stopping from

school so that their siblings can study in their place to find a job and improve the family's

current situation or dropping out in order to work and provide for their children in the case of

those who had an early marriage.

Most of the respondents dropped out and gave up on their dreams so that others can

study and reach their goals. Lack of opportunity is the reason why the youth could not pursue

their dreams nor can they have jobs that they really love. Without a college diploma, it would

also be difficult for them to get a better job.

Table 3. Factors for Being Out of School Youth

Factors Category Theme F % Sample Responses

“Wala lang, hahahahaha.

Internal Psychological Unmotivated 1 10 Tinamad.” (R11) –
( Unmotivated )

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 “Laging may gulo kaya
External nung nagpunta ako dito
Social Environment 1 10 tinamad na ako mag-aral,
nagtinda nalang ako.”
(R2) – ( Enviroment )

“Wala eh. Kulang din kasi

sa pera eh. Yun lang,
Cultural Financial 9 80 makapag-aral lang yung
Problem, mga bata, eh kasi
Early Marriage, syempre. Yung iba may
Early Exposure trabaho na. Mga bunso
to Employment namin nakapag aral high
school at college ngayon.”
(R1) – ( Financial
Problem )

“Ano lang, dahil sa

trabaho.” (R8) – ( Early
Labor )

“Ah hindi na, hindi ko na

inano kasi nakapag asawa
na ko eh. Bali yung pag-
aaral ko hindi ko na
pinagpatuloy dahil nag
guide nalang ako dito.”
(R6) – ( Early Marriage )

“Una sa lahat, kulang sa

allowance. Pangalawa,
malayo ako sa mga
magulang ko. Ang mga
magulang ko sa
Mindanao.” (R9) –
( Financial Problem )

16
 Total 11 100

Majority of the youth dropped out of school due to financial problems, early marriage

and early labor while few others dropped out because of their environment or lack of

motivation to study. Like R11 who said “Wala lang, hahahahaha. Tinamad.” Although there

will always be people who lack motivation, family, community or schools should

improve/find ways to motivate these people to study. Most of the respondents came from low

income families. This played a big part of them ending school since their families can only

afford two or three children to go to school at ease leave them to work early to provide for

their family.

Out of the 11 respondents, 80% were not able to study because of their problems

financially like R1 who stated “Wala eh. Kulang din kasi sa pera eh. Yun lang, makapag-

aral lang yung mga bata, eh kasi syempre. Yung iba may trabaho na. Mga bunso namin

nakapag aral high school at college ngayon.” or R8 who had difficulties with job

opportunities saying “Ano lang, dahil sa trabaho.” The former students were not able to

pursue academics due to the lack of opportunities or low salary from their labor or work

meaning that one of the greatest contributors in out-of-school youths is the economy in our

country and/or the very few number of organizations that supports education for the youth.

The results showed that respondents are mostly regretting their current states as being

an out of school youth yet some are neutral because they accepted the fact that they cannot

change their situation or lacked the concern to this subject. However, their satisfaction of

their current lifestyle, most of them already accepted their situation and are happy because

they already have their own family that they need to take care of and carry their own

17
responsibility. Furthermore, the major reason of why the respondents became an out of

school youth is always because of a financial problem, second is early marriage and

parenthood.

As a conclusion in this study, it is shown that most of the out-of-school youth

respondents are experiencing regret, especially when it comes to losing the opportunity to

follow their dreams and plans for their own future like losing the opportunity to have

favourable jobs. Sadness, hopelessness and indifference is also present in their emotional

outlook along with their own regrets of losing their opportunity to attend formal schooling.

However, most of the respondents are content with their current lifestyle due to the ability of

acquiring their daily needs for everyday living, their family to care about, and their sufficient

income for their necessities. Some show that they want to improve it and others does not

seriously mind their current situation at all, showing indifference.

The causes of being an out of school youth is mainly because of financial problems

due to our country’s economic status such as the rates of unemployment and insufficient

income for a steady education. Early marriage is another cause and early parenthood due to a

lack of sex education information that they or did not receive. Without the capability to finish

school, they are required to pursue early labor for their daily needs. Motivation and

Environment also count as a cause of being an out of school youth.

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 CHAPTER V

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusion:

The researchers therefore conclude that:

1) Based on the collected data, majority of the respondents have expressed their desire to

continue education. But because of some circumstances such as age and financial

issue, it is hard for them to do so. Resulting them to get a job to help their finances

even though they had goals and ambitions before they stopped schooling. Most of the

respondents were tricycle drivers and saleswoman but had dreams of finishing

Criminology, becoming an engineer and others.

2) When it comes to financial problems, most of the respondents would look for a job at

an early age to support themselves and their siblings.

3) Majority of the respondents stopped their studies to give way to their siblings or in

the cases of those who go married and had children, they had to work and dropout of

school to provide for their children.

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 4) Out of the eleven (11) respondents only two (2) were unemployed. Although the other

nine (9) had jobs the income they receive from their work is just enough for their

families daily needs.

5) The out of school youths have expressed their regrets, sadness, and hopelessness for

not being able to finish studying and achieving their goals.

6) Most of the factors resulting to out of school youth are aligned with the General

Deviance Theory which says that sex or early marriage and other family background

issues are most likely the reasons or factors that affect a teenagers performance in

school which leads to OSY.

7) Majority of the respondents are male and few are female because men are more likely

to be exposed in employment and apply as contractors, deliverers, driver and etc. a

male’s physical abilities can greatly help them earn more and provide.

Recommendations:

This study aims to recommend the following:

1) Because the data collection method used was interview, the researchers were not able

to see their daily lives in an in-depth perspective due to constricted time and be able

to interview a more respondents from other places in Manila. It would be more

effective if the quality of living of out-of-school youths were further observed. Not

just through interviews, observation and focus group discussion would let the

respondents communicate with ease. The researchers would also recommend that

future studies should or could be done on the same areas (Intramuros, Ermita,

Binondo) in this research to see if there are improvements of the said places in terms

20
 of out-of-school youths. Monitoring should be done in order to see the developments

in their situation and also seeing their lives as an out-of-school youth.

2) Majority of the respondents were willing to go back to education but unfortunately

beneficiary programs was unable to reach them. Seeing that most of the respondents

said that their main problem in dropping-out of school was financial instability, the

government should take in mind these responses and continue to reach out. Certain

programs like the “Abot-Alam” project and the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino

Program; should used these finding as reference to their programs. This will let them

be ascertain of the youth’s who are willing to study but unable to support themselves.

3) For those with emotional and environmental problems and circumstances, they

receive counseling to help them be motivated to study again. The government must

have psychologists to help educational organizations in encouraging those dropouts

who lack motivation in studies, or going back to school, and to further understand

causes and emotional experiences of these out of school youths.

4) Scholarships and benefits from schools should also be advertised. Majority of the

respondents may not be aware of certain scholarships they can apply for since they

mentioned financial problems as their greatest obstacle in dropping out of school.

5) Sex education is necessary to be taught to the youth since a large percentage of the

out of school youths are in their current situation because of early pregnancy/early

marriage so taking this step would greatly help the improvement of out-of-school

youths in the Philippines.

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