THE RELATION OF SOCIO-CIVIL FAMILY STATUS OF CEBU

DOCTORS’ UNIVERSITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

AND THEIR PERCEPTION TO DIVORCE,

ACADEMIC YEAR 2017-2018

Enriquez, Levie Boy

Oliva, Lloyd Emmanuel

Sandico, Judy Lynn

Tillah, Maria Monica

Tongco, Khatyana Lauren

Ms. Ria Alcantara

Research Instructor

Cebu Doctors’ University

North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu

October 12, 2017

THE RELATION OF SOCIO-CIVIL FAMILY STATUS OF CEBU DOCTORS’

UNIVERSITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR

PERCEPTION TO DIVORCE, ACADEMIC YEAR 2017-2018

______________________________

A Thesis Paper Presented

To the

Senior High School

Cebu Doctors’ University

______________________________

In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Strand of

Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics (STEM)

______________________________

by

Enriquez, Levie Boy

Oliva, Lloyd Emmanuel

Sandico, Judy Lynn

Tillah, Maria Monica

Tongco, Khatyana Lauren

October 12, 2017

 Table of Contents

Page

TITLE PAGE i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v

LIST OF TABLES vi

LIST OF FIGURES vii

ABSTRACT viii

CHAPTER

1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale 1

Theoretical Background 3

Review of Related Literature 9

Conceptual Framework 21

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem 22

Significance of the Study 23

Scope and Limitation 23

 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design 25

Research Environment 25

Research Respondents 25

Research Instruments 26

Research Procedures 26

Preliminaries 26

Gathering of Data 27

Statistical Treatment 28

DEFINITION OF TERMS 30

2 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND

INTERPRETATION OF DATA 31

Profile of the Respondents 31

Perception or Stand of Respondents

on Divorce 35

Degree of Influence of Respondents’

Socio-civil Family Status to Their

Perception to Divorce 37
 Comparison of Perceptions on Divorce

of Respondents Grouped According to

Sex and Socio-civil Family Status 39

3 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS

AND RECOMMENDATIONS 45

Summary of Findings 45

Conclusions 47

Recommendations 47

REFERENCES 49

APPENDICES

A TRANSMITTAL LETTER 52

B CONSENT FORM 53

C RESEARCH INSTRUMENT 54

D TIMETABLE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 55

E DOCUMENTATION 57

CURRICULUM VITAE 58
 Acknowledgement

The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the following

individuals who played essential roles which lead to the fruition of the study.

To Ms. Ria Alcantara, who served as the researchers' mentor,

adviser and evaluator throughout the development of the study.

To Atty. Roel Hortelano, who gave the researchers permission to

conduct their study which involved Grade 12 students from CDU.

To the Grade 12 students of CDU, A.Y. 2017- 2018; who served as

the respondents for the study in order to attain the needed data.

To Ms. Babie Bauyaban who provided advice regarding the

statistical treatment of the study.

To the teachers involved in the study, thank you for the aid given to

the researchers in an event of other interests present whilst collecting data.

To the Almighty Father, who have given several beneficial factors

which can either inspire someone or be an inspiration towards the

completion of the study.

 LIST OF TABLES
Table Page

1.0 Chi-Square Test – Sex and Perception on Divorce 40

2.0 Chi-Square Test – Socio-civil Family Status and

Perception on Divorce 42
 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page

1.0 Conceptual Framework of the Study 21

2.0 Distribution of Respondents According to Sex 31

3.0 Distribution of Respondents According to

Socio-civil Family Status 33

4.0 Distribution of Respondents According to

Perception on Divorce 35

5.0 Degree of Influence of Socio-civil Family Status

To Perception on Divorce 37

6.0 Perception on Divorce Across Sexes 39

7.0 Perception on Divorce Across Socio-civil

Family Statuses 41
 ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the relation of the socio-civil family

status of students to their perception on divorce. The study focused on
Grade 12 Senior High School students of Cebu Doctors University, A.Y.
2017-2018. It’s the researchers’ desire to include students of the ideal
matured age that understands the nature of their family and have a
measurable perception on divorce. This involved the convenience sampling
of the Grade 12 students from all sections available during the Senior High
School Days. The researcher constructed their own questionnaire which
was personally administered to the 151 students. Their socio-civil family
status and their perception on divorce was determined after computing the
Likert Scale scores based on the administered questionnaire.

The study collected data such as Personal Profile (Sex, Socio-civil

Family Status), the respondent’s Perception to Divorce, and also inquired
the Level of Influence that their family status had on their perceptions. The
Perception to Divorce is positively correlated to their Socio-civil Family
Status, and has no significant correlation to their Sex. The study utilized
finding the Percentage and the Chi-Square to treat the data. It was revealed
that out of the 151 total respondents, 28% of them strongly agreed with
divorce; 13% of them disagreed with divorce; 38% of them was neutral; 12%
of them agreed with it; and 9% of them strongly agreed with it. Thus, the
most prevalent perception on divorce of the respondents was neutral while
the least prevalent or common perception on divorce of the respondents
was strongly agree.

The result of this particular study showed that there was a significant
correlation between the socio-civil family status of Cebu Doctors’ University
Grade 12 Senior High School students of academic year 2017-2018 and
their perception to divorce. The respondents whose socio-civil family status
was together, tended to be more neutral on the issue of divorce while the
respondents whose socio-civil family status was separated, tended to agree
more on the said issue or topic. Thus, information dissemination (i.e.
pamphlets and brochures on the topic on divorce) can include the proven
fact that one’s family background can affect their stand on the issue of
divorce and deeper critical analysis should be applied when discussing the
issue to eliminate biases during said discussion.
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

In the Philippines, the number of dysfunctional families, increases

over time (Abalos, 2017). It is seen in the many cases of union dissolution

such as annulment of marriages and unauthorized family separation. As of

now, only the city of Vatican and the Philippines are the only remaining

places in the world that have not tackled the issue of divorce, much less

legalizing it.

Families are considered as the basic unit of society. It is a scientific

fact that it takes the male and the female gametes in order to generate

offspring or in other words, new members of society. Marriage is the binding

contract between two individuals, in which the bound parties are to swear

loyalty to one another until the natural forces of the world takes the either of

the parties. The presence of unhappy married couples brings the ideas of

separation to a positive light, however the values and sanctity placed on

marriage by religion makes it difficult for both lawmakers and citizens to

address the growing issue of the demand for divorce.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “divorce” is defined as

the ending of a marriage by a legal process or the complete separation of

married couples. Divorce has been perceived by Filipinos in a negative light

 2

as it violates several teachings of religions. Divorce pushes victims,

regardless of their age in which they have been exposed to divorce, to see

their families in a negative light; the image believed to stem from unjust

labelling and self- pity (Rosenburg, 2017). The negative light in which

victims perceive their families through range from their families being “bad

families” in general or victims blaming their mothers as the cause for divorce

in the efforts of victims to avoid being affected by the decision alone.

Divorce also bring problems to children due to economic insolvency (Aktar,

2013). Victims are often subjected to unwanted negligence and the lack of

basic needs which they use bad habits to cope with their experiences.

Households who underwent and are undergoing divorce face greater

economic challenges (Yip, 2014). Children who belong to households with

a history of divorce, are prone to negatively influenced behaviorally,

academically and emotionally.

The research will be conducted in Cebu Doctors' University, an

educational institution located in North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City.

Cebu Doctors' University is a multicultural university offering medical-

related programs such as Dentistry, Occupational Therapy and Medical

Technology; to mention only a few. In the year of 2016, the institution

incorporated the Senior High School program as a part of their curriculum.

The researchers chose to have Cebu Doctors' University as their locale is

that the institution is able to provide participants needed for the study;

students who fall within the age range the researchers see fit for their study.
 3

The addressing of marital issues has never been the strong suit of

the Philippine culture, as seen through the different dismissed cases which

address divorce. This inaction can be traced to the religious roots of the

Philippine culture; the majority of Filipinos being Catholics. However, as

time passes, religion has not become a barrier for progress in other

countries. Other countries have already become more open-minded to

different social issues like gender-inequality, the LGBT rights and even

divorce. The Philippines is already late with so many aspects in living and

this being late demands the immediate attention of the Philippine society.

Therefore, whilst keeping in mind the growing demand for the consideration

of divorce due to the steady increase of unhappily married couples, the

researchers find it critical to aid in the addressing of the issue of divorce in

the Philippines of which begins from the opinions of citizens about divorce.

The study aimed to collect data regarding the family statuses of

student respondents, their perception on legalizing divorce and find if there

is a significant relation between the two variables. The study looked to be

beneficial basis for the leaders of the country as to how families, the children

and the future be better protected for a more progressive Philippines.

Theoretical Background

Civil status, or marital status, is any of several distinct options that

describe a person's relationship with a significant

other. Married, single, divorced, and widowed are examples of civil status.
 4

Civil status and marital status are terms used in forms, vital records,

and other documents to ask or indicate whether a person is married or

single. In the simplest contexts, no further distinction is made. A status

of married means that a person was wed in a manner legally recognized by

their jurisdiction. A person's specified civil status might also be married if

they are in a civil union or common-law marriage. The civil status of a

person who is legally separated is married.

Whether a cohabiting couple (such as in a domestic partnership)

have a civil status of "married" depends on the circumstances and the

jurisdiction. In addition to those who have never married, single status

applies to people whose relationship with a significant other is not legally

recognized.

Questions about civil status appear

on questionnaires for quantitative research, such as census forms

and market research instruments. In a person's medical history, civil status

is considered to have both quantitative and qualitative significance.

A government records the civil status of its citizens by means of a civil

registration system. Historically, inquiries into marital status have also

appeared on applications for employment, loans, and credit. Family

status indicates whether a person is the responsible caregiver for a child.

Married (and not separated) This category includes persons whose

opposite- or same-sex spouse is living, unless the couple is separated or a

divorce has been obtained. Also included are persons in civil unions.
 5

Living common law This category includes persons who are living

with a person of the opposite sex or of the same sex as a couple but who

are not legally married to that person. It includes situations where the

members of such a couple are living apart temporarily because of illness,

work or school.

Widowed (not living common law) This category includes persons

who have lost their legally-married spouse through death and who have not

remarried. Those who live with a common-law partner are not included in

this category.

Separated (not living common law) This category includes

persons currently legally married but who are no longer living with their

spouse (for any reason other than illness, work or school) and have not

obtained a divorce. Those who live with a common-law partner are not

included in this category.

Divorced (not living common law) This category includes persons

who have obtained a legal divorce and have not remarried. Those who live

with a common-law partner are not included in this category.

Single (not living common law) This category includes persons

who have never married (including all persons less than 15 years of age).

It also includes persons whose marriage has been legally annulled who

were single before the annulled marriage and who have not remarried.

Those who live with a common-law partner are not included in this category.
 6

Perception (from the Latin perceptio) is the organization,

identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent

and understand the environment. All perception involves signals in

the nervous system, which in turn result from physical or chemical

stimulation of the sense organs. For example, vision involves light striking

the retina of the eye, smell is mediated by odor molecules, and hearing

involves pressure waves. Perception is not the passive receipt of these

signals, but is shaped by learning, memory, expectation, and attention.

Perception can be split into two processes. Firstly, processing

sensory input, which transforms this low-level information to higher-level

information (e.g., extracts shapes for object recognition). Secondly,

processing which is connected with a person's concepts and expectations

(knowledge) and selective mechanisms (attention) that influence

perception. Perception depends on complex functions of the nervous

system, but subjectively seems mostly effortless because this processing

happens outside conscious awareness.

Divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage, is the termination

of a marriage or marital union, the canceling or reorganizing of the legal

duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the bonds of

matrimony between a married couple under the rule of law of the particular

country or state. Divorce laws vary considerably around the world, but in

most countries divorce requires the sanction of a court or other authority in

a legal process, which may involve issues of alimony (spousal

 7

support), child custody, child visitation / access, parenting time, child

support, distribution of property, and division of debt. In most

countries, monogamy is required by law, so divorce allows each former

partner to marry another person; where polygyny is legal but polyandry is

not, divorce allows the woman to marry a new husband.

A divorce is a legal decree that ends a marriage before the death of

either spouse. During a divorce proceeding, a court may resolve issues of

child custody, division of assets, and spousal support or alimony. After a

divorce becomes final, the parties are no longer legally bound to one

another, and are free to remarry or enter into a domestic partnership with

another person.

Grounds for divorce are regulations specifying the circumstances

under which a person will be granted a divorce. Adultery is the most

common grounds for divorce. However, there are countries that view male

adultery differently than female adultery as grounds for divorce.

Before decisions on divorce are considered, one might check into

state laws and country laws for legal divorce or separation as each culture

has stipulations for divorce. Cruel and inhuman treatment constitute as

grounds for divorce. In a proper defense, acceptable differences enable

the defendant to have the ability to arrange grounds for divorce.

Some examples for grounds for divorce are: Sexual harassment,

Adultery, Alcoholism, Disability, Desertion, Imprisonment, and Domestic

 8

violence (Including physical, sexual, or mental abuse of the other spouse

and/or the child/children of the couple.)

The spouse that is responsible for committing these allegations is

required to confirm the correct date and place that the allegations were

committed. The reason for the spouse to confirm the allegations is to show

proof that the allegations have taken place in the same state. The state then

has to have the authority to administer justice by hearing and determining

the controversies. Different states accept different grounds for divorce. For

example, some states only accept no-fault divorce where other states

accept both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Spouses may choose to

file for a "no-fault" or "fault-based" divorce.

No-Fault Divorce. No-fault divorce statutes allow a spouse to file for

divorce without blaming the other spouse for the dissolution. Grounds for a

no-fault divorce include irreconcilable differences, irremediable breakdown

and loss of affection.

Fault-Based Divorce. Many states also allow a spouse to obtain a

fault-based divorce. Grounds for a fault-based divorce include adultery,

abandonment, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. Spouses

may choose to obtain a fault-based divorce to avoid a required waiting

period, or to influence the court's decisions regarding child custody, child

support, alimony, and division of assets.

 9

Review of Related Literature

On the Socio-Civil Family Status. Parents’ divorce has both short-

and long-term effects on children. Some short-term effects include (1)

children might feel guilty or responsible for the divorce, (2) they may

become increasingly aggressive, violent and/or uncooperative, lashing out

at both parents, (3) may become emotionally needy out of fear of being

abandoned, (4) may lose the ability to concentrate which could then affect

academic performance, and (5) may develop intense feelings of grief and

loss. Although many of the effects of divorce on children are short term after

which they fade once the child has time to adjust to the new family situation

and all the changes that have occurred, there are many cases where the

effects may be long term. The children of divorced parents may be more

likely to: (1) be less educated, (2) experience poverty and/or socio-

economic disadvantage, (3) exhibit anti-social behavior as well as other

behavioral problems, (4) suffer from drug and/or alcohol addictions, and (5)

experience separation and/or divorce themselves.

Burton (2012) reports that a recent study by University of Notre

Dame and the University of Rochester revealed that parents’ marital

problems can leave a lasting impact on their young children. Researchers

found that when young children witnessed conflict between their parents,

this eventually leads to issues in their teenage years, including depression

and anxiety. “The results further highlight the possibility that there will be

persistent negative effects of children's early experiences when there is

 10

conflict between their parents, at least when their emotional insecurity

increases as a result of the conflict,” according to Mark Cummings, Notre

Dame Endowed Chair in Psychology, who led the research.

Moon (2011) finds that the self-interests and personal experiences

associated with marital status influence perceptions of the effects of divorce

on children. Regardless of gender, parents’ marital or divorce influences

their ratings of the impact of divorce on children. Specifically, married

fathers and mothers evaluated the impact of divorce on their children more

negatively than did divorced fathers and mothers. These findings are

consistent with the social psychology literature, and the need individuals

have to reduce their cognitive dissonance is extended to the divorce

literature. Mothers and fathers whose parents had remained married also

reported the impact of divorce more negatively than those whose parents

had divorced. Parents who initiated divorce reported the effects of divorce

less negatively than those that did not initiate the divorce.

Family structure perspective essentially states that two-parent

homes facilitate a better environment for youths' well-being compared with

single-parent homes (Erel & Burman, 1995). This theory suggests that

adolescents and children from single-parent homes are severely

handicapped. Accordingly, this perspective argues that all things being

equal, the most salient effect of single-parent homes on children is the lack

of the physical presence of two parents. Often the methodology employed

either marital status or some other identifier of two parents in the home as
 11

the main independent variable for predicting outcomes (Florsheim, Tolan,

& Gorman-Smith, 1998). Recent studies of African American populations

indicated that children from two-parent homes do better than children from

single-parent homes on a variety of social indicators (Coley, 1998; McLeod,

Kruttschnitt, & Dornfeld, 1994; Teachman, Day, Paasch, Carver, & Call,

1998). For instance, McLanahan (1985) found that African American

children living with one parent were less likely to be in school at age 17 than

their two-parent counterparts. In another study, a significant positive

relationship was found between father presence and self-esteem (Alston &

Williams, 1982). Father-present youths also exhibited stronger scholastic

achievement and more stable peer relations. The researchers concluded

that the father-son relationship facilitated the adoption of an adequate self-

concept because boys were able to model their fathers. Another recent

study (Paschall, Ennett, & Flewelling, 1996) found that living in a single-

parent home was a significant risk factor for violent behavior in African

American children. Another study of 107 low-income African American

children found that children whose fathers were present had significantly

higher adaptive functioning scores than did children whose fathers did not

live with them (Dunn & Tucker, 1993). A recent longitudinal study found that

African American children in two-parent homes had significantly higher

math and reading scores and lower behavioral problems than did children

in single-parent homes. The results held up over a 4-year period for both

older and younger siblings in the sample (Teachman et al., 1998). However,
 12

some researchers highlighted the fact that not all studies show advantages

for two-parent homes (Heiss, 1996; Phillips & Asbury, 1993). Also, even for

the studies that do, the effect sizes may not be large enough to be socially

relevant (Heiss, 1996). Many researchers also argued that the

consequences of single-parent homes were mainly related to the economic

deprivation of the single-parent home (e.g., McLeod et al., 1994; A. N.

Wilson, 1979), and others argued that the studies did not account for

important aspects of family functioning or extended kin (Dancy & Handal,

1984; Logan, 1996; Long, 1986; Partridge & Kotler, 1987; Scott & Black,

1989). For instance, Boyd-Franklin (1989) argued that the strength of

flexible family roles in African American families has not been taken into

consideration. In other words, many researchers have been interested in

knowing whether the observed effects of family structure persisted when

important sociodemographic and environmental variables, such as family

income and family functioning were controlled (Demo & Acock, 1988;

Partridge & Kotler, 1987). These assumptions and questions led to

alternative theoretical perspectives.

On Perception to Divorce. Divorce rates in most countries have

changed in recent decades, although the pace and direction of change has

differed across regions of the world (Cherlin 1992; Heaton, Cammack, and

Young 2001). Rises in divorce rates have been recorded in most Western

and some East Asian countries, while at the same time declines have been

observed in some Islamic Southeast Asian countries until recently (Goode

 13

1993; Dommaraju and Jones 2011; Cammack and Heaton 2011).

Ideological and structural changes associated with modernization and

economic development figure prominently as explanations advanced for

increases in marital disruption, although the causality and contributions of

individual factors are still not clear (Heaton, Cammack, and Young 2001).

Curiously, the same factors associated with modernization (e.g., increasing

female labor force participation and ideational change) that ushered in the

rise in divorce rates in Western countries also contributed to the falling

divorce trends in Southeast Asian Islamic countries, although the

mechanisms involved were different (Jones 1997). For instance, increasing

female participation in the labor force encouraged divorce among women in

the West by enabling them to become financially independent, increasing

marital friction over household management arrangements, and exposing

women to alternative potential partners in the work environment (Jones

1997). These effects are also evident in Islamic Southeast Asian countries,

but they have been outweighed by other divorce-reducing effects, such as

links with rising educational levels and self-arranged marriage, which

eventually led to greater commitment to chosen partners (Jones 1997).

Divorce, both as an event and an institution, is no longer rare in the

U.S. As a consequence, there are now countless books and studies

examining divorce in general. Many studies have focused on the effects on

the partners who go through it, or on the behavioral consequences divorce

has on the children who experience it. Few studies however, have
 14

examined the question of how the impacts of divorce are carried with those

children into adulthood, or how the effects of divorce impacts children’s

identities over time. While children of divorce have been extensively

studied, these studies mainly address issues the child experiences within

the first couple of years. Many studies have found that children may exhibit

academic problems, internalizing behaviors, social responsibility issues,

low self-esteem, psychological adjustment issues, or social competence

problems after their parents’ divorce (Forehand et al. 1994; Cherlin and

Furstenberg 1994; Amato and Keith 1991; Beaty 1995). It is noted however

that most times a homeostasis is normally achieved roughly 2-3 years after

the divorce (Cherlin and Furstenberg 1994).

Aside from the Vatican City, the Philippines is the only country in the

world where divorce is not legal (Emery 2013), although the practice has a

long history in the Philippines setting (Fisher 1926; Fernandez 1976).

Indeed, the prevalence of divorce among Filipinos was pointed to as one of

the obstacles to Spanish efforts to introduce the Catholic sacrament of

matrimony to the Philippines (Phelan 1959). During the precolonial period,

divorce was practiced by some ancestral tribes in the Philippines –

particularly among the Tagbanwans of Palawan, the Gadangs of Nueva

Viscaya, the Sagadans and Igorots of the Cordilleras, and the Manobos,

B’laans, and Moslems of the Visayas and Mindanao islands (House of

Representatives, Republic of the Philippines 2010). During this period,

economic sanctions were imposed on the spouse who caused the

 15

separation, or, in the absence of a clear cause, on the spouse who initiated

the divorce or separation (Fernandez 1976). For example, when a husband

separated from his wife because she had had an adulterous relationship,

the wife was required to pay a fine, in addition to returning the dowry.

However, the dowry was not returned in cases where the wife left her

husband due to the latter’s fault (Fernandez 1976). During the Spanish

colonization of the Philippines and following the introduction of Christianity,

divorce was prohibited and only legal separation was allowed (Fisher 1926).

Divorce was again permitted during the American period (1898‒1943,

1945‒ 1946) through Act No. 2710, but the grounds were limited to adultery

by the wife and concubinage on the part of the husband (Reyes 1953;

Feliciano 1994). These grounds were briefly expanded during the Japanese

occupation (1941‒1945) with the promulgation of a new divorce law,

Executive Order No.141, but this was repealed when the Commonwealth

Government under the Americans was established in 1944, and Act No.

2710 was reinstated (Reyes 1953; Juco 1966; Bernardo 1998; Daytec-

Yangot 2015). Six years later, Act No. 2710 was itself repealed with the

introduction of the Civil Code of the Philippines on 30 August 1950 (Nolledo

1997). Under the Civil Code only legal separation was allowed. The Family

Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209) took effect on 3 August

1988, and it replaced the Civil Code’s provisions on marriage and the family

(Fenix-Villavicencio and David 2000). Under the Family Code, divorce is not

allowed in the Philippines, except for Filipinos who are married to foreigners
 16

and seek divorce in another country and Filipino Muslims who are governed

by the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines (Lopez 2006). The

Family Code, however, provides three measures that allow spouses to seek

relief from a marriage: a) legal separation, b) annulment of marriage, and c)

declaration of nullity of marriage (Gloria 2007). Legal separation allows the

couple to live separately but restrains them from remarrying because the

prior marriage still legally exists (Fenix- Villavicencio and David 2000;

Constable 2003; Emery 2013). Some of the grounds for legal separation

include repeated physical violence or grossly abusive misconduct, drug

addiction or habitual alcoholism, lesbianism or homosexuality, and sexual

infidelity or perversion (Nolledo 1987). A declaration of nullity of marriage

presupposes that the marriage was not only defective but also null and void

at the time it was celebrated. The marriage is considered not to have been

contracted and the spouses can remarry after fulfilling certain requirements

(Gloria 2007). Some examples of voidable marriages include those where

either spouse was below 18 years of age, even if their parents or guardians

consented to the marriage, and those that were solemnized by someone

who had no legal authority to solemnize marriages. An instance where

either spouse is found to be “psychologically incapacitated to comply with

the essential marital obligations of marriage” is also considered to void the

marriage, even when manifestation of the incapacity occurs after the

solemnization of the marriage (Nolledo 1987: 10). Finally, in annulment the

marriage is declared to have been defective at the time of celebration, but

 17

is considered valid until the time it is annulled (Fenix-Villavicencio and David

2000). Hence, prior to the annulment the parties cannot remarry (Gloria

2007). Some of the grounds for annulment of marriage include incapacity

of either spouse to consummate the marriage, either spouse having a

sexually transmitted disease, the consent of either spouse having been

obtained through fraud, or either spouse having been of unsound mind

(Nolledo 1987).

Although legal means are available to terminate marriage in the

Philippines, Filipino couples rarely resort to them because of their

prohibitive cost, the very long legal procedure involved, and the lack of any

guarantee that they will be granted (Taylor 1983; Lopez 2006; Emery 2013;

Calonzo and Cayabyab 2013). In Metro Manila, attorneys’ fees for

matrimonial dissolution cases range from approximately P20,000 to

P1,000,000 (USD 398 to USD 19,8782), or more for complex cases, with

an average fee of P50,000 (USD 994) (Lopez 2006: 95). This does not

include filing fees and other related expenses. In addition to these costs,

some groups lament the inadequacy of available legal measures to respond

to the many causes of marriage failure (Bernardo 1998). Declarations of

nullity of marriage and annulment do not cover problems that occur during

the course of marriage, while legal separation, although it covers problems

that arise during the marriage, does not terminate it and allow the parties to

enter new marriages (Bernardo 1998; Daytec-Yangot 2015). These factors

have led some groups, particularly women’s groups, to file a series of

 18

divorce bills in the Philippine Congress. Advocates of divorce law in the

Philippines argue that divorce will liberate women from the bondage of

marital violence and will promote the wellbeing not only of spouses but also

of children from broken marriages (Fenix-Villavicencio and David 2000;

Miller 2008; Jacob 2013). “Children conceived or born out of a void or

annulled marriage are considered illegitimate and an amended birth

certificate indicating the new civil status of the children affected is ordered

by the court, unless the judgment of nullity or annulment was based on

Articles 36 and 53 of the Family Code” (Jacob 2013: 24). Some argue that

once divorce is legalized and has been accepted in the Philippines, the

stigma associated with being the ‘second’ family or ‘anak sa labas’ (an

illegitimate child) will be eliminated (Jacob 2013). Although several divorce

bills have been filed in the Philippine Congress, none has yet succeeded,

due in part to very strong opposition from the Catholic Church (Taylor 1983;

Pamfilo 2007; Miller 2008). The Roman Catholic Church and those against

any divorce bill believe that “divorce is unconstitutional, that it is anathema

to Filipino culture, that it is immoral, that it will destroy the Filipino family,

that it will legalize promiscuity, that it will contribute to the increase in broken

families, that it will be abused by spouses who find it easier to give up on

their marriage rather than try to reconcile their differences, that it will lead

to custody battles, and that it will be detrimental for the children” (Gloria

2007: 18). The Catholic Church argues that divorce is unnecessary in the
 19

Philippines because there are already provisions in the Family Code to end

an unsatisfactory marriage.

The increasing prevalence of union dissolution in the Philippines has

been accompanied by changing attitudes toward divorce (Bulatao 1978;

Mangahas 2012). In the past, only a minority of Filipinos approved of a

divorce law being introduced in the Philippines (Bulatao 1978), but public

approval of divorce has been changing. Consistently, over the last 20 years,

roughly 40% of Filipinos aged 18 years or over have agreed to the

statement “Divorce is usually the best solution when a couple can’t seem to

work out their problems” (Figure 2). Although this proportion barely changed

between 1994 and 2012, the proportion that disagreed declined slightly,

from 49% in 1994 to 45% in 2012. Meanwhile, the proportion ambivalent

about divorce rose slightly, from 13% to 16%. A similar but much more

recent indicator, however, reveals that Filipinos have become more open to

the idea of divorce, as evidenced by increasing agreement with the

statement “Married couples who have already separated and cannot

reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally

married again”. In 2005 the proportion of Filipinos aged 18 years and over

who agreed with this statement was only 43%, but this had increased to

60% by 2014. Approval of this statement was higher among men than

women, and this gender difference widened between 2005 and 2014. In

2005, 44% of men and 41% of women agreed with it. Corresponding

percentages in 2014 were 62% for men and 57% for women. If these figures
 20

are any indication, it is likely that a much more liberal attitude toward divorce

is emerging, but whether this openness to divorce will translate to legislation

remains an open question.

 21

Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Profile of Senior High

School Students

a. Sex
b. Socio-civil
Family Status
Determine the
Perception to Divorce Survey
relationship of
Questionnaire
Degree of Influence students’ socio-
of Socio-civil Family civil family status
Status to Perception Statistical
to their perception
on Divorce Treatment
to divorce
Comparison of
Perception on
Divorce as to Sex
and Socio-civil Family
Status

Figure 1.0 Conceptual Framework of the Study

Figure 1.0 showed the Conceptual Framework of the study. The

respondents’ profiles were obtained from their sex, and socio-civil family

status. Perception to Divorce pertained to the level of agreement of

respondents to divorce. The Degree of Influence of Socio-civil Family Status

to Perception on Divorce was asked to see the relationship of the two

variables. The data were gathered through survey questionnaires and

statistical treatment. The results were used to determine the relationship of

students’ socio-civil family status to their perception on divorce.

 22

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

The research study aimed to determine the relationship between the

socio-civil family status of Cebu Doctors’ University Grade 12 Senior High

School students of academic year 2017-2018 and their perception to

divorce.

Specifically, the study aims to:

1. Determine the profile of senior high school students as to:

1.1 Sex

1.2 Socio-civil family status

2. Determine the respondents’ perception or stand on divorce.

3. Determine the degree of influence of respondents’ socio-civil family

status to their perception to divorce.

4. Compare respondents’ perception on divorce when grouped

according to:

4.1 Sex

4.2 Socio-civil family status

 23

Significance of the Study

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the

socio-civil family status of students’ parents and the students’ perception to

divorce.

Specifically, the study aimed to benefit the following:

To the students. The study may serve as an eye opener about

millennials’ view on divorce.

To the guidance counselors. The study may serve as a basis/guide

for dealing with children/students of various family background.

To the future researchers. The study may serve as a basis for

future researchers if they want to pursue a study related or similar to the

researchers’ study.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study focused on the relationship between the socio-civil family

status of the parents of Grade 12 Senior High School students, A.Y. 2017-

2018 of Cebu Doctors’ University, located at North Reclamation Area,

Mandaue City, Cebu, and their perception to divorce.

Socio-civil family status pertained to the respondents’ state of

biological parents being together or separated, and is indicated as either

“together” or “separated,” regardless of the legality of the union, and/or their

distance from each other (e.g. Overseas Workers, spouses in the army,
 24

etc.) This study, however, did not include respondents whose one or both

parents are deceased.

Perception pertained to the level of agreement to divorce and was

classified into “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neutral,” “disagree,” or “strongly

disagree.”
 25

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The research design best involved with the chosen subject was a

descriptive-causal design. This was because the aim of the researchers

was to determine the current state of the perspective of the respondents to

divorce; as well as to determine the relationship of their socio-civil family

status and their perception to divorce. The researchers saw this design as

the best course of action as this design provided the research the needed

and ideal datum in order for the research to be fruitful.

Research Environment

The research was conducted in the Cebu Doctors University, located

at North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. The reason

why the researchers chose this site was because, the locale covered a

population of Senior High School students who can be efficient respondents

in relevance to the main objective of the study.

Research Respondents

The researchers had chosen the entire population of grade 12

students of Cebu Doctors’ University for the reason of their openness and

mental maturity. Also, they were chosen because of all children born to

married parents, 50% will experience the divorce of their parents before

they reach the age of 18. (Fagan and Rector, 2000)

 26

Research Instruments

The study used a Likert scale to determine the relationship between

the respondent’s socio-civil family status and their perception to divorce.

This tool is a common scaling technique which consists of several

declarative statements that express a viewpoint on a topic. The respondents

were asked to indicate how much they agree or disagree with the

statements. The tool was written in English as it is a language commonly

understood by both respondents and researchers. Along with the Likert

scale was a dichotomous questionnaire that profiled the respondents and

the socio-civil family status of their parents.

Research Procedures

Preliminaries

The researchers determined the topic of the study, the variables

which were to be observed during the collection and analysis of data (socio-

civil family status and perception to divorce) and the possible respondents

of the said study.

After confirmation, the researchers created a research instrument

which enabled them to collect the needed data, based on the chosen

variables and the characteristics of possible respondents; this instrument

being a survey.

After which, the researchers tested this instrument for both its

effectiveness and ethicality. After the research instrument had been

 27

approved for its effectiveness and ethicality, the researchers began to select

the respondents which were able to provide the needed data. The number

of respondents needed for the study was the entire population of the Grade

12 students of Cebu Doctors’ University conveniently.

After these steps were done, a research proposal was conducted.

Gathering of Data

Once the researchers were given approval of their proposal,

collection of data began. The researchers presented a transmittal letter

addressed to the Senior High School Principal. The researchers provided

the selected respondents with copies of the research instruments which

were answered; this being done right after the respondents were well-

informed about the nature of the study, what was to be done with the results

during and after the study, and when the respondents freely gave their

consent to participate in the study.

After enough data had been collected, the data underwent thorough

statistical treatment, then analysis in order for the researchers to provide a

precise and accurate interpretation, right after a summary of the collected

data had been made. Once the researchers had formulated a reasonable

interpretation, the answered surveys were disposed in order to protect the

identities of the respondents and a conclusion was then created.

The study underwent an oral defense of complete dissertation where

changes in the study may be required to be made in order to improve the

 28

study in regards to its credibility. After all, required changes were made, the

researchers proceeded to publish their study.

Statistical Treatment

To answer the statement of the problems, the following statistical

methods were employed:

1. Percentage. This was to get the proportion of the whole

Percentage (%) = F/N x 100

Where: F - stands for the frequency of responses

N - number of participants

2. Weighted Mean. This was to arrive at a verbal description/interpretation

of each item in three (3) selected checklists.

WM = TWF/N

Where: WM - weighted mean

TWF - Total Weighted Frequency

N - Number of respondents

3. The chi-square was used to find out if there were significant differences

(relationships) in the sex and socio-civil family status of respondents to their

perception to divorce.
 29

Formula (Calmorin, 1996)

 (O  E ) 2
X2 =
E

Where: X2 - chi-square

O - observed frequency

E - expected frequency
 30

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Socio-civil family status – pertains to the respondents’ state of biological

parents being together or separated, and is indicated as either “together”

or “separated,” regardless of the legality of the union, and/or distance

from each other.

Senior High School Students – refers to the Grade 12 senior high school

students of Cebu Doctors’ University, A.Y. 2017-2018.

Perception to Divorce - pertains to the level of agreement to divorce that

is classified into “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neutral,” “disagree,” or

“strongly disagree.”

Together – refers to biological parents who are committed to each other

emotionally and/or financially, regardless of the legality of their union or

their distance apart.

Separated – refers to biological parents who are no longer committed to

each other like they used to be. They may be legally separated e.g.

annulled, broken up, or in a relationship with someone else.

 31

Chapter 2

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presented the results and discussion of the study. It was

divided into four (4) sections:

1. Profile of the Respondents

2. Perception or Stand of Respondents on Divorce

3. Degree of Influence of Respondents’ Socio-civil Family Status to

Their Perception to Divorce

4. Comparison of Perceptions on Divorce of Respondents Grouped

According to Sex and Socio-civil Family Status

Profile of the Respondents

1.1 Sex of Respondents

Male Female

28%

72%

Figure 2.0 Distribution of Respondents According to Sex

 32

Figure 2.0 showed the distribution of respondents according to sex.

The total number of males was 43 (28%) while the total number of females

was 108 (72%). Thus, the total population was n=151. In the figure, the

population of the females was higher compared to the population of the

males because the overall population of Cebu Doctors’ University

presented a large population for females.

According to Association of American Medical Colleges (2010),

women are a large and growing segment of the medical profession. In some

specialties, they are already the majority. Today, nearly a third of all

practicing physicians are women, and they account for more than 60% of

pediatricians and more than 51% of obstetricians/gynecologists. More

women are turning to careers in medicine—46% of all physicians in training

and almost half of all medical students are women, according to an AAMC

analysis. Over 60% of trainees in dermatology are women, and the number

of female general surgery trainees is now 38%. This would help validate

why there were more females than males in relation to the profiling of

respondents.
 33

1.2 Socio-civil Family Status of Respondents

Together Separated

8%

92%

Figure 3.0 Distribution of Respondents According to Socio-civil Family

Status

Figure 3.0 showed the distribution of respondents according to their

socio-civil family status. The total number of respondents whose socio-civil

family status is together, was 139 (92%) while the total number of

respondents whose socio-civil family status is separated, was 12 (8%).

Thus, the total population still was n=151. In the figure, the population of

respondents whose socio-civil family status is together, was higher

compared to the population of respondents whose socio-civil family status

is separated, mainly because of the reason that Filipinos uphold the value

of family togetherness.
 34

Of the household population 10 years old and over in 2007, 45.3

percent were married while 44.3 percent were never married. The rest of

the household population was categorized as follows: widowed (4.3%),

divorced/separated (1.2%), common law / live-in marital arrangement

(4.5%), and unknown marital status (0.4%) (Philippine Commission on

Women, 2014).

This would mean that, disregarding respondents of deceased

parents and unknown marital statuses, there are still more people living

together, whether formally or not, compared to those who are no longer

together (49.8% compared to 45.5%).

Furthermore, the Philippines remains to be the bastion of Christianity

in Asia with 86.8 million Filipinos—or 93 percent of a total population of 93.3

million—being baptized as Christians. This makes it the top Christian

country in Asia, and 5th in the world (Miller, 2012). Since Christianity

discourages divorce, it affects the mindset of Filipino couples to make

separation the last and final resort in a rough marriage.

These facts would help explain why a great majority of the

respondents were identified as part of a "together" family.

 35

Perception or Stand of Respondents on Divorce

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

9%

12% 28%

13%

38%

Figure 4.0 Distribution of Respondents According to Perception on

Divorce

Figure 4.0 showed the distribution of respondents according to their

perception on divorce. Out of all the 151 respondents, 28% of them strongly

agreed with divorce; 13% of them disagreed with divorce; 38% of them was

neutral; 12% of them agreed with it; and 9% of them strongly agreed with it.

Thus, the most prevalent perception on divorce of the respondents was

neutral while the least prevalent or common perception on divorce of the

respondents was strongly agree. This is mainly because of the reason that

Filipinos are open-minded to the issue or topic.

 36

Millennials, or people born from 1980s to present, are found to have

a more open-mind towards divorce and divorced people, unlike those of

previous generations that carried a stigma against the issue.

Whitton et al. (2013) stated that millennials also reported more

positive attitudes toward divorce, which were associated with higher divorce

proneness (i.e., thinking about and taking actions toward divorce).

However, despite their proneness to choose divorce, there has been lower

divorce rates since the 1990s. This may be attributed to the newer

generation's choice to wait longer before getting married/starting long-term

relationships (Renfro, 2015).

These would aid in explaining why most of the respondents, who are

millennials, had a generally "neutral" stand on divorce.

The second most prevalent perception on divorce was strongly

disagree and the least prevalent perception was strongly agree because of

religion bias. At the start, when divorce was proposed in the Philippines, a

lot of people in the government and the Church turned it down because of

their religious and cultural beliefs (Yan, 2011). The Catholic Bishops'

Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opposed the divorce law and

launched a concerted campaign against the divorce bill filed in Congress.

The CBCP secretary general, Msgr. Juanito Figura also opposed the

divorce law and stated that they must focus more on helping strengthen the

family and husband-and-wife relationships instead of entertaining the

possibility of divorce in the country. Because of such actions and statements

 37

of the Catholic Church against divorce, most of the views of Filipino towards

divorce became disagreeable (Wiser, 2016). Hence, this explains why the

second most prevalent perception on divorce by the respondents was

“strongly disagree” while the least prevalent perception was “strongly

agree”.

Degree of Influence of Respondents’ Socio-civil Family Status to Their

Perception to Divorce

50
45
45
40
40
35
30
25 23

20 18

15 13

10
4
5 2 2 2 2
0
Together Separated

Very Influential Influential Neutral Not So Influential Not Influential

Figure 5.0 Degree of Influence of Socio-civil Family Status to Perception

on Divorce

Figure 5.0 showed the degree of influence of respondents' socio-

civil family status to their perception on divorce. For respondents whose

family was together, the most prevalent degree of influence of socio-

civil family status to the perception on divorce was neutral (45 out of 139
 38

complete-family respondents) while the least common degree of influence

of socio-civil family status to the perception on divorce was not so

influential (13 out of 139 complete-family respondents, individually).

For respondents whose family was separated, the most prevalent or

common degree of influence of socio-civil family status to the perception on

divorce was very influential (4 out of 12 broken-family respondents) while

the least common degree of influence of socio-civil family status to the

perception on divorce were the other four remaining degrees (2 out of 12

broken-family respondents, individually).

The most prevalent degree of influence of socio-civil family status to

perception on divorce for together families was neutral while for separated

families was very influential for the reason that there are different factors

that affect the perception of people. For respondents who belonged to

complete families, they might not see a direct degree of influence of their

socio-civil family status to their perception on divorce. However, to those

respondents who belonged to separated families, they might view a strong

degree of influence of their status to their perception on divorce as they may

have different experiences being in their socio-civil family status compared

to those belonged in complete families. According to Hovland et al. (1953),

opinion change can occur from factors such as effective arguments and

appeals, underlying personality factors and social role influence. Things

such as motivation, thought processes, social influence and mass

communication problems skills are emphasized. Hence, this can help verify
 39

the result of the degree of influence of socio-civil family status to perception

on divorce as respondents were grouped to their individual statuses.

Comparison of Perceptions on Divorce of Respondents Grouped According

to Sex and Socio-civil Family Status

4.1 Perception on Divorce of Respondents Grouped According to Sex

45
41
40

35

30 28

25

20 17
15 16 15
15

10 7
6
5 3 3

0
Male Female

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Figure 6.0 Perception on Divorce Across Sexes

Figure 6.0 showed the perception on divorce of respondents grouped

according to sex. For males, the most prevalent perception on divorce was

neutral (16 out of 43 males) while the least common perceptions on divorce

were both disagree and agree (3 out of 43 males, individually). For females,

the most prevalent or common perception on divorce was neutral (41 out of

108 females) while the least common perception on divorce was strongly

agree (7 out of 108 females). In totality, the most prevalent perception on

 40

divorce for both sexes was neutral (57 out of 151 respondents) while the

least frequent or common perception on divorce for both sexes was strongly

agree (13 out of 151 respondents). This implied that the respondents

grouped according to sex generally had a neutral stand on divorce.

Table 1.0 Chi-Square Test – Sex and Perception on Divorce

Using the statistical treatment, the Chi-Square Test (Table 1.0)

showed that there was no significant correlation between the sex of the

respondents to their perception on divorce. This meant that the most

prevalent neutral stand, and the least common strongly agree stand of the

respondents grouped according to their sexes did not have a relation or

were not determined through their sex. Elaborately, being male or female

was not a determinant for the respondents’ perception on divorce.

The results with regards to the perception on divorce of respondents

grouped according to sex showed that males and females have a neutral

stand or perception on divorce. Meaning, males and females are neither

agreeable or disagreeable to the topic or issue. Instead, they are moderate

and/or just do not give attention nor negligence about it. This is mainly
 41

because irrespective of the sex, people have not viewed divorce in its full

context for the reason that it is not yet implemented or legalized in the

country and/or because of different factors. Moreover, with the findings, it

was shown that being a male or a female is not a determinant for what the

stand of any person on divorce is.

4.2 Perception on Divorce of Respondents Grouped According to Socio-

civil Family Status

60 56

50
42
40

30

19
20
11 11
10 6
1 1 2 2
0
Together Separated

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Figure 7.0 Perception on Divorce Across Socio-civil Family Statuses

Figure 7.0 showed the perception on divorce of respondents grouped

according to socio-civil family status. For respondents whose family was

together, the most prevalent perception on divorce was neutral (56 out of

139 complete-family respondents) while the least common perceptions on

divorce were both agree and strongly agree (11 out of 139 complete-family
 42

respondents, individually). For respondents whose family was separated,

the most prevalent or common perception on divorce was agree (6 out of

12 broken-family respondents) while the least common perceptions on

divorce were both strongly disagree and disagree (1 out of 12 broken-family

respondents, individually). In totality, the most prevalent perception on

divorce for both respondents with different socio-civil family statuses was

neutral (58 out of 151 respondents) while the least frequent or common

perception on divorce for both respondents with different socio-civil family

status was strongly agree (13 out of 151 respondents). This implied that the

respondents grouped according to their socio-civil family status generally

had a neutral stand on divorce.

Table 2.0 Chi-Square Test – Socio-civil Family Status and Perception on

Divorce

Using the statistical treatment, the Chi-Square Test (Table 2.0)

showed that there was a significant correlation between the socio-civil

family status of the respondents to their perception on divorce. This meant

that the most prevalent neutral stand, and the least common strongly agree
 43

stand of the respondents grouped according to their socio-civil family

statuses had a relation or was determined through their socio-civil family

status. Elaborately, being in a complete or broken family was a determinant

for the respondents’ perception on divorce. This entailed furthermore that

the general perception of respondents who belonged in a complete family

(neutral) was different from the general perception of respondents who

belonged in a broken or separated family (agree).

The results with regards to the perception on divorce of respondents

grouped according to socio-civil family status showed that persons coming

from both together and separated families had a general neutral stand or

perception on divorce. However, since the application of the statistical

treatment showed that there was a significance difference between the

socio-civil family status and the person’s perception on divorce, it can be

concluded that a specific socio-civil family status of a person entails or

corresponds a distinct perception on divorce. As far as this research had

gathered, findings showed that persons who belong to complete families

tend to be more neutral on the issue of divorce while persons who belong

to broken or separated families tend to agree more on the said issue or

topic. This is mainly because people who belong to separated families

basically experience the negative effects or impacts of not having divorce

in the country. And so, they see that having it is a necessity (Hovland et al.,

1953).
 44

There was a significant correlation between socio-civil family status

and perception on divorce because of factors that connect them while there

was no significant correlation between sex and perception on divorce

because sex doesn’t have factors that connect to perceptions since it is just

the biological makeup of a person. Studies show that one's sex has little or

no bearing on personality, cognition and leadership. According to Hyde

(2005), gender differences have either no or a very small effect on most of

the psychological variables which are examined.

 45

Chapter 3

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the

study were presented in this chapter.

Using the convenience sampling, out of two hundred ten (210) Grade

12 students (excluding the researchers), one hundred fifty-one (151)

students from Grade 12 were surveyed since the collection of data was

realized during a week where the respondents were preparing for a huge

school event. Hence, the response rate of the survey was seventy-two

percent (72%).

Summary of Findings

Based on the gathered data in Chapter Two (2) the following were

found:

In Cebu Doctors’ University, the total number of females from the

respondents was 108 (71%) while the total number of males was 43 (28%).

Thus, the total population was n=151. Out of one hundred fifty-one (151)

respondents, the total number of students who had parents that were

together was 139 (92%), while the total number of students who had

separated parents was 12 (8%).

The survey revealed that the perception on divorce of grade 12

senior high school students of Cebu Doctors’ University was neutral. It

 46

showed that 28% of them strongly disagreed with divorce; 13% of them

disagreed with divorce; 38% of them were neutral; 12% of them agreed with

it; and 9% of them strongly agreed with it.

Moreover, the survey showed that the students’ degree of influence

of the socio-civil family status to the perception on divorce was neutral. It

showed that 18% of them was strongly influenced by their socio-civil family

status; 28% of them found their status influential; 31% found it neutral; 10%

found it not so influential; and 13% found it not influential at all.

Using the chi-square test, results showed that there was no

significant difference between the sexes to the perception of divorce. For

the males, 35% of them strongly disagreed with divorce; 7% of them

disagreed with it; 37% of them were neutral; 7% of them agreed; and 14%

of them strongly agreed. For the females, 26% of them strongly disagreed

with divorce; 16% of them disagreed with it; 38% of them were neutral; 14%

of them agreed; and 6% of them strongly agreed.

In socio-civil family status and the perception on divorce however, a

chi-square test revealed that there was a significant difference between the

two. The results showed that 30% of the students whose parents were

together strongly disagreed with divorce; 14% of them disagreed; 40% of

them were neutral; 8% of them agreed; and 8% of them strongly agreed as

well. On the other hand, for the students whose parents were separated,

8% of them strongly disagreed with divorce; 8% of them disagreed with it;

 47

17% of them were neutral; 50% of them agreed; and 17% of them strongly

agreed.

Conclusions

With the data collected, discussed, analyzed and interpreted, the

following conclusions were made:

1. There was a significant correlation between the socio-civil family

status of Cebu Doctors’ University Grade 12 Senior High School

students of academic year 2017-2018 and their perception to

divorce.

2. The respondents whose socio-civil family status was together,

tended to be more neutral on the issue of divorce while the

respondents whose socio-civil family status was separated, tended

to agree more on the said issue or topic.

Recommendations

For the beneficiaries of the study, the researchers would like to

recommend the following:

1. That the students will be able to know the relation between their

socio-civil family status and perception on divorce so that they may

take a stand on what they can do to help in this matter.

2. That the guidance counselors will be able to recognize the general

perception of the students with regards to divorce so that they may

 48

handle and deal the students with different family backgrounds more

flexibly.

3. That the future researchers will be able to discern the importance of

conducting such kind of research so that they may pursue a related

study about the main concept.

In the interest of future studies, the researchers would like to

recommend the following:

1. That they will be able to come up with a new idea or concept to work

and study in relation to the results of the study of socio-civil family

status and the perceptions of divorce.

2. That they will be able to consider a greater population of

respondents for the realization of the research to be more feasible

and credible and/or in order to balance the population and avoid

biases.

3. That they will be able to look into more factors that may or may not

directly relate to perceptions on divorce (e.g. socioeconomic status,

religion, and family religiosity) for a broader range or scope of

information.
 49

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Identities of Children of Divorce (Undergraduate Honors Thesis).

University of Colorado Boulder. Retrieved July 9, 2017, from

http://scholar.colorado.edu/honr_theses/1434/
 51

Types of Marital Status. (n.d.). Retrieved July 9, 2017, from

http://oureverydaylife.com/marital-status-types-6879268.html

Whitton, S. W., Stanley, S. M., Markman, H. J., & Johnson, C. A. (2013,

April 01). Attitudes Toward Divorce, Commitment, and Divorce

Proneness in First Marriages and Remarriages. Retrieved October

14, 2017, from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3636559/

Wiser, B. (2016, November 26). Why in the World Don't We Have Divorce

in the Philippines? Retrieved October 14, 2017, from

http://preen.inquirer.net/28920/why-in-the-world-dont-we-have-

divorce-in-the-philippines

Yan, C. B. (2011). Politics & Religion Divorce in the Philippines. Retrieved

October 14, 2017, from

http://www.globalpinoy.com/gp.topics.v1/viewtopic.php?postid=4def

2e865b5f5&channelName=4def2e865b5f5
 52

APPENDIX A

CEBU DOCTORS’ UNIVERSITY

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS STRAND
ATTY. ROEL S. HORTELANO
Principal, Senior High School
Cebu Doctors’ University
Mandaue City
Dear Atty. Hortelano:
As a partial fulfillment of the requirement for the subject Research 2, we, the Grade 12
students of Cebu Doctors’ University - Senior High School Department, are conducting a
study entitled “The Relation of Socio-civil Family Status of Cebu Doctors’ University’s
Senior High School Students of A.Y. 2017-2018 and Their Perception to Divorce.”
In line with this, we would like to ask your consent to allow us to distribute survey
questionnaires to all sections of the Grade 12 - Senior High School Department, as this is
our method of data collection.
We are hoping for your positive and timely response.
Thank you and more power to your office.
Sincerely yours,
KHATYANA LAUREN TONGCO
LLOYD EMMANUEL OLIVA Member
Group Leader
JUDY LYNN SANDICO
LEVIE BOY ENRIQUEZ Member
Member
MARIA MONICA TILLAH
Member

Endorsed by:

RIA M. ALCANTARA, M. Chem

Research Instructor
Approved by:

ATTY. ROEL S. HORTELANO

Principal, Senior High School
 53

APPENDIX B

INFORMED CONSENT FORM

Content to Participate in a Research Study

Title of Research Study. The Relation of Socio-civil Family Status of Cebu Doctors’
University’s Senior High School Students and Their Perception to Divorce, Academic Year
2017-2018

Investigator. Enriquez, Levie Boy, Oliva, Lloyd Emmanuel, Sandico, Judy Lynn, Tillah,
Maria Monica, Tongco, Khatyana Lauren, Senior High School, Cebu Doctors’ University,
Mandaue City, Cebu, 09235355258/09195255013

Purpose and Background. This is designed to determine the relation of socio-civil family
status of Cebu Doctors’ University’s senior high school students of A.Y. 2017-2018 and
their perception to divorce

Procedures. If I agree to participate, the following things will happen:

1. I will be asked to answer a questionnaire that asks the socio-civil family status of my
parents and measure in way of a Likert scale my perception/stand to divorce.
2. I am inclined to answer the questions with all honesty.

Benefits. My test results will help determine if my socio-civil family status influences my
perception to divorce, and will know the level of relationship.

Risk. I understand that this study will not pose any direct risk towards me.

Reimbursements. I am aware that I will not receive any compensation in any form for my
participation in this study.

Confidentiality. All information obtained in this study will be considered confidential and
used only for research purposes. My identity will be kept confidential as well.

____________________________
Participant’s Name and Signature

____________________________
Date Signed
 54

APPENDIX C

THE RELATION OF SOCIO-CIVIL FAMILY STATUS OF CEBU DOCTORS’

UNIVERSITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR PERCEPTION TO

DIVORCE, ACADEMIC YEAR 2017-2018

Name (optional): _______________________________ ID Number: _________

Directions: Check the line/column that corresponds to your answer.

 Sex: __MALE __ FEMALE

 Socio-civil Status of Biological Parents (regardless of legality of union or distance

apart):

__ Together (Married/Committed) __Separated (Annulled/Broken-Up)

 What is your perception or stand on divorce?

1 2 3 4 5

• 1 = Strongly disagree • 2 = Disagree • 3 = Neutral • 4 = Agree • 5 = Strongly agree

 How influential is your socio-civil family status to your perception on divorce?

1 2 3 4 5

• 1 = Very Influential • 2 = Influential • 3 = Neutral • 4 = Not So Influential • 5 = Not Influential

 55

APPENDIX D

TIMETABLE OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Research June July August September October

Activities 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

Signing of

research

mentor

Screening &

approval of

research title

Approval of

First Draft

Sample Size

Instrument

Evaluation &

advice

statistical

treatment

Ethical review

Submission of

Final Proposal

Presentation of

proposal &
 56

approval of

study

Implementation

Statistical

analysis

Submission of

final manuscript

Oral defense of

the finished

report & the

final revision of

paper

Submission of

softbound copy

& publication

papers
 57

APPENDIX E

DOCUMENTATION

Research Proposal Making in Preparation for Research Proposal Hearing

Data Gathering through Distribution of Survey Questionnaires

 58

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name : Levie Boy C. Enriquez

Contact No. : 09228209983

E-mail Address : elevz@ymail.com

Date of Birth : February 13, 2000

Place of Birth : Cebu City, Philippines

Civil Status : Single

Religion : Roman Catholic

Languages : Filipino, English, Cebuano

Educational Background

Senior High School : Cebu Doctors’ University

North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Junior High School : Cebu Mary Immaculate College

Borbajo St., Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines

Elementary : Cebu Mary Immaculate College

Borbajo St., Talamban, Cebu City, Philippines

Primary : Gopher Wood Learning Center

Bacayan, Cebu City, Philippines

 59

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name : Lloyd Emmanuel S. Oliva

Contact No. : 09195255013

E-mail Address : lloydemmanoliva@yahoo.com

Date of Birth : December 25, 1998

Place of Birth : Cebu City, Philippines

Civil Status : Single

Religion : Roman Catholic

Languages : Filipino, English, Cebuano

Educational Background

Senior High School : Cebu Doctors’ University

North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Junior High School : University of San Carlos Basic Education Department –

South Campus

J. Alcantara Street, Cebu City, Philippines

Elementary : Silvino Y. Du, Sr. Memorial School, Inc.

Balintawak, Bantigue, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

Primary : Silvino Y. Du, Sr. Memorial School, Inc.

Balintawak, Bantigue, Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

 60

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name : Judy Lynn Z. Sandico

Contact No. : 09326986237

E-mail Address : sandicolynn@gmail.com

Date of Birth : December 24, 1999

Place of Birth : Cebu City, Philippines

Civil Status : Single

Religion : Roman Catholic

Languages : Filipino, English, Cebuano, Ilonggo

Educational Background

Senior High School : Cebu Doctors’ University

North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Junior High School : St. Joseph’s School of Mactan

Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Elementary : St. Joseph’s School of Mactan

Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Primary : Holy Infant Pre-School

Camella Homes, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

 61

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name : Maria Monica Tillah

Contact No. : 09235355258

E-mail Address : monica.tillah@yahoo.com

Date of Birth : February 26, 1999

Place of Birth : Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines

Civil Status : Single

Religion : Islam

Languages : Filipino, English, Cebuano

Educational Background

Senior High School : Cebu Doctors’ University

North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Junior High School : St. Joseph’s School of Mactan

Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines

Elementary : San Roque Child Development Center

Cordova, Cebu, Philippines

Primary : Casa Del Bambino School

Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines

 62

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name : Khatyana Lauren Tongco

Contact No. : 09955863881

E-mail Address : khatyanat@gmail.com

Date of Birth : November 27, 1999

Place of Birth : Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Civil Status : Single

Religion : Born-again Christian

Languages : Filipino, English, Cebuano

Educational Background

Senior High School : Cebu Doctors’ University

North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Junior High School : St. Joseph’s Academy

Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Elementary : St. Joseph’s Academy

Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Primary : Little Dominic Learning Center

Guizo, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines