A Qualitative Study on the Ways Parents Deal with the Reproductive Health Issues of their Generation Z Children

Abstract

We all know that parents play a vital role in a child's life. They act as their chefs, nurses, guidance counselors, and even their first teachers. As the days grow colder and as different generations pass by, the perspective of people alters. Some say that the elderly ones, parents included, are the more conservative ones and children, like us, or as called the Generation Z, are more open and liberal. And that's what captured our minds. Several studies were alike or related to ours, but most of them were on a child's perspective. To have a different set of eyes, the researchers focused on the parents' point of view. In methodology, we used semi-structured interviews to gather the source of data. The number of participants gathered were 9 in total and met our criteria wherein they should be single or blended Catholic Filipino parents who are part of the lower, middle, and upper-class social standing and have lived for more than 5 years within the specific barangays of Metro Manila, Philippines and have a Generation Z child/ren with ages ranging from 15 to 22 years old. The interviews took place on September 19-24, 2018, and were recorded and audiotaped with phones and then transcribed not to miss any details. Parents' approach and strategies when talking about reproductive health: They initiate the topic whenever news related is brought about; asking the other parent to talk about it; Readiness of the child; and inviting the child's peers. Difficulties encountered by parents: Aren't aware/comfortable talking about RH; don't know how to start the conversation; Lack of knowledge and time; Mind-set; and Status of family. The RH topics that are discussed and not discussed by parents are the following: Experience within the family; Peer relationships; Education of their child; Actions are done by their child; Morals and values; and Topic were too personal and sensitive. Importance of parents' guidance towards gen z's RH: To be updated; to ensure their child's future and safety; For their child to know the consequences of their actions; To know what's right and wrong. Most parents have difficulties and strategies for approaching reproductive health as a topic. There are topics that are related to RH that informants are able to lay out to their child/ren. Some parents don't talk about it but still advise on the Topic. Parents should avoid difficulties when talking about RHI and develop effective strategies that may help them and have an open-relationship with their children. Health organizations should consider seminars for parents and generation Z to spread awareness. Future researchers should consider triangulation to support the results and state more examples about the Topic to have a rich context and data.