BAHAY LANSANGAN: A Descriptive Study of Filipino Youth Homelessness in Ermita, Manila

Abstract

This study utilizes a grounded theory approach to generate a substantive theory on the process of the Filipino youth homelessness. The participants of this study, derived through purposive snowball sampling and theoretical sampling, are 26 homeless youth residing in Ermita, Manila. Line-by-line analysis of semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions reveals seven major themes concerning the youth homelessness phenomenon namely: the concept of home and homelessness, factors that lead to homelessness, issues and problems involved in homelessness, impact of homelessness, strategies and coping mechanisms of the homeless, existing support systems, programs and policies in relation to homelessness and program and policy implications. The generated theory holds that the youth homelessness phenomenon undergoes six distinct stages. The process starts with the factors that led the youth to become homeless, which includes economic, sociocultural and environmental conditions. As they enter into the streets, they are exposed to the culture of homelessness. This is followed by their struggle for survival as they face issues and problems that can be categorized basically on the level of satisfaction of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These have significant effects on the participants in the physical, psychological, economic, social and cultural aspects. Participants learn to cope through individual coping mechanisms and external interventions. However, the existing support systems, programs and policies implemented were not adequate for the homeless youth to live a good and normal life. These imply a need for easy access to resources. This study concludes that the homeless people, despite the fact that they lack a physically-structured home, have their own perceptions of a home. The concept of “home” for the Filipino homeless youth is not confined on the economic aspect alone. It can also be understood through the psychological, anthropological and sociological perspectives. Recommendations are made to conduct a study among rural populations and some of the areas of the urban population. The methods can also be modified to include the quantitative aspect. Incorporating them could provide more substantive results and a more precise analysis, thus, giving a comprehensive perspective on the homelessness phenomenon in general.