Puzzled reflections: a descriptive study on the self-concept of children born out-of-wedlock.

Abstract

The family has always been a complex institution. Over the years, it has taken on different forms and structures, thus making it hard for one to define it. Being the institution where a person first experiences how it is to be a member of a group, the family is essential to one’s understanding of how it feels like to belong and be accepted. But in the case of children born out-of-wedlock, a family would mean one parent (usually the mother) and an extension involving other relatives or step parents/step siblings. This study provides a description of the self-concept of children born out-of-wedlock as affected by their interpersonal relationships and their perception of discrimination. Also, the study seeks to find out how illegitimacy is viewed by children born out-of-wedlock.

As individuals, children born out-of-wedlock described themselves in positive abstract traits. As friends, most participants seek to care for and be taken care of. In terms of being a family member, the child born out-of-wedlock is an extremely caring and protective son/daughter to the present biological parent; cold and indifferent to the missing parent; hostile and jealous but would eventually adjust to the stepparent; detached half sibling, and; close and protective full siblings. Children born out-of-wedlock appear to be faithful and sweet lovers who seek maturity from their partners. Their perception of illegitimacy ranges from being positive to being negative. But however they view it, they use it to find their place in this world and prove that they can succeed in breaking stereotypes.

The findings of this study contribute to a more informed understanding on the issue of illegitimacy. It is relevant to researchers as there is scarcity of data and related studies on the first-hand experience of this group of children. The results of the study may provide directions of future research.