Ako Si Tatay, Ang Taong-bahay” : Self-worth among Househusbands in Dasmariñas City, Cavite

Abstract

This research dealt with the issue of househusbands or fathers who primarily do child rearing and household keeping duties. The main objective was to determine and explain how househusbands view their self-worth. This study also answered these specific objectives: (1) describe the socio-demographic profile of househusbands, (2) identify reasons behind the househusband phenomenon, (3.1) measure association between househusbands’ self-worth and their socio-demographic characteristics (age, marital status, number of children, educational attainment, family income), (3.2) between number of years as a househusband and self-worth, (3.3) between wives’ work setting (local or abroad) and self-worth, and (3.4) measure the difference between the association of sense of fulfillment and sense of masculinity to self-worth. Theories of Self-worth and Masculinity were used as frameworks of this study. The researcher utilized sequential explanatory design through survey and follow-up interviews. Self-developed, pretested survey questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were the instruments used. Through snowball sampling, the researcher was able to acquire 30 househusbands who satisfied the criteria: (1) unemployed, (2) with partners as breadwinners, (3) residing in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, (4) have at least one child living with them, (5) aged 18 and above. Six (6) of the respondents accepted the follow-up interview invite. The findings of the study are as follows: househusbands perceive their self-worth positively. Consequently, (1) househusbands are mostly 39-50 years old (60%), married (87%) to wives working locally (53%), and have 3-5 children (53%). Reasons for becoming a househusband are (2) either by chance (economic instability) or by choice (high recognition of parental care for children). (3.1) There was no statistical association between the respondents’ socio-economic characteristics and their self-worth. (3.2) Househusbands’ wife work setting (3.3) and number of years as a househusband also did not have associations with self-worth. (3.4) Sense of fulfillment affected the househusbands’ self-worth more.