B.A.T.A - Bahay, Aklat, Tira-tira, Alunignig: understanding poverty through the eyes of a child and on how it affects them psychologically, socially and emotionally

Abstract

This paper unravels the conditions of the less fortunate families moreover on how poverty affects the children in the areas chosen by the researcher; Smokey Mountain and Payatas. Places as such are deem to be barren, destitute, and hopeless for most people. Analyzed and interviewed 30 children, 15 from each area regarding their current situation and on how these affects them emotionally, psychologically, physically and socially. Eminent variables such as education, income, environmental backgrounds, and food poverty are used to dissect the real meaning of how it is to live in these places. These variables are then correlated to their physical, social and psychological aspects of the children; whether there are posing positive or negative threats to their development. An ethnographic and first hand approach was used by the researcher, further establishing rapport then building a stable connection with the interviewees. Nevertheless, the researcher observed more negative feedbacks from the maladies in their society. The role of this paper then is to serve as a mind and eye opener to people oblivious of the children's current situation. With the hopes of provoking the government into making further implementations and actions for the betterment of the children and their families lives.