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.
