Status : Verified
| Personal Name | Tugadi, Princess Jazzmine |
|---|---|
| Resource Title | Ayaw ko Maging Nanay: Experiences of Filipino Voluntary Childless Women |
| Date Issued | May 2025 |
| Abstract | The motherhood mandate imposes an expectation on women to become mothers — not just mothers, but good mothers at the very least. While some pursue motherhood either by this imposition or by choice, some opt to remain childfree. Voluntary childlessness empowers women and gives them the freedom to determine and pursue their aspirations and shape their own future and identities beyond the motherhood mandate (Panggabean, 2014). This study contributes to our understanding of voluntary childlessness in the Philippines. It explores the experiences of twenty (20) Filipino voluntary childless (VC) women, using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis revealed five (5) key themes: (1) realization of choice; (2) motivations toward voluntary childlessness; (3) relationships and status in society; (4) present and future as VC women; and (5) redefinition of womanhood. To some extent, voluntary childlessness serves as a critique of the motherhood expectations embedded in the family and society. As VC women reflect on the motivations behind their rejection of motherhood, they recognize the burdens and pressures of being a mother, that is sustained by the unequal sexual division of labor and the ideologies surrounding motherhood. This study surfaces the experiences of Filipino VC women toward the reduction of stigma and discrimination against them and the inclusion of their needs and interests in social policies and services. It recommends the incorporation of voluntary childlessness in the study of demographic shifts, family relations, economic productivity, and promotion of social justice, among others. |
| Degree Course | Master of Arts in Women and Development |
| Language | English |
| Keyword | Nanay; Experiences of Filipino Voluntary Childless Women |
| Material Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Preliminary Pages
252.91 Kb
Category : F - Regular work, i.e., it has no patentable invention or creation, the author does not wish for personal publication, there is no confidential information.
Access Permission : Open Access