"Young Filipinos are not passive recipients of barkada and media influence," says Dr. Michael L. Tan of the University of the Philippines and a consultant for the Third Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS-3), a large nationwide survey now being conducted by UP Population Institute and the Demographic Research and Development Foundation.
"Young Filipinos," Tan explains, "are looking for role models and positive messages, a moral compass so to speak." Unfortunately, these models and messages are often absent, leaving the young to drift around without direction and sometimes ending up more confused with the conflicting images coming from media.
These results came out from the focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted by the Health Action Information Network as part of the preparations for YAFS-3. The FGDs were conducted in 7 cities and towns in the country, among males and females aged 15 to 24.
Tan says the religious influence comes mainly in terms of what is forbidden, rather than ethical guidelines that discuss fairness, justice and responsibility. An example comes with the continuing emphasis on female virginity, which emphasizes female subservience to males, "She keeps her virginity as a gift for the man". This emphasis diverts people's attention way from more important values of sexual responsibility.
Many young people are not aware of the Catholic church's stand on family planning. All the males in one focus group discussion, for example, said the use of condoms is all right but considered pills and IUD as sinful.
The FGDs, Tan said, also show many continuing myths and misconceptions about sexual matters, as well as about other risk activities, particularly drugs. Masturbation, for example, was seen by some FGD participants as sinful because sperm was equated with life.
There were many reasons given for drug use, including to pass time, problems at home, as well as to lose weight and "to get sexy". Both males and females think drugs can counter sleepiness and improve appetite. Cigarettes and alcohol are not seen as drugs since these are "legal".
Many young people talk about following one's conscience. They do reason and rationalize, often with economic realities in mind. Many support family planning as acts of responsibility. Living in is also sometimes seen as acceptable but only because it is expensive to have a wedding ceremony.
The young are cynical about authority structures and this affects the effectiveness of various programs. The drug problem was seen as insurmountable because the police are behind the drug trade. Movie celebrities are not seen as credible for messages on sexual responsibility since they are seen as having many problems themselves (maraming asawa, maraming anak or "many partners, many children").
Tan pointed out that Rico Yan was a rare exception and that the outpouring of grief during his death may in fact reflect the lack of role models for the young.
Ultimately, Tan says, families, faith-based groups, schools, media and government must decide if they are going to help "break the mold". The young will do this, he says, with or without us, with or without our moral compasses.
