Issues Concerning Women and Children

A. Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is usually associated with intimate relationship,
including the ones between husband and wife and other categories of romantic
relationships. According to Pence and Paymar (1996) and Mullender and
Humphreys (1998), domestic violence is characterized by actions which fall into the
domain of different kinds of abuse including physical, emotional and sexual.
Intimidating actions, belittling and threatening also constitute domestic violence.
Domestic violence is often associated with abusive actions performed by men
against the women, but there have been instance of men being subjected to
domestic violence in abusive relationships as well. Domestic violence can also
occur among couples belonging to the same sex. Power and Control issues form
one of the most important dimensions of domestic violence and the purpose of the
abusive actions is often to apprise one of the partners of the authority of the other.
Domestic violence is a primary manifestation of the exercise of control from one
party.
Domestic Violence as a social issue:
Now that the definition of the domestic violence is clear, it is important to
understand and highlight domestic violence as a problem that is more social in
nature as personal. With the levels that domestic violence has propagated to in our
society, it has emerged into a societal attitude. The perception in the society about
women being the 'weaker sex' has a lot to do with the mounting levels of domestic
violence among women. It is a known fact that in romantic relationships, women are
not always the ones experiencing violence but historical statistics show that the
predominant sex who experience violence are usually the women. Also, the violence
carried out by men against their partners is far more damaging in its intensity as
compared to that carried out by women. Domestic violence is not something that is
a characteristic of a specific relationship; rather it is something is often passes down
from one generation to another. When children view violence as being a part of their
parents' relationships, they often grow up to be abusers themselves and start

viewing domestic violence as a practice that is acceptable. Because of these

reasons, it is important that we view domestic violence as a social evil and steps
should be taken accordingly for the eradication of this practice.
Conflict Theory and Domestic Violence:
Conflict theory is one of the most apt sociological constructs that can be
used for understanding not only domestic violence, but other conflicting situations
like war and poverty. According to the conflict theory, the society that we live in is in
a constant state of conflict, because of resources that are limited in nature and
people who have resources and people who do not have resources.
If we view a marriage as a social situation, the conflicts in this situation
instantly become understandable. There are different resources like talent, money, a
good job or a reputation that a person in a marriage might or might not have. Not
having a certain resources often generates a sense of inferiority complex and a
subsequent sense of conflict. When the conflict becomes intensified, it then leads to
abusive behavior on the part of one of the partners or domestic violence. Very often,
conflict arises in a relationship simply because one of the partners has more money
than the other, or has a better job than the other. In order to make up for one's hurt
ego, the partner often resorts to violence.
Sometimes, domestic violence also arises because of the need of the one
of the partners to feel more in control. The conflict is generated by one of the
partners who need to feel more in control. In order to show that sense of authority to
the other person, one of the partners usually physically or sexually abuses the other
person.
To avoid such instances of domestic violence it is important that the
conflicts are kept to a minimum level and are resolved at the lowest possible level. If
the conflicts start intensifying, violence starts erupting in relationships, not only
affecting the people who are in an abusive relationship, but those around them as
well.
Types of Domestic Violence:

1. Physical Abuse
2. Emotional Abuse
3.Isolation

4.Intimidation
5.Economic Abuse
6. Sexual Abuse

Causes of Domestic Violence:

1. Environment
2. Drug and alcohol

3.Misuse of power
4. Sexual jealousy and possessiveness

Effects on Domestic Violence

1. Low self-esteem
2.Depression
Statistics on Domestic Violence:
1. One of four women (25%) has experienced domestic violence.
2. Estimates range from 960,000 incidents of violence against a current or former
spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend to 3 million women who are physically abused by their
husband or boyfriend per year.
3. Women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence, men for
approximately 15%.
Law on Domestic Violence:
As described by the Supreme Court, RA 9262 is a piece of landmark

3.Suicide
4. Sleep disruption
5. Inability to trust
in a business or social context cannot be considered as a dating relationship.
Sexual relations is then defined as a single sexual act which may or may not result
in the bearing of a common child.
Violence is broadly defined to include physical, sexual, psychological or
economic kind. Physical violence is covered, whether it is actual, attempted,
threatened or even just placing the woman in fear of the same. Sexual abuse is
covered, and it includes acts from rape to making demeaning and sexually
suggestive remarks. Psychological abuse could be any act or omission that causes

legislation. It was enacted on March 8, 2004 and became effective on March 27 of

or likely to cause the mental or emotional suffering of the victim, while economic

the same year. Its full title is The Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children

abuse refers to acts that make or attempt to make a woman financially dependent.

Act of 2004. R.A. 9262 is a special law that defines acts of violence against women

All these are remedied and prevented by the issuance of protection orders and may

and their children, or VAWC; penalizes such acts; and provides protective

be issued by the court or the Punong Barangay.

measures and remedies. Brought about by the undeniable need for a law to protect
women and children from domestic violence, and supported by the advocacy of
concerned womens groups, Congress enacted the said law, with the aim of giving
women more than a fighting chance in seeking redress in a legal system that was
still replete with the patriarchal influence of the past.
R.A. 9262 provides swift temporary remedies and broad permanent ones.
Covered by this law are women who are wives or former wives of the offender,
those who have or have had a sexual or dating relationship with the offender, or
those who have a common child with the offender. Of course, as the title of the law
suggests, it also protects the children of these women, whether legitimate or
illegitimate.
The coverage of this law is quite expansive. Other than the wife and ex-

B. Gender Inequality
Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals
based on their gender. It arises from differences in socially constructed gender
roles as well as biologically through chromosomes, brain structure, and hormonal
differences.[1] Gender systems are often dichotomous and hierarchical; gender
binary systems may reflect the inequalities that manifest in numerous dimensions of
daily life. Gender inequality stems from distinctions, whether empirically grounded or
socially constructed.
Sexuality has been evoked in multiple ways in the study of gender inequality. Some have considered it as a possible motivating cause for inequality, others have explored how gender inequality can mold the experience and practice of
sexuality, and others have tried to theoretically incorporate sexuality as a peculiar
tension between women and men that mediates both the causes and effects of gender inequality. Essentially, everyone recognizes sexuality is critically important to
gender inequality, but we lack agreement or clarity on how it matters.

wife, this law also covers those who, although not married, have had dating
relationships. This type of relationship is described in R.A. 9262 as the protected
woman and another person being romantically involved over time and on a
continuing basis during the course of the relationship. R.A. 9262 expressly
excludes, a casual acquaintance or ordinary socialization between two individuals

How Has The Economy Influenced Men's And Women's Positions In Society?
Analyses of gender inequality attribute great importance to the economy.
Gender inequality appears everywhere embedded in economic inequality, in the
sense that a critical aspect of gender inequality involves unequal access to economic resources and positions. This relationship becomes clearer in more "ad-

vanced" societies where economic organization has become institutionally differenti- Causes of Child Labor:
ated from kinship and political organization. Sometimes this unequal economic ac- Over exploitation of population
Decrease of resources
cess is understood as an expression of gender inequality, sometimes a cause of
Increase of poverty
gender inequality, sometimes a result. Many analyses consider it all three.
Increase of unemployment
Lack of schooling and daily care (POOR QUALITY OF EDUCATION)
C. Child Labor
Limited choices for women
Definition of related terms:
Parents influence
Children- all persons under eighteen years of age or those over but are Can be easily lured and dominated
unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, Lack of awareness for their rights
neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or
The major reason for exploitation is the fragile situation of children if they dont work they will starve.
mental disability or condition (R.A 7610)
Child Labor Statistics:
Child labor- any work or economic activity performed by a child that
One in every six children aged 5 to 17 worldwide is exploited by child labor.
subjects him/her to any form of exploitation or is harmful to his/her health The 2011 Survey on Children conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that out of the
and safety or physical, mental or psychosocial development. (ILO
29.019 million Filipino children aged 5-17 years old, about 18.9 percent or 5.59 million, were already
Convention 182)
working.
This is higher than the 4 million Filipino working children registered in a 2001 survey conducted by the ILO
Worst Forms of Child Labor (R.A 9231 Sec. 3)
and the US Department of Labor.
Of those 5.59 million children at work, 3.028 million were considered as child laborers and 2.993 million
a. all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as sale and were reported to be exposed to hazardous child labor.
The regions which had the highest incidence of child labor were Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas,
trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or
compulsory labor, including recruitment of children for use in armed Northern Mindanao, and Central Visayas, the survey showed.
conflict
b. use, procuring, offering or exposing of a child for prostitution, for the
Related Laws
production of pornography, or for pornographic performances
1. REPUBLIC ACT 7610
c. use, procuring, or offering of a child for illegal or illicit activities,
"Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and
including the production and trafficking of dangerous drugs and
Discrimination Act."
volatile substances prohibited under existing laws
An act providing for stronger deterrence and special protection
d. work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried
against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, and for other
out, is hazardous or likely to be harmful to the health, safety or
purposes
morals of children
2. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9231
An Act Providing For The Elimination Of The Worst Forms Of Child
Hazardous Work-work that debases, degrades, or demeans the intrinsic
Labor And Affording Stronger Protection For The Working Child
worth and dignity of a child as a human being
Amending For This Purpose Republic Act No. 7610
Child Work- work allowed or permitted to be performed by a child under
R.A 7610 Section 12: It shall be the policy of the State to protect
certain conditions
and rehabilitate children gravely threatened or endangered by
Working children-are children allowed to work, but not in child labor or in
hazardous economic activity
circumstances which affect or will affect their survival and normal
Incidence of working children
development and over which they have no control.
- proportion of working children to the total children population
Section 2: A child may engage in work When a child works directly
-also called economic activity rate
under the sole responsibility of his/her parents or legal guardian and
Incidence of child labor
where only members of his/her family are employed
- proportion of children in child labor to the total children population
3. REPUBLIC ACT 7658
- child labor rate

An act prohibiting the employment of children below 15 years of age

in public and private undertakings
Amending for this purpose section 12, article viii of R.A 7610
Section 1: General Prohibition. - Except as otherwise provided in this
Rules, children below 15 years of age shall not be employed,
permitted or suffered to work, in any public or private establishments
in the Philippines.

4.

D. Child Prostitution
Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual relations in
exchange for payment or some other benefit.
In the Philippines, prostitution is illegal, but widely prevalent. Penalties
range up to life imprisonment for those involved in trafficking, which is covered by
the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.Prostitution is often available through
bars, karaoke bars, massage parlors, brothels (also known as casa), street walkers,
and escort services.
In 2013 it was estimated that there were up to 500,000 prostitutes in the
Philippines.

1.
2.

Child prostitution

It is a term for children working as prostitutes.

They are children who get paid to have sex. Sometimes, the children do not get paid
with money, but they are given other things in exchange for having sex such as toys.
It is considered as child prostitution if the person is under the legal age which is 18
years old.
In most cases, it is not the child who makes money from the prostitution, but another
person. This is either a pimp, or someone who directly abuses the child. This person
will make a deal directly with the child to get sexual gratification.

Reason why choose children instead of adults?

1.
2.

It is easier to abuse a child than an adult.

Children are less able to defend themselves.

Causes of Child Prostitution

1.
2.
3.

Poverty- Parents often feel obligated to sell their children to pimps because their low
salary does not allow them to meet the needs of their family.
Money- Prostitution is a very lucrative activity compared to local salaries.
Orphans- Prostitution becomes a way to survive because the activity is extremely
profitable compared to other forms of degrading or dangerous work.

5.

Child Trafficking- Numerous children are kidnapped each year across the world and
are integrated into prostitution networks against their will.
The rise of sex market- The sex industry has been industrialized and diffused by
new methods of communication. The rise and normalization of pornography in
particular has contributed to the development of prostitution.

Profits of prostitution

3.

Sex Tourism- is travel to engage in sexual activity with prostitutes.

Pimps and Organized Crime- prostituted children are under the control of pimps,
who earn a percentage of the childs revenues.
Intermediary- Also considered to be intermediaries are recruiters, transporters,
owners of brothels and taxi drivers, not to mention policemen who will all too often
close their eyes to this curse.

Consequences for the Child

1.

3.

Access to Service- Prostitutes are rejected by their relatives and marginalized by

society, they have little access to healthcare and suffer extremely unhygienic
conditions.
The spread of AIDS- Prostitution promotes the spread of HIV since numerous clients
refuse to have protected sexual encounters with a child.
Physical and Psychological illness- On a physical level, the damage to children
includes vaginal tearing, physical after-effects of torture, pain, infection, or unwanted
pregnancy. On a psychological level, the child can also show many symptoms, such
as depression, personality or sexual orientation confusion, problems with behavior
(aggressiveness or anger), trouble sleeping, and loss of self-confidence, mistrust or
hatred towards adults.

E.

Song Analysis

2.

In the first song entitled Magdalena composed and sung by Freddie

Aguilar is about the young girl, that because of poverty and her hard situation and
lack of education, she wanted to make a decision to go and work in a bar and
sacrifice her body and sells it doing something in order to provide a living for her
family. Also her family is the cause why she decided to put herself in that situation.
In the second song entitled Sirena composed by Aristotle also known as
Gloc-9. This song is all about a guy who knows that hes gay. The preview in this
song is how the gay showed his feelingsand how he gets brawl by his own father
because of his chosen gender and try to get back on his real gender.