Spirituality of the Filipino Youth as Gleaned from Their Experiences of Having Absentee-Fathers: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study aims to capture the essence of spirituality of the youth from the lens of their experiences of having absentee-fathers. Utilizing the purposive sampling method, the researcher worked with 14 male and female adolescents whose ages ranged from 15 to 18 years old, who were residents in the Metro Manila area, namely Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Quezon City, who have been separated from their OFW (overseas Filipino worker) father for 10 years or more, and who were 0 to 5 years old when their respective fathers left for work. Data were gathered from in-depth interviews. Text data were content-analyzed and recorded in the Repertory Grid for the significant statements, categories and the themes that emerged from the experiences of the participants. The four themes that emerged were: experience of love, sense of purpose in life, altruism manifested, and inner strength/power to overcome difficulties.