Low Standard of Living in the Philippines

source: http://www.philippinechildrensfoundation.org/socialcultureissues.shtml#top

          Many of those living near or below the poverty line in the Philippines experience constant hardship, suffering, and oppression. Most of them remain homeless and without jobs. Even those who receive small paychecks or wages cannot sustain their families with such meager incomes.

One of the factors that greatly influence such low standards of living and sustenance is very poor self-esteem. Because of their state of life, they tend to harbor derogatory feelings of inferiority. They see themselves at the whim of wealthier people and at the mercy of those who drive society. Thus, what results is poor motivation to try to work harder. They have resigned themselves to their lifestyles and intend to just live their lives like slaves.

          This factor cycles into limited freedom because of poverty. Their state of life prevents them from escaping societal evils such as oppression and abuse, especially from the upper classes. They remain powerless without any voice in matters that run their lives. They are their own slaves to their lack of confidence and motivation. They are imprisoned in economic and material hardship.

          Aside from being born into poverty, there are other elements that keep a person under that dreaded poverty line. One of the most important of these is poor education. The lack of sufficient academic foundations and work experience brings about the inability to perform higher-paying jobs. This relegates the poor to the level of unskilled laborers who find themselves in the simplest and lowest-paying jobs around.

Another major contributor to a low standard of living is the poor state of health that many of the poor experience. Ailing workers lack motivation, they have little discipline in them to enable them to tackle more complicated areas of work or longer shifts. This not only turns out progressively unskilled laborers, but also hampers quality production.

The poor also lack knowledge in family planning. They believe that the more children they have, the more they can send them to be victims of child labor and earn income for the family. They abuse their kids to earn more and turn a blind eye to the rights of the child. It is very common sight in the Philippines. Parents with notions that the child will study hard, and one day lift his or her parents from poverty. All of this backfires because the labor supply continues to shoots up. This brings down the price of labor and allows huge capitalist organizations to take advantage of cheap labor. In most cases, it leads to abuse and neglect.

          Another one of the major causes of poverty are low savings. These, in turn, equate to low investments. The poor seldom have enough finances to bring into existence even a little business of their own. They are often placed under the iron fists of unfair employers who fail to take into account the welfare of their workers.

reaction:

          Since I came from the province, the place which is mostly comprised by some people who has a low standard of living I can say it is true. It happens in the reality, seeing those other children who has no place to stay and cannot even eat normal food as what a normal human eats and the way they dress. Other people who cannot relate of their situation often says that they are the ones who are responsible for that low standard of living because they are lazy, but can’t we see the real issue or the reason that poor people still exist?

          I really felt so much down and depressed when I saw some kids roaming around on streets. We often say that it is okay because they can bear that kind of life, because they are good at that kind living or its the irony of life that it is us who is just good at ignoring their call for help? I know I am still a student and I cannot afford to give those street kids a better future but how about the government? It annoys me to see how our government pretend as blind in this matter. They just ignore it and made it as a normal thing in our nation.  It’s just we must ignore it because it happens everyday but really it’s the result of a poor leading in our country. Those who are in the positions are getting richer and those poor people get poorer. 

          Sometimes when I think of it, my conscience is bothering me. Aside from this good life I have, there are children who suffers a lot and chilling outside when the pouring rain comes and when I think of it, I can say that they are also worthy for this kind of living. Every child has a right to feel loved and feel what a young person is; carefree and fun. It is not their fault why they are born to be a poor person. I really pity them. Those street kids are also prone to the bad behaviours of the outside word. Prohibited drugs, liquors and cigarettes are taken at a very young age. This results a poor state of health that many of the poor experience. Maybe, in the long run they can also be the future murderers and lunatic drug addicts in this society and it depicts our future. 

What will happen to the world full of criminals and unhealthy people? It is also the cause of the low economy of our country because it was linked to many factors in our economy like unemployment and recession. So the government must prevent this idea for the security of the future. Way back then, after reading those articles regarding on social and cultural issues in the Philippines, I realized so many things that touched me in ways. I hope and pray that may the future can still offer us abundance and peaceful life.