Marriage

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement Chapter One – The Problem and Its Scope Introduction 2 Statement of the Problem 4 Review of Related Literature 5 Significance of the Study 7 Scope and Limitation 9 Definition of Terms 10 Organization of the Study 12 Chapter Two – Research Design and Methodology Research Method 14 Research Instrument 14 Research Environment 14 Research Subject 15 Research Procedure 16 Statistical Treatment of the Data 17 Chapter Three – Presentation, Interpretation and Analysis of Data 18 Chapter Four – Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations Summary 43 Conclusion 45 Recommendations 47 Bibliography 50

Appendices Appendix A – Letters Appendix B – Sample Questionnaires Appendix C – Pictures Appendix D – Respondent’s Directory Introduction Marriage, a legally recognized relationship, established by a civil or religious ceremony, between two people who intend to live together as sexual and domestic partners. The joining together in wedlock of two people, something which supposed to be and should be considered sacred as well as wonderful. It is a in which commitment two people are bound to one another and are obligated to promise to one another that they love, care and be loyal to each other through all times.

A beautiful thing…yet sadly some people do it out of what benefits they might receive from it, may it be money, fame or any other superficial thing in this world. But there are times that these people do it out of need. This brings us to talk about interracial marriages. Interracial marriages, though in the past had been considered taboo, aren’t rare sites anymore, may it be in the Philippines or other parts of the world. However, just because now it isn’t forbidden by the law (as there was a time when there was a law made against it), it doesn’t mean that all of us give the go signal.

Interracial marriages will most likely create various outcomes. These effects will not only affect the family members and friends of the spouses, they can also affect other individuals of the community. They could even affect the whole society especially now these days where there are studies which show that there has been a rise in the percentage of these marriages. These Filipinos went into these marriages for different reasons, they could have done it for love or for the benefits that come with the spouse.

Now, the reason the researchers have selected to do this study is for them to learn what people really think about these marriages and what effects it could possibly bring about the Philippine Society. Hopefully this study will be able to help the Filipino people understand these interracial couples better and to prepare the Filipino people for what changes may be stimulated by these marriages, may they be good or bad. Statement of the Problem The researchers aim to find out what people think about interracial marriages and what possible effects these marriages could induce to the Philippine society.

They also aim to get the Filipino people ready for what alterations interracial marriages could create. While making the study, the researchers hope to answer the following questions: o Are interracial marriages still found unusual? o What are the factors that lead to interracial marriages? o How will these marriages affect the Philippine Society? Review of Related Literature In the Chronicle Online, there is an article there entitled “Interracial Relationships Are On The Increase In U. S. But Decline With Age, Cornell Study Finds” which talks about the increase in number of marriages between different kinds of races through the years. It also has findings that these relationships decline with age because the youngest age bracket ranked the highest among these relationships and the middle age bracket ranked second while the oldest age bracket ranked last. Despite the fact that these findings were based in the U. S. , it somehow gives the researchers an idea of how relationships between different races affected another country. From this article, they could already come up with a possible outcome.

In a 2003 study, once again based in the United States, by Kara Joyner (assistant professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell and co-author of a study on interracial relationships in a recent issue of the American Sociological Review) it was reported that adolescents in romances with another race were significantly less willing to reveal their relationship to family and close friends than those in same-race relationships, suggesting that such relationships still do not receive whole-hearted approval by society. The researchers could try to compare these findings to the results they are about to come across and see the difference.

In an article in The Freeman Magazine of October 2002 tells about a relationship of one Leyte-born Filipina, Theresa Mason nee Estafia, to British national, Chris Mason, which ended in marriage. This is proof that happy endings between two lovers of different races aren’t impossible. The book, Chinese American Intermarriage, is also a study based on the Chinese American experiences in New York City, focuses on the increase of these relationships, the attraction and the obstacles, of which the most significant is still family objection.

This book and the rest of these articles may be helpful to the researchers later on in the study especially when analyzing and interpreting the data. Significance of the Study Interracial relationships, marriages to be specific, aren’t as rare as they used to be in the Philippines. The researchers have arranged this study in order to find out what the Filipino people’s opinion on these kinds of marriages are since these marriages were once considered somehow taboo, and how Filipino people think these kinds of marriages could affect the Philippine society.

The researchers hope that by making this study, they could help the following: o People who plan to have an interracial marriage– They would know what effects they are most probably going to bring about to the Philippine Society and see if they are making the right decision marrying these foreigners. o Couples (interracial) – They will know what effects they are bringing about to the Philippine Society. They will also get an insight of what the Filipino people take their (the interracial couple’s) marriages for. Foreigners (with Filipino partners) – They will get an insight of what they are getting themselves into or have gotten themselves into. It will also help them speculate on their relationship, if it really is based on love or money. o Country – It will be prepared for the disadvantages these marriages could bring about and know how to handle these possible drawbacks. Scope and Limitation The researchers are to survey 100 selected residents of Cebu for their term paper.

The respondents play a vital role in the making of this term paper because their answers would serve as the key to unfolding this study. The term paper will deal with the opinions of selected Cebu Residents on interracial marriages between a Filipino citizen and a foreigner, and its effects to the Philippine Society. The researchers are given four weeks, more or less, to make this requirement. In creating the term paper, the researchers have allotted an amount of 400 pesos for purpose such as photo copying and other possible needs.

The researchers also need to have sources such as the internet, books, newspapers, encyclopedia or any other articles that would be able to help them gain more knowledge on interracial marriages and its possible effects to the Philippine Society by doing so, helping them come up with an effective study. Definition of Terms Benefits – money, to move out of the country, escaping a life of hardship/poverty Cebu residents – any Filipino who currently lives in the province of Cebu Effects – changes which can possibly be done

Filipino citizen/person – an individual who was born to Filipino parents and raised in the Philippines Foreigner – a person who was born to natives of countries other than the Philippines and raised in a country other than the Philippines Go Signal – approval Induce – bring about Interracial – between a Filipino and a foreigner Interracial Couples – a couple composed of a Filipino and a foreigner Interracial Marriage – a marriage of a Filipino Citizen to a foreigner Marriage – a legal union of two people through a ceremony called a wedding Partner – spouse/lover

Philippine Society – the people of the Philippines Respondents – the people selected to answer the survey Taboo – forbidden The Researchers – the people who have conducted the study (namely: Trysha Bautista, Kimberly Bouffard, Sherry Corominas, Eileen Cueno and Miles Semblante) Organization of the Study This term paper consists of four chapters. Each chapter contains contents which are vital to the researchers in order to help future readers understand the researchers study further.

The first chapter is the Problem and Its Scope; it contains the introduction, which more or less is a general summary of what the term paper is all about, the statement of the problem shows the aim or objective of the study through general statement questions, and the review of related literature is information/research about previous studies or projects made which are related to the study the researchers have made. The significance of the study states why the study is important, and to whom the study is important to.

In the scope and limitation, future readers will know what grounds the researchers can cover and what their certain restrictions are. The definition of terms will help future readers understand the terms the researchers have used in their study and how these words are used. Chapter two, the Research Design and Methodology, consists of the research methods, research instrument, and statistical treatment of the data. The research methods describe how the researchers gathered their data to come up with their output.

The research instrument tackles about the materials/instruments used to complete the study. The statistical treatment of data covers the numerical information in the study. The third chapter, the Presentation, Interpretation and Analysis of data, like the title itself, is just the researchers’ presentation, interpretation and analysis of their data. Chapter four is the Summary, Conclusion and Interpretation; it consists of the summary which is a sum-up and a review of the whole study, the conclusion which is the closing statement and the recommendation.

Research Method For the study on interracial marriages and its effects to the Philippine society, the researchers used a survey type in order to gain more knowledge on the said topic. With the use of questionnaires, the researchers are to learn more about what the residents of Cebu think about interracial marriages and how these marriages could affect the Philippine society. Research Instruments The main instrument that the researchers utilized for the purpose of this study was the questionnaire made up of 8 questions.

Computers, internet access, encyclopedias, books and some periodicals were also necessary in the making of this term paper. Research Environment The researchers made questionnaires which were distributed to selected Cebu residents living in these following areas: Tisa, Banilad, Banawa and Talisay. The researchers chose those areas because those areas of Cebu are most convenient for them, given that they live in the said areas and that the researchers believed that the residents in these areas would readily share their opinions on the topic and that they are exposed to these kinds of relationships.

The other half of respondents were randomly selected in Ayala Center Cebu because they had an idea that most foreigners were to be found there and they also wanted to know what regular people thought of their topic. Research Subject The researchers asked various respondents to answer the questionnaires they made for their survey. They selected people who they supposed were exposed to interracial marriages or any kind of interracial relationships because they believe these people could give them the knowledge they require in order for their study to be a success.

They also chose ordinary people at the mall because they wanted to get what regular people thought of the topic. They opted to let foreigners answer their questionnaires as well, as to see what these outsiders think about marriages of one of their kind to a Filipino. Research Procedure The researchers had brainstormed on possible topics that they might have for their term paper. They proposed their topics to their Social Studies III teacher and then she approved of the topic on interracial marriages and its effects to the society.

After which, they studied on whatever they could on the said topic which would help them formulate questions for their questionnaire. Once they have completed the creation of their questionnaire, they distributed 100 copies to various respondents and then collected them when they were completely answered. Then they recorded the data they gathered, made a graph out of it, interpreted and analyzed it, and made a conclusion out of it. Statistical Treatment of Data The study needs to be studied with complete accuracy so that their data may be analyzed and interpreted correctly.

In order to accomplish that, they used this formula: %= f/n * 100% f=frequency n=number of respondents/answers Question #1: Do you find it unusual seeing a Filipino together with a foreigner? Table #1 Respondents Opinion on Filipinos Being Together with Foreigners N= 100 |Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Yes |25 |25% |No |75 |75% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #1 [pic] Interpretation The table and graph above shows that 75 out of 100 or 75% of the respondents do not find it unusual seeing a Filipino together with a foreigner. On the other hand, 25 out of 100 or 25% of the respondents do find it unusual.

Analysis The results show that interracial relationships aren’t considered to be as scarce as they used to be in the past. Therefore, it is somewhat safe to say that interracial marriages aren’t considered as uncommon as well. It also goes to show that these days the Filipino people are exploring other cultures and they aren’t scared of criticism since one would easily spot an interracial couple in a public place, such as malls. Question #2: Why do you think they prefer to marry foreigners over fellow countrymen? Table #2

Respondents’ Opinion as to Why Some Filipinos Prefer to Marry Foreigners over Fellow Filipinos N= 141 |Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Because foreigners can provide a life of |65 |46% | |luxury for these Filipinos | | | |Because they want to move out of the |33 23% | |country | | | |They just happen to love them |21 |15% | |Because of Physical appearance |12 |9% | |Other |10 |7% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #2 [pic] Interpretation The figures above show that 46% think that some Filipinos choose to marry foreigners over fellow Filipinos because believe that these foreigners can provide them with a life of luxury. 23% assume that they do it because they want to move out of the country. There are 15% who feel that these Filipinos just happen to love their foreign partners.

There are also 9% who think that these Filipinos chose foreigners over Filipinos because of physical appearance. The last 7% have other reasons. Analysis Life and luxury takes the highest position to why people prefer to marry foreigners over fellow countrymen. This is maybe because of the situation the country is in now. It has also been found out from the research and gathered data that ‘wants’ are big priorities with this issue. In this survey, of the gathered data above, these marriages work out well because the couple can find beneficial things and they can adjust to the situation. Question #3: What do you think are the most probable reason for their marriages? Table #3 Respondents’ Opinion for the Most Probable Reason for Their Marriages N= 175 Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Love |20 |11% | |Money |39 |22% | |Convenience (to live in a good house, live |58 |24% | |a life of luxury) | | | |To get out of the country |30 |17% | |To have beautiful offspring |14 |8% | |Others |14 |8% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #3 [pic] Interpretation The data shows that 11% percent of them think that the reason is because of love. There 22% of them think that it is because of money. 24% is because of the convenience to live in a good house and to have a life of luxury.

There are 17% of them who thinks that it is because that the Filipinos could have the chance to get out of the country. There are also 8% of them who thinks that it is because they could have a beautiful offspring. The last 8% have other reasons. Analysis In the data the highest percentage is that of the convenience to live in a good house and to have a life of luxury. The second highest rate of percentage is money. With these two having the highest tallies, it makes a speculation as to what these marriages are really about, because it seems to be based more on money than on love. Question #4: What do you think are the Factors That Make Interracial Marriages Difficult? Table #4 Respondents’ Opinion on What Make Interracial Marriages Difficult N= 118 Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Money |22 |19% | |Cultural Differences |75 |63% | |Location of residence |19 |16% | |Others |2 |2% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #4 [pic]

Interpretation The data shows that there are 19% of them who think that it is because of money. 63% thinks that it is because of the cultural differences. 16% of the data shows that it is because of the location of residents. The last 2% percent have their own personal reasons. Analysis In the data the highest percentage is because of cultural differences. This shows that no matter how much you love each other, there will always be problems, and the problems that occur between these couples are cause by the fact that they were brought up in two different worlds. Question #5: What do you think the foreigners find in their Filipino partners? Table #5 Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Love |32 |27% | |Companionship |78 |67% | |Others |7 |6% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #5 [pic] Interpretation

The data shows that majority, 67% of our respondents think that it’s companionship that foreigners find in their Filipino partners, 27% thinks that it’s love, and the remaining 6%, on others. Analysis The data goes to show that majority think that these foreigners find companionship in their Filipino partners. And given the fact that Filipinos are very hospitable people, it really doesn’t seem such a surprise why they would choose Filipinos for companionship. Question #6: Do you think interracial marriages work out well? Table #6 Respondents’ Opinion on Whether or Not Interracial Marriages Work Out N= 100 |Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Yes |63 |63% |No |36 |36% | |It depends |1 |1% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #6 [pic] Interpretation The table and graph above show that 63 out of 100 of 63% of the respondents do believe that interracial marriages can work out. On the other hand 36% believe that these marriages will not last and 1% said that it would depend. Analysis This shows that majority think these marriages do work out while a few believe that they don’t. A very small minority says that it would just really depend. This gives the impression that maybe these marriages do work out given that majority suppose so as well. Question #6. 1: If YES Table #6. 1

Respondents’ Opinions as to Why Interracial Marriages Work Out Well N= 118 |Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Love conquers all |19 |46% | |If one finds something in the marriage |95 |81% | |beneficial, he/she will have to adjust to | | | |his/her spouse | | |Others |4 |3% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #6. 1 [pic] Interpretation The graph and table above show that 81% of the 63 who answered that interracial marriages will work out think that these marriages will work out most likely because if one finds something in the marriage beneficial, he/she will have to adjust to his/her spouse. 16% had the idea that love conquers all while 8% had other things in mind. Analysis This shows that most of the respondents think that these Filipinos and foreigners will adjust to their spouses if they find something in their marriage beneficial. A few think that love conquers all while the rest thought otherwise.

This goes to show that a lot of people think these marriages are based on convenience rather that love. However; despite that, these marriages will work for the reason that if they find something which could be of their advantage in the wedlock, they would just have to be flexible and understand each other. Question #6. 2: If NO Table #6. 1 Respondents’ Opinions as to Why Interracial Marriages Will Not Work Out Well N= 74 |Response |Frequency |Percentage | |They were brought up into different world, |29 |39% |they wouldn’t understand each other | | | |If the relationship isn’t based on love, it|42 |57% | |won’t last | | | |Others |3 |4% | | | |Total 100% | Graph #6. 2 [pic] Interpretation The data shows that 57% of the respondents who didn’t think interracial marriages work out had the idea that if the relationship wasn’t based on love in the first place, that relationship wouldn’t last.

On the other hand, 39% of the respondents said that being brought up into different cultures would be a hindrance to the relationship while 4% though otherwise. Analysis The data shows that majority think that these relationships wouldn’t last because they weren’t based on love whilst another minority thinks differently. If related to the previous analyses, this gives the impression that maybe these marriages aren’t really based on love after all. Question #7: How do you think these marriages would affect the Philippine society? Table #7 Respondents’ Opinions as to How Interracial Marriages Would Affect the Philippine Society N= 108 |Response |Frequency Percentage | |It will make us lose our identities as |30 |28% | |Filipinos | | | |The Filipino people will be branded as |50 |46% | |“Gold Diggers” | | | |Others |28 |26% | | | |100% | Graph #7 [pic] Interpretation The figures above show that out of the 3 given choices for possible effects interracial marriages would bring about, majority think that the Filipino people will be branded as “Gold Diggers” with a frequency of 50 over 108 or 46%. The idea that Filipinos would lose their identities follows with the frequency of 30 over 108 or 28%. The remaining 26% fall under the category others. Analysis

The table and graph above show that most people think that these marriages would make other nations brand us as “Gold Diggers” while only a few think that we’d lose our identities. Another minority also think otherwise. This gives the impression that these marriages are based on money or else they wouldn’t think that these marriages would make other nations brand us as so. It also gives the impression that Filipinos have a strong sense of character since only a few worry of Filipinos losing their identities. Question #8: All in all do you think these marriages are for the better or worse of the country? Table #8 Respondents’ Opinion if Interracial Marriages are for the Better or Worse of the Country N= 100 Response |Frequency |Percentage | |Better |78 |78% | |Worse |18 |18% | |Neither |4 |4% | | | |Total 100% | Graph#8 [pic] Interpretation From the data above, it can be seen that 78 out of 100 or 78% believe that interracial marriages are for the better of the Philippines. The thought that these marriages are for the worse of the country come in second with a frequency of 18 over 100 or 18%. The remaining 4% think neither. Analysis

The table and graph above show that most people think that these marriages would actually be good of the Philippines. A few think that they are actually far the worse while another minority thinks neither. This goes to show that a lot of people are optimistic about what interracial marriages will bring about to the Philippine society. Summary Interracial marriages have augmented as the years have gone by, even though it was once considered a grave taboo. This study has been conducted as to see what the people currently living in the Cebu Province think of these interracial marriages and how it might affect the Philippine society. The researchers have gone through various tasks.

Once the researchers have decided on having interracial marriages and their effects to the Philippine society as a topic, they had it approved and started to research on anything they could find on interracial marriages. They made use of different resources such as books, magazines, newspapers and the internet to acquire more knowledge on the topic in order to draw out a problem. They then chose a survey type of research to find the answer to it. They then made the first chapter which contains the introduction, the statement of the problem, the review of related literature, the significance of the study, the scope and limitation, the definition of terms and the organization of the study. Then they have devised a questionnaire which should get the respondents’ opinion on the topic.

After which the researchers determined the method of research they were to use for this term paper, the procedure they would follow, the instruments they would utilize, the environment they would cover and the subjects whose opinions they were going to ask of. Once they finished determining the following above, they put what they have settled on into writing. They distributed the questionnaires to the selected and random respondents and later retrieved them. Subsequently they recorded, graphed, interpreted, analyzed and concluded the data. Conclusion After many days and weeks of hard work which needed much patience, perseverance, endurance, sweat and blood, the researchers were able to arrive at certain conclusions which would answer the different objectives stated in the earlier chapter of the study. These days, it isn’t very unusual for most people to see a Filipino with a oreigner, because you can see a lot of these people in the malls, indicating that most of these couples are not afraid of exposing their relationships to the public and aren’t afraid of what people might think of them. Most of the respondents think that a life of luxury is the most probable reason for these interracial marriages and why these Filipinos choose to marry foreigners over their fellow countrymen. In any marriage, there will always be difficulties, but in an interracial one, the most likely reason which bought about their matrimonial problems would be because of their cultural differences, because these people have been brought up in two entirely different worlds.

But a lot of people think that even if those interracial couple would face those kinds of dilemmas, their marriages would still work out well since they believe that if one finds something in the marriage beneficial, he/she would just have to adjust to his/her spouse. However, majority feel that with these kinds of marriages growing in number in the Philippines, the Filipino people would be branded as gold diggers, but nevertheless, most of the respondents believe that these marriages would be for the better of the country. These marriages are considered to be for the better of the Philippines by most respondents for various reasons. Some say that in a way, it will boost our economy and tourism, that it will lessen the overcrowding here in the Philippines, and that more beautiful Filipinos would be created that way. Recommendation

There are a lot of factors to consider as to why these Filipinos have decided to tie the knot with their lovers from distant lands. Majority think that these Filipinos chose to wed these foreigners because these outsiders are the fastest ticket there is to living a life of luxury. Marriage is no joking matter, and to marry an individual who has grown up from an almost completely different lifestyle isn’t easy. These marriages will not only affect the families of the spouses, they will affect everybody in a way. The researchers would like to recommend this study to the following: o Interracial Couples (married or not) This study will definitely help them make the right decision as to where to take their relationships.

With the insight of other people, they might be able to reflect if their liaison will actually take them somewhere. It will aid them in trying to understand each other, especially with the fact that they come from two totally different worlds, helping them adjust to one another so that they might not lose their identities. It might also help them prepare themselves for all possible consequences they might have to face, especially if their relationship is not based on love. o Teenagers Despite the fact that entering an interracial marriage (or any marriage for that matter) should be the farthest things on their minds as of the moment, this study should be able to prepare them for what action they should take before deciding to walk down the aisle.

Hopefully, this study would also help them try to improve how other countries view o People who plan to enter an interracial marriage It might make them contemplate on the decisions they are about to make, especially on marrying a foreigner. It should make them aware that by entering these marriages, some people have branded us gold diggers. But more importantly, it should help them contemplate on what they would get themselves in to by getting wed to a foreigner. o Other Researchers With Similar Studies This study will help other researchers with similar studies because it will give them an idea of what to do in their research. It might also serve them as a basis of information. Bibliography Electronic Sources: Websites:

Alouise, Nacy John. “Interracial Marriages and the Effects on Children. ” Race, Racism and the Law. 1998. 5 Jan. 2006 . Beaver, Laura. “Interracial Relationships: A Historical Perspective. ” Interracial Relationships. 2000. 28 Dec. 2005 . Lang, Susan S. “Interracial relationships are on the increase in U. S. , but decline with age, Cornell study finds. ” Chronicle Online. 2 Nov. 2005. 5 Jan. 2006 . Le, C. n. “Interracial Dating & Marriage. ” Asian-Nation: The Landscape of Asian America. 2005. 4 Jan. 2006 . Pramschufer, Megan. “Interracial Relationships of the Chinese Americans. ” Interracial Relationships. 2000. 28 Dec. 2005 . Saia, Stefanie. The Transition to Romantic Relationships: Statistics on Interracial Marriage. ” Interracial Relationships. 2000. 28 Dec. 2005 . Sailer, Steve. “Is Love Colorblind? ” Steve Sailer-Articles & Blog on Human Biodiversity, Genetics, Sports, Race, Gender, Immigration. 14 July 1997. 5 Jan. 2006 . Sailer, Steve. “On Interracial Marriage. ” VDARE. 17 Sept. 2002. 5 Jan. 2006 . Sonnie, Heather. “Interracial Relationships with respect to the Caste System in India. ” Interrcial Relationships. 2000. 28 Dec. 2005 . Print Sources: Magazines: Kintanar, Han. “Dreaming of A Happy Ending. ” The Freeman Magazine Oct. 2002: g+. Books: Sung, Betty Lee. Chinese American Intermarriage. New York: Center for Migration Studies, 1989.

Women during Medieval Times: Imagine living your life as a women during the Medieval times. No personal or legal freedom, you can not do anything with out having permission from a male in your family. In this paper I am going to talk about what life was like for the women who lived through the medieval period compared to women living today in the 20th century. Living life during the medieval period was much different than the life we live today for many reasons, but especially being a women. Women during the medieval period were below men, they were ruled by the males in their families, or once married by their husbands.

They were to obey and serve the male family members. Girls that did not respect and do what the men said, were beaten, and not obeying the men was considered a religious crime. But women with a lot of land were considered equal to men and had the same rights a men. If the wives husband dies, the wife would be responsible for taking care of the large estate. At this time it was believed that the purpose for women was the be servants for the males, do as they say, take care of the house, and have to children and take care of them. Marriage at this time was much different than what we think of marriage today.

During this time, you did not mary because you were in love with someone. The reasoning for marriage during medieval period was just the opposite. Most of the time you did not get to choose who you were going to be marrying, it was arranged by the families, depending on wealth. The law said that the males had full rights over his wife, once you were married, your husband owned you. The wife was the husbands property. Duties of wives during this time were to take care of the house and have children. A married women would usually have anywhere from four to eight children, and normally one will die.

Women on average would live to about fourty years of age. Marie de France, a noble French women, was the first female writer from France. She wrote the story, Laustic which is a story of two knights and their wives and the love scandal they have going on between their homes. In this story, the wife of one of the knights is in love with a knight that lives in the house next to her and her husbands. This knight is also in love with her. Every night the women gets out of bed with her husband and goes to her bedroom window which looks at the knights house, and they look at each other and talk.

The women’s husband begins to notice her out of bed and at the window ever night. He asked her the reasoning for this and she says that she is listening to a bird, because it brings her much joy. Her husband gets angry at this and tell his servants to kill the bird. They do so and bring it to him, where he kills it with his bare hands. He then throws the dead bird at his wife. She is very upset that he would do such a thing, but the woman can not do anything about this. She can not disobey her husband, or let him know that she is in love with another man.

She has no choice but to stay with him and do as he says. In todays world, sadly if you are married and are not happy, or are in love with someone else you get a divorce, and its over, you move on. During the medieval time never would you ever hear of a women not happy with her husband so she left him. Today women have every right that men do. You can say and do pretty much anything you want. Women today can get the same education that men can, but during medieval times, most women did not get any education.

The aim of this article is to have a big picture of the debating on the same sex marriage and the adoption of children by same sex-couples. In fact, this question makes a real society debate in France. Nowadays, many people think that the same- sex marriage is a good evolution of mentalities, and a big step in the French culture. Indeed, the marriage for everyone is an achievement to equality and human rights. We emphasize that the marriage cannot be denied for two people who love each other. It should therefore not forget that marriage is merely a contract established by two people.

And the situation in which the government is paradoxical because we should not forget that marriage for all concerns only a few thousand people in France. It is a minority. The fact that a family will be unbalanced if there are two fathers or two mothers is really unfounded. Because in some situations, two fathers or two mothers best educate children than a classic couple. And it is quite possible that two gay parents are divided the roles in the education of a child. Finally on this point, if this problem is a religious problem. It must not be forgotten that the state is completely independent of the church.

So It has nothing to say about what the state should do. To conclude, I think marriage for all Is a good thing because It shows that the society is able to evolve In the right direction. And this would Increase the gap between church and state, which would be beneficial for everyone. Because the church can get ideas to those who believe In It. But shall In no case be put his own choice before everyone. Because for most people, the choices that the church Is Just incomprehensible. By cons, It must be noted that the case of adoption for all Is still a thing that will take time to be accepted, because It creates more problems.

Example of a Persuasive Speech : Diana Diana – Cover up or Accident? There are many conspiracy theories surrounding the death of the beloved Princess Diana. I would firstly like to say that these are not my opinions but facts and quotations that I have found in books or on the Internet. Since the Princess’ death in 1997, there was immediate pressure from the public towards the Royal family, and towards MI6. [pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic]The first conspiracy theory is that the death was faked.

The story goes that fed up with the constant intrusion into her private life by the media, Diana, aided by the resources of lover Dodi, staged a spectacular ‘death’, in a hope that she could retreat to a life of privacy. A plan that went horribly wrong, leading to her death. But would this idea be possible? My view: No. Diana was famous all over the world. In this day and age it would not have been possible to avoid the press – Diana and Dodi would have known this all too well. Also, she loved her sons. In this plan she would have had to leave them. To me this theory is not what happened

The second conspiracy theory is that of the evidence – one that stands out in particular for me. A) Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones still lives, but testimony from Mercedes auto experts says that it would have been almost impossible for anyone to have survived a crash in the tunnel in a car going at 121 mph. Maybe, as driver Henri Paul’s lawyers claim, the car was not going that fast. Maybe the crash was faked by the army-trained Rees-Jones who had previously deposited Diana and Dodi elsewhere. My view: Highly unlikely. If the bodyguard was to set up the accident, why be in the car at all?

If he had set up the accident I am sure he would have set up an excuse/alibi to not be in the vehicle. And as is commonly known now, he was the only one wearing a seatbelt – the fact that this saved his life seems most likely to me. B) Dodi’s usual driver was not used. Mystery still surrounds Henri Paul, the security officer, who stepped in at the last minute to drive the Mercedes S-280. It took a full two days for his name to be revealed, for instance. Co-workers at the Ritz Hotel say he kept himself to himself and never socialised with them.

One version of this conspiracy has it that Paul simply did not exist, another that he was quickly whisked away from the hospital after being declared dead by doctors in cahoots with the Al Fayed family. My view: We know for a fact that the drivers were changed, but there is no solid evidence to say why. Also, surely the Al Fayed family had more than one driver. If I was them I would want to know the person driving me in my car. Wouldn’t you? Now finally from the evidence: C) Just six hours before she died Diana let slip to Daily Mail reporter Richard Kray that she was about to withdraw completely from public life.

My view: A funny one – but is the reporter just looking for a cheap story or has he got the proof? The truth is still unknown. The final conspiracy is the most popularly believed. That the British MI6 killed her. Some say that she was the target; some say that it was Dodi. Here’s the evidence: Rogue elements in the British Secret Service decide that Diana is a threat to the throne, and therefore the stability of the state. They take her out. As for Dodi, business enemies of Dodi and his father Mohammed Al Fayed assassinate Dodi, with the death of Diana; a magnificent cover for their peration. My views are exactly that, and you should make up your own minds. But there is a mountain of evidence to say that The Lady Diana’s death was no accident. Either way, the people of Britain have demanded answers for ten years now – after coming close, then having all the evidence stolen! Will we ever find out? My final view on this is, that as long as the people responsible don’t want us to, then no, we will never find out the truth. Getting Civil I am against the government sanctioning same-sex marriages. Am I intolerant? Am I homophobic?

Am I part of a fundamentalist religious sect of some sort? What if I tell you that I am against the government sanctioning marriages between a man and a woman as well? Am I against marriage? Am I an anarchist? Am I insane? Actually, I believe I have the sanest solution to the whole marriage debate and I don’t hear anyone talking about it. My solution is to leave marriage where it belongs – in religious and private institutions. What business is it of the government to sanction relationships between consenting adults? Why is it up to the government to define what a marriage is?

Why should the government be involved in promoting or discouraging particular types of relationships? We are a free country so why is it up to the government to tell us how we, the citizens, can define our relationships and which ones are acceptable in their eyes and which ones are not? My contention is that unless relationships chosen by consenting adults of their own free will endanger other individuals, the government has no business sanctioning them or preventing them. Am I saying that the government has no role in personal relationships?

Well, not exactly. Legal arrangements are necessary for the purpose of expeditiously dividing property and providing for custody of any children resulting from a relationship if the relationship ends. Through legal arrangements, the rights of all involved can be protected. That’s why I believe that all legal partnerships between two people who have committed to each other should all be civil unions in the eyes of the government. Whether these relationships are called marriages or not is up to religious institutions and the individuals themselves. pic][pic][pic]I have a friend who is a lesbian. The woman she loves is Dutch and they got married last summer in Holland where it is legal. I saw the pictures. They were happy, joyful. Their families and friends attended the ceremony and support them in their commitment to each other. They have a house together. They have jobs and pay taxes. They participate in civic activities. They are enjoying life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But what if their families did not support their choice and their commitment to each other?

If something were to happen to one of them, either a life threatening illness or even death, by law, the family could prevent the partner from being involved in making decisions for her loved one’s care or even the arrangements for a funeral. Unless prior arrangements were made, the benefits of being a legal couple would not apply to these two committed partners who make every bit as much of a contribution to society as any heterosexual married couple does. I have a friend who has two children with her partner.

If their partnership were to dissolve, it is possible that the woman who actually gave birth to the children could bar the other woman, the woman that the children have always known as their mother from having any contact with them. The non-birth mother would have no rights. Are the children’s rights protected here? Some people argue that allowing same-sex couples to have civil unions would result in an undue financial burden on society, primarily because of the benefits that currently apply to married couples that would now have to be extended to same-sex couples.

So are we trying to prevent people from having equal rights to save a few bucks? To me, that’s like saying we should not have allowed women the vote because it would increase the cost of elections. Some people are concerned that allowing same-sex couples the legal rights of a civil union would require religious institutions to marry them. There would be no such requirements. Churches and other religious institutions would be free to exercise their beliefs and traditions as they have always been.

Two people who love each other should be able to commit to each other and be protected by law in the relationship and in the case that the relationship ends. Any children who are the result of the relationship should have their rights protected as well. In my opinion, all people who want to have legal recognition of their committed status should have the option of a civil union and that all people joined in a civil union should have equal rights regardless of their gender. Whether a name is given to that union beyond the legal one should be up to religious institutions and the individuals themselves, not the government.

AN ESSAY The Effect of Divorce on Children Family values are highly praised. When the family is broken up it can lead to divorce and ultimately many negative implications. So what is effect of divorce on children? Is it always negative? Needless to say, in today’s society, divorce has become a norm in our lives. Married couples today split up due to many different reasons, either because of conflicts in the marriage, lost of romantic feelings, a spouse committing an affair or some other type of marriage problems.

Most of these divorced couples have children that are very young and very often don’t have an idea how to deal with an event like a divorce. These children will have to learn to deal with their parent’s divorce, sometimes at very young age, affecting them in a positive or negative way. To begin with, divorce hurts children more than parents realize. It is always a traumatic experience in a person’s life, especially a child’s. When parents divorce, children are not always understand it.

This omission can lead to problems with the child’s perception of daily life. The impact divorce has on a family is more prominent to the children of the family than the parents. First of all, children have many of their own daily struggles to cope with, such as peer pressure. Adults sometimes forget what it is like to be a child. Many parents do not realize how something like divorce could possibly affect their children as much as it does themselves.

As the case may be, children are strongly affected by divorce as they experience some kind of emotional change. Children’s relationships with their friends and relatives may become damaged. Secondly, divorce can also create an unhappy, unfriendly environment for the children. They may not like the person that their mother or father has chosen to be with. This can cause conflicts between stepparents, parents, and children. Children would also have the mental problem of choosing which parent to live with.

This can cause a child to be confused and stressed because of the love the child has for both parents. He or she may start to show favoritism towards one of the parents. What is more, kids may look towards other things or relationships to ensure the trust that they were deprived from. For example, children may start taking drugs to relieve them of the stress they have gone through with their parents divorce. Besides, divorce can also cause children to look at marriage as being negative rather than positive.

Some children may have problems with future relationships due to the example they receive from their own parents. To my mind, divorce can have long lasting affects on children. Divorce will never be considered a positive solution, nor will children ever be not affected by it in a negative way. Before couples get divorce, they should consider their children first and how it will affect them. Divorce may be the way out for parents, but it always hurts children’s psychological and social health.

Contents 1. 1Introduction3 1. 2Social Wellbeing3 1. 3Disadvantage, Marginalisation, Power and Privilege4 1. 4Brief Report Outline4 2Research Methodology4 2. 1Reliability of Data and Limitations5 3Presentation and Analysis5 3. 1Housing6 3. 2Income7 3. 3Survey Evidence10 3. 4Survey results – Diagrammed12 3. 5Conflict and Functionalist Theories17 3. 6Functionalist Theory17 3. 7Conflict Theory18 4Conclusion – Evaluation and Decision Making19 4. 1Recommendations and Implications19 5Appendix20

Melissa Zanesco, Adderton 6 Study of Society report Single Parent Families Ms Brown 1 Introduction In a survey conducted over a period of ten years, it has been found that the number of single parent families has nearly doubled, and is continuing to increase [Figure 11 – ABS, 2007]. Despite this, single parent families in Australia face many challenges in terms of marginalisation and disadvantage because they do not have the same income advantage and housing accessibility as coupled families.

In particular, research has shown that women are even more so disadvantaged than men and, as such, experience further difficulty in raising children and balancing income and housing affordability. Consequently, these disadvantages lead to a lower chance of having power in society and therefore, not receiving the same level of privilege as those in married couples. 2 Social Wellbeing Social wellbeing comprises a number of contributing factors. The Australian Bureau of Statistics lists areas of concern as being health, education, employment status, economic resources and housing [ABS, 2001].

It is these very factors that directly affect the level of equality shown towards groups in society. In addition, if one’s access to these fundamental indicators is undermined because of their marital status, it can lead to social inequality. Inevitably, this produces unfair rights and opportunities between groups. Inequality arises in societies when individuals or groups within the society do not experience sameness of treatment in relation to class, wealth, education, gender or race [Wikipedia, 2010]. Single parent families are particularly affected by their access to ffordable and maintainable housing and their capacity to earn an adequate income in order to support their families. In 1996, the ABS Census of Population and Housing found that at least fifty percent of single parent home owners or private renters spent at least a quarter of their income on either mortgage repayments or rent [Council of Single Mothers & their Children, 2002]. This claim is further supported by findings from the survey completed – which found that of thirty people surveyed, 87% of single parents were living in rented accommodation compared to only 13% of married couples.

These statistics confirm that single parent families are hugely disadvantaged in housing ownership, primarily because the income being earned is not sufficient enough to purchase a house and the absence of a second income limits the level of privilege single parents have. 3 Disadvantage, Marginalisation, Power and Privilege Such disadvantages and consequent marginalisation inevitably produces inequalities in society, therefore hindering their access to power and privilege in the community.

Limited power in society results in single parent families receiving inadequate support and privileges [WordNet, 2009]. Power can often be confused with privilege. While the two are interrelated, one’s level of power is determined by their actions and the subsequent status achieved by it. Privilege can be seen as a result of having power. When one achieves power in society, greater privileges are rewarded [WordNet, 2009]. Similarly, marginalisation is also closely related to disadvantage. One is disadvantaged when they are not given equal access to opportunities.

Disadvantages are often caused by not having the same level of status as another because of lifestyle circumstances; in this situation it is being a single parent [WordNet, 2009]. Consequently, single parents and in particular single mothers are a minority group in society and as such become marginalised within the community because they are unable to have the same lifestyle a coupled family would have. 4 Brief Report Outline This report will investigate single parent families in Australia and the way in which they are disadvantaged through economic income and housing.

As a direct consequence of these disadvantages, single parents are being marginalised in society. From the ABS Social Indicators, housing and income will be analysed as areas of concern in order to evaluate whether single parent families are indeed disadvantaged because of their status in society. It will be investigated as to how these two measures of social wellbeing affect the level of equality shown towards single parent families. In addition, evidence from the survey will be presented to support the information given in the report.

Finally, both the conflict and functionalist theories will be considered to explain social inequality in relation to, and which theory is best suited to single parent families. Research Methodology The focus of the research was to locate information from an array of primary and secondary sources about single parent families in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics was the main secondary source used to find official statistics, while the quantitative survey completed was the primary source of data.

The survey provided information from thirty participants that would support the information presented and allow conclusions to be drawn. The questions in the survey focused primarily on housing and income and also what the general public’s view was on government assistance for families. The survey was created with convenience in mind, and thus featured primarily multiple choice questions, with one question asking for a written opinion on the government assistance scheme. Information found from secondary sources was presented in a research book and referenced accordingly. Reliability of Data and Limitations There were only three factors which may have played a role in the reliability and validity of the findings. Firstly, and the biggest variable was the survey responses. It is unknown whether every person surveyed gave truthful answers and while it was acceptable, it made it difficult to record accurate statistics if a participant did not want to answer certain questions. Secondly, in terms of the survey, only thirty people were questioned, which meant that the sample size was small and confined to Brisbane regions.

Presumably, this meant that it did not harness the opinion of a wide variety of people. And lastly, only about half of the survey participants were single parents and it was very difficult to find single parents, so the results were not as comprehensive as would have been preferred. Presentation and Analysis Single parent families consist of a parent whereby they do not live with either a married or de facto partner together with a child of their own that was dependent on the parents [ABS, 2007].

According to the information obtained through the surveys, 9 out of the 18 single parent families were single due to divorce of registered marriage. The other 9 of the 18 single parents stated that they had never been in a registered marriage, but this was single due to separation of de facto couples. It was found that single parent families are most often headed by women, with only a small minority headed by men [ABS, 2007]. This is a significant variable that has been consistent in research and whereby income and housing have shown to differentiate between the two.

Single parent families account for twenty two percent of families with children less than fifteen years of age in Australia [ABS, 2007]. This figure is expected to continue to rise, as can be seen in Figure 11, which has shown a steady and continual increase in single parent families from years 1987 to 2003. In 2006, 87% of one-parent families with children younger than 15 years were headed by mothers [ABS, 2007]. Yet, despite this rising trend, single parents continue to be one of Australia’s most disadvantaged groups, with little indication of improvement. 1 Housing

In 2007, 14% of single parent families publicly rented their homes, forty percent privately rented and forty percent owned or purchased their homes. While that figure does not seem alarming, it is when compared to the eighty percent of coupled families who owned their homes – double the rate of single parent families [ABS, 2007]. Coupled with this, the survey found that 87% of single parents surveyed were living in rental accommodation, compared to just 13% of married couples [refer to Figure 2]. Between the ABS and survey statistics, this is an average of 70. % of single parents living in rental housing. In addition, women are at a further disadvantage with 62% of single women surveyed living in rented homes and only 38% of single men with the same living arrangements [refer to Figure 3]. In addition, those applying to take out a mortgage must pass a certain criteria; including whether your income has the capacity to afford the repayments. Banks apply certain standards, like capacity to make repayments and many single parents are not earning enough to qualify for this criterion, making it even more difficult for single parents to buy a house.

The key trend here is that single parents are marginalised in housing ownership because only those with a high income may be able to afford to take out a mortgage and as such, are restricted in their chances of being able to purchase a house. A recent study by the University of South Australia found that single mothers faced discrimination when trying to secure housing in the private rental market because landlords were unwilling to sign leases for single mothers with children [AHURI, 2002].

Furthermore, Cam Smith from the Victorian Council of Social Service recently discovered that “rents have also been rising by about 15 per cent a year”, arguing that despite the growing costs of housing, the Government is yet to re-evaluate it’s rental assistance scheme for single parent families, with single parent families still spending more than a quarter of their income on housing [ABS, 2007].

Those eligible for rent assistance must be living in private rental accommodation and must also be receiving social security payments [Centrelink, 2010]. Many have called for a review of this policy because single parents on a low income that are not receiving social security payments are ineligible for rent assistance. This is supported by evidence found in the surveys which showed that half of the single parents surveyed were earning under $30 000 per annum, meaning that $7500 of this income is eing spent on rent alone. In summary, it is evident that in terms of housing access, single parent families struggle to obtain suitable housing that is affordable and maintainable and majority of single parents are unable to purchase a house because their income and other factors do not meet the criteria for home loans. Majority of single parents are living in rented accommodation and still find it difficult to pay rent even with rent assistance.

Thus, single parent families are marginalised in terms of home ownership because many do not earn a sufficient income to purchase a home, but cannot work more hours because they must be home to look after their children. Inevitably, single parent families are limited in their access to power and privilege because having dependent children means they are restricted to working less hours and earning a lower income – a key factor in determining the level of power a person has and the privileges attained by it. Income Research constantly shows that single parent families are at a greater risk of poverty than couple families. According to a study by the National Centre for Economic and Social Modelling (NATSEM), in 2001 the proportion of single parent families in income poverty was 18% compared with 6% of married couples with children (refer to Figure 1)[NATSEM, 2001]. The vulnerability of single parents results from the difficulty of balancing employment to earn an income while providing for and raising children alone.

The difficulty in this is that single parents who are raising children alone find it almost impossible to work any more than part time and thus, cannot earn the same income as married couples working full time. Single parents are disadvantaged because they are restricted in being able to work only a certain number of hours a week because a lot of time must be spent at home looking after their children. Single mothers are at a greater level of poverty as seen in the surveys; with only 26% of single mothers working full time, compared to 74% of single fathers [refer to Figure 7].

This statistic reinforces the argument that single mothers are not privileged in terms of income because they do not have opportunity to earn that of a full time working parent, and are more disadvantaged than single fathers because women account for the majority of single parents. In 2007, the ABS reported that forty two percent of single parent families were relying on government benefits as their primary source of income compared to six percent of coupled families with dependent children [ABS, 2007]. The disadvantage in this is that many single parents are headed by mothers, and it is widely known that women earn less than men.

In fact, surveys showed that 38% of single mothers were earning less than $30 000 per annum compared to just 11% of single fathers earning the same income. Furthermore, just 5% of single mothers were earning over $45 001 per annum compared to 38% of single fathers earning the same amount [Figure 6]. These results highlight the fact that single fathers are less disadvantaged when it comes to income because they are more likely to be working full time than single mothers and as such are less likely to be living in poverty.

If majority of single mothers are only working part time and if wealth equals power, single women are limited in their access to power in society because they are unable to achieve power with minimal income. This demonstrates the income marginalisation of single mothers when compared to their male counterparts and the fact the single mothers are one of society’s most underprivileged groups. According to a survey conducted by the Child Support Agency in 2000, seventy five percent of the ninety one percent of single mothers were raising children on incomes below $20 000.

Furthermore, these women were earning and average of $295. 00 per week, but research conducted by the University of Canberra found that the weekly cost of raising two children alone was $310. 00 [CSA, 2000; University of Canberra, 2003]. This proves that single mothers are earning less than basic living expenses require and are finding it incredibly difficult to survive, despite child support from the government, it is not sufficient for single mothers to live comfortably.

In addition, if they are earning barely enough to support their children, it would be impossible to save any money to put towards possible housing ownership. This reinforces the argument that single mothers are increasingly disadvantaged by only having one source of income and that hinders their access to any privilege in society because they do not have any assets or savings needed to gain a powerful status in society. Further statistics are proving that single parent families are at a disadvantage when it comes to income and child support.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies research paper notes that forty one percent of single parents were receiving no child support, due to income deemed too high to be eligible and hours children spent in their custody were not enough. Of those who did receive it, over eighty percent got only one hundred dollars or less per week [AFS, 2003]. In addition, the surveys showed that a huge 89% of single parents were not satisfied with the government assistance they were receiving (refer to Figure 4) and believed the government did not provide enough funds for single parents.

The key trend noted here is that even those receiving child support are still only receiving minimal amounts and a low income means their financial disadvantage is at an all time low. An average single parent family spends half its income on rent, household bills, and food while parents who are married spend under one third of the budget on these essentials, further highlighting the fact that married parents do not face anywhere near the level of financial hardship that single parents do [ACOSS, 2005].

The expenses of raising a child do not decrease because one is a single parent, and these statistics are proving that single parent families are becoming financially marginalised because their inevitable low incomes are preventing them from living comfortably. This information has clearly distinguished the extreme disadvantages in terms of housing and income that single parents, and in particular, single mothers face. Single parents on the whole are earning far less than those who are married and as such, are disadvantaged in their ability to buy necessities and have any money remaining to put towards savings or other expenses.

It is clear that single mothers are the most marginalised because majority of children in single parent families live with their mother and as such, single mothers must lessen their working hours to ensure that they are home to raise their children. It is clear that single parents with primary custody should be receiving more support from the government to compensate for their inability to work full time and government assistance should be provided with more consideration of the single parent’s situation. 3 Survey Evidence (Notes: *all statistics and figures presented in this section are out of thirty participants surveyed. those who responded as being ‘Never married’ were previously in a de facto relationship that had separated, and those without children in this category were omitted from the results. ) ? Of the single parents surveyed, 44% were male headed and 55% were female headed (Figure 1). The information presented in this report reinforces that single mothers are at a greater disadvantage than single fathers due to majority of single parent families being headed by women and their limitations in earning a high income because of family commitments, thus making them less likely to achieve any power or privileges in society. Of those who were living in rented accommodation, 87% were single parent families and 13% were married parents (Figure 2). This supports the argument that single parents are marginalised in their ability to afford a mortgage and their low incomes prevent them from being eligible for a home loan. ? Furthermore, of the single parents renting, 62% were single mothers and 38% were single fathers (Figure 3). Single mothers are marginalised in housing ownership because many experience discrimination when applying for a home loan and low incomes make housing ownership almost impossible. Married parents were earning a minimum of $45001 per annum, with 67% earning $75001 or more a year (Figure 5) Married parents have the ability to gain power in society because while one parent is raising the children, another can be out working full time and earning good money, which is a determining factor in one’s level of power. Thus, wealth and power means greater privileges are rewarded and married couples are less restricted in achieving this than single parents are. 61% of single parent families were earning under $30000 per annum (Figure 5). This reinforces the fact that low income means limited access to power and privilege in society and wealth in a major disadvantage for single parent families. ? Furthermore, the single parents who were earning $45001 or more (2) were unsurprisingly men (Figure 6) Single fathers are less marginalised than single mothers because they have the capability and time to work longer hours and earn more due to most single parent families being headed by women. 74% of single fathers were working full time, compared to just 26% of single mothers (Figure 7) Single mothers are disadvantaged in their ability to work full time because they must be home to take care of their children, which limits the hours they can work. ? 70% of single parents had children enrolled in state schooling, while just 28% of married parents had children attending state schools (Figure 8). Married parents earn more > can afford private schooling; single parents earn less > don’t have financial opportunity to send children to private school therefore, they are marginalised in their access to education. 65% of married parents were unaware of the current government assistance scheme for parents, while 21% of married parents thought it was unfair and 14% thought it was fair or that single parents should be given counselling (Figure 9). Married couples do not know what single parents are receiving from government and so, that may be preventing them from lobbying for the government to provide single parent families with more assistance. Perhaps better education about government assistance should be given to harness stronger opinions from people. 61% of single parents were unsatisfied with the government assistance they were receiving, while 22% were satisfied with it and 17% were not entitled to it (Figure 10). Single parent families are at a disadvantage of only having one income, but are even more so marginalised because government assistance provided does not compensate for a second income; it is only support. ? Single parents surveyed were not receiving anymore than $200 fortnightly in Government Assistance.

Despite being at an income disadvantage, single parents who are desperately in need still receive no more than $200 fortnightly which indicates the limitations they have to afford life essential, let alone save any money to afford to buy a house. 4 Survey results – Diagrammed Figure 1: [pic] Figure 2: [pic] Figure 3: [pic] Figure 4: [pic] Figure 5: [pic] Figure 6: [pic] Figure 7: [pic] Figure 8: [pic] Figure 9: [pic] Figure 10: [pic] 5 Conflict and Functionalist Theories The Conflict and Functionalist theories are concepts developed by theorists looking for a way to describe levels of class in society.

Each has key tenets that make them different and why one in particular may be a better explanation of single parent families and their marginalisation and disadvantage in society, which leads to power and privilege shown towards them. 6 Functionalist Theory The Functionalist theory sees levels in society as a comparison to the human body. It sees the social system to be made up of different interconnected parts and if any of these ‘organisms’ break down, the rest of society will malfunction.

Functionalists approve of social order and view inequality as natural and necessary where ‘everyone gets their due’. In addition, they see social change as disruptive on the system unless it happens gradually and social stratification is useful in maintaining stability in society. It sees those with special talent as deserving of the social reward and privilege (wealth, power, prestige) but fails to explain the place of those in society where their social status is ascribed or inherited, and not achieved.

As such, the Functionalist theory sees single parent families and the disadvantages they experience as necessary to maintain social order and believe they receive what their position in society is worthy of. [Sociology: Australian Connections. 2007] 7 Conflict Theory The Conflict Theory originates from the thinking’s of Karl Marx who studied societies throughout history. Marx believed that social change emerges through the struggle and conflict being played out between social classes.

The Conflict Theory sees social stratification as a result of groups becoming rich and powerful then preserving their own interests above those in lower classes. Conflict theorists view tension, hostility, competition and differences as a permanent and inevitable feature of societies. The key idea in the Conflict Theory is that ‘social order is marked by conflict and maintained by force’. It states that life chances are less for members of subordinate and powerless groups who have inferior opportunities, which in the case of single parents, is the limitations in income and housing that their situation has created.

It is important to note that Conflict theorists do not see conflict as a negative force, more that it has many consequences bringing about social change. [Sociology New York, 1987; Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, 2000. ] Of the two theories, the Conflict theory more suitably explains the disadvantage and marginalisation experienced by single parent families. The rising number of single parent families is due to their low level of income forcing them into a lower social class and as such, their level of class hinders their access to power in society.

Due to their lack of power and marginalisation in comparison to married parents, the opportunities of single parents are limited to those that they can afford and find time for and it has proven to be a vicious cycle that is very difficult to break. The rising number of single parents and disadvantages they experience in comparison married parents has been an issue for some time and so, as the Conflict theory states, these differences are bound to bring about change in the future. For these reasons, the Conflict Theory is a better explanation of single parent families.

Conclusion – Evaluation and Decision Making Single parent families are one of Australia’s most underprivileged and powerless groups. In particular, single mothers have shown to be the most disadvantaged group and experience the highest level of financial disadvantage and are most marginalised in their housing accessibility. Because most single parent families are headed by women, single mothers are limited in their access to power because it is a constant struggle to balance earning an income with family duties.

As such, single mothers do not receive the same privileges as married parents because they are restricted in their ability to earn a high income which limits the opportunities available to them. Single fathers have shown to be less disadvantaged than single mothers but still experience hardship in relation to home ownership. The research has proven that the disadvantage experienced by single parent families has shown no signs of improvement and married parents continue to have a much greater level of power and more privilege in society. As the Conflict theory states, when there is conflict between two groups in society single and married parents), it is destined to bring about social change. For that reason, the rising number of single parents in Australia is not necessarily a negative force, but one that is demonstrating the need for reform in the Government support and privileges that single parent families so desperately need. 1 Recommendations and Implications It can be seen from the primary and secondary sources of information that single parents experience the greatest disadvantage in their ability to work full time to earn a high income and their ability to purchase a home.

Thus, it is recommended that the Government puts in place certain programs and funding to ensure that the marginalisation of single parents is decreased and that the equality between married and single parents is made level. This can be achieved by providing single parents with child care grants that provide single parents with the opportunity to work full time without having the burden of child care costs. In addition, the government should provide single parents with grants to purchase a home to ensure that their single income does not restrict their access to home ownership.

Furthermore, grants for everyday necessities such as groceries and fuel should be provided so that single parents have a higher chance of being able to save money. Finally, the government should create some programs for single parents that give them advice on how to handle work and family duties and how they can save money even on a low income. These suggestions may cost taxpayers more money, but at the end of a day, if society wants to live in an egalitarian society, these are the first steps that must be taken in order to achieve this. Appendix Figure 11: [pic] Figure 12: [pic] Figure 13: [pic] Bibliography Article Base. (2008, October 21).

Basic Requirements Needed to Receive a Mortgage. Retrieved May 10, 2010, from Article Base: http://www. articlesbase. com/mortgage-articles/basic-requirements-needed-to-receive-a-mortgage-610898. html Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2007, August 7). 4102. 0 – Australian Social Trends, 2007 . Retrieved May 10, 2010, from Australian Bureau of Statistics: http://abs. gov. au/AUSSTATS/abs@. nsf/ProductsbyReleaseDate/3550D34DA999401ECA25748E00126282? OpenDocument Australian Council of Social Service. (2005, September). Facts about single parent families and welfare. Retrieved May 9, 2010, from Australian Council of Social Service: http://acoss. rg. au/images/uploads/294__info_380_sole_parents. pdf Australian Government. (2009). Your child support assessment. Retrieved April 29, 2010, from Child Support Agency: http://www. csa. gov. au/ChildSupportFormula/yourChildSupportAssessment. aspx Burke, T. , & Hulse, K. (2002, May). Sole parents,social wellbeing and housing assistance. Retrieved May 12, 2010, from Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute: http://www. csmc. org. au/? q=housingstress Commonwealth of Australia. (2004, March 11). A hand up not a hand out: Renewing the fight against poverty. Retrieved April 28, 2010, from Parliament of Australia Senate : http://www. ph. gov. au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/completed_inquiries/2002-04/poverty/report/ Jureidini, R. (2000). Sociology : Australian connections. In R. Jureidini, Sociology : Australian connections (pp. 83-86). New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. Loxton, D. (2005). What future? The long term implications of Sole Motherhood for economic Wellbeing. Just Policy , 35. Princeton University. (2006). WordNet Search. Retrieved 9 May, 2010, from Princeton University: . Princeton University. (2008). WordNet Search. Retrieved May 9, 2010, from Princeton University: . SAULWICK, J. (2010, January 8). Henry Tax Review. Retrieved May 9, 2010, from Sydney Morning

INTRODUCTION Demography is the scientific study of characteristics and dynamics pertaining to the human population. It is expanded to include education, income, the structure of the family unit, housing, race or ethnicity, and religion. The characteristics encompassed by this study include size, growth rate, density, vital statistics, and distribution of a specified population. People who study and record this information are referred to as demographers. Demographers must know both how to scientifically obtain information and how to interpret it relatively.

Demography is widely used for various purposes and can encompass small, targeted populations or mass populations. Governments use demography for political observations, scientists use demography for research purposes, and businesses use demography for the purpose of advertising. In real estate, demography is employed to give clients an overview of specific neighborhoods. Statistical concepts essential to demography include birth and death rate, infant mortality rate, fertility rate, and life expectancy. These concepts can be further broken down into more specific data, such as the ratio of men to women and the life expectancy of each gender.

A census helps provide much of this information, in addition to vital statistic records. In some studies, the demography of an area is expanded to include education, income, the structure of the family unit, housing, race or ethnicity, and religion. The information gathered and studied for a demographic overview of a population depends on the party utilizing the information. Advertising relies heavily on demography, since service and goods providers need specific information to reach the maximum number of potential customers in their target audience.

Similarly, education relies on demography to help gather information to provide necessary governmental and local assistance. An example of large-scale demography is the collection of demographic information for an entire country. Such information might be used to determine a need for world assistance due to famine, disease, or other serious issues. Demography is an interesting science used to create statistics. Sociology, which is the study of society and social behavior, is an example of an independent area of study in which demography is frequently used. Economics is also a specific area of study employing the science of emography. Anyone can review basic information about the demography of the United States by reviewing the most recent US census. Moreover, this survey is important to know the Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Stakeholders of First Year Level in Caridad National High School. Objective of the study With our study getting on surveying the Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Stakeholders of First Year Level in Caridad National High School. School Year 2011-2012. This study is geared towards the attainment the following factors: a.

Age is a period of human life. It is measured by years from birth, usually marked by a certain stage or degree of mental or physical development and involving legal responsibility and capacity. b. Gender is the sum of the structural and functional differences by which the male and female are distinguished. c. Educational attainment is terms refer to the highest level of education that an individual has completed. d. Relationship of the students refers to the connection or association to the respondents whether the students is their son, daughter, relative and sister. e. Marital status the condition of being married or unmarried or single. . Occupation is a person’s usual or principal work or business, especially as a means of earning a living. g. Monthly income is a convertible and callable (usually after a call protection period) shares that pay a fixed monthly dividend. Scope and Limitation of the study The following factors were studied: age; gender; marital status; relationship of the students; educational attainment; occupation and monthly income of the respondents. METHODOLOGY A. Locale and Time of the study This survey was conducted and worked on January 7-8, 2012 in Caridad and Hilapnitan Baybay City Leyte. B. Population

Stakeholders in the covered area by this survey or the respondents are stakeholders in First Year Level at Caridad National High School. C. Instrumentation The main instrument that we are using in this research was the questioner and secondary data as well. The questions include the following factors: age; gender; marital status; relationship of the students; educational attainment; occupation and monthly income of the respondents. D. Procedure in Gathering Data The researchers in gathering the data made a procedure by this way: a. First, is making and creating some questions about the biography and aspects of the respondents. . Second, is going to their respective houses to conduct direct one-on-one interview. While asking and questioning there must be a picture for evidence. c. Lastly, after accomplishing and completing the data, tabulated result is made as well as the chart. E. Data Analysis Using simple analysis, the data were consolidated and compiled according to age, gender, marital status, relationship of the students, educational attainment, occupation and monthly income of the respondents. It is presented in tables and different kinds of graph or charts. Result and Discussion A. Age Distribution

Age distribution, also called Age Composition, in population studies, the proportionate numbers of persons in successive age categories in a given population. Age distributions differ among countries mainly because of differences in the levels and trends of fertility. a period of human life, measured by years from birth, usually marked by a certain stage or degree of mental or physical development and involving legal responsibility and capacity. As you can see in the table or graph below, the age 41-45 has the highest number of age which is 25% or 33 respondents in all both male and female.

And that was closely followed with 23% or 30 numbers of respondents who belongs of the age of 46-50. But there are equal in frequency as well as the percentage which is 20 or 15% and the age of that are 26-35 and 55-61 years old. While the lowest percentage of 2 which is 22-25 years old. Table 1: Frequency distribution by age of the respondents. Age| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| 22-25| 2| 130| 2| 26-35| 20| 128| 15| 36-40| 25| 108| 19| 41-45| 33| 83| 25| 46-50| 30| 50| 23| 55-61| 20| 20| 15| Figure 1: Chart of age distribution of the respondents B. Gender Distribution

Gender is a sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behavior, activities and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women. The table below contains the division of the male and female stakeholders in first year level. In our result, there are 69 numbers of respondents who are female and there percentage is 53%. For the stakeholders of a male there are only 61 and 47 percent. And so, it means that there are many stakeholders in first year level at Caridad National High School.

Table 2: Frequency distribution by gender of the respondents. Gender| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| Male| 61| 130| 47| Female| 69| 69| 53| Figure 2: Chart of gender distribution of the respondents C. Marital status Marital status is the condition of being married or unmarried. Marital status studied in combination with other factors also reveals a marriage gap. A person’s marital status indicates whether the person is married. Based on the result of the data regarding about their marital status, stakeholders who are married has 89% or 116 numbers of respondents and the unmarried parents are only 4.

And a single mother or father is 10 only. Therefore, married stakeholders get the highest number in terms of marital status. Table 3: Frequency distribution by marital status of the respondents Marital Status| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| Married| 116| 130| 89| Unmarried| 4| 14| 3| Single| 10| 10| 8| Figure 3: Chart of marital status of the respondents D. Relationship of the students A relationship is normally viewed as a connection between two individuals, such as a romantic or intimate relationship, or a parent–child relationship.

Individuals can also have relationships with groups of people, such as the relation between a pastor and his congregation, an uncle and a family, or a mayor and a town. Out of the 130 respondents, 68 or 52% is their daughter and 57 or 44% is their son. And the relative is only 4, whereas their sister is only 1% or 1 number of students. It means that most of the stakeholders are their child is a girl. Table 4: Frequency distribution by relationship of the students to the respondents Relationship| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| Son| 57| 130| 44|

Daughter| 68| 73| 52| Relative| 4| 5| 3| Sister| 1| 1| 1| Figure 4: Chart of relationship of the students to the respondents E. Educational Attainment Distribution Educational attainment is a term commonly used by statisticians to refer to the highest degree of education an individual has completed. Educational attainment refers to the highest level of education that an individual has completed. As you can see in the table below, the highest level of educational attainment is high school graduate both male and female and followed by high school undergraduate.

And in elementary undergraduate there are only 34 or 36% stakeholders. But in elementary graduate there are only 4 who graduated. In college level 10 of them are college undergraduate and 8 or 6% are college graduate. It means that there are only few stakeholders who graduated in college and also in elementary. Table 5: Frequency distribution by educational attainment with the respondents Educational Attainment| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| Elementary Undergraduate| 34| 130| 26| Elementary Graduate| 4| 96| 3| High School Undergraduate| 35| 92| 27|

High School Graduate| 39| 57| 30| College Undergraduate| 10| 18| 8| College Graduate| 8| 8| 6| Figure 5: Chart of educational attainment of the respondents F. Occupation Distribution Occupation an activity that serves as one’s regular source of livelihood; a vocation. An activity engaged in especially as a means of passing time; an avocation. A person’s usual or principal work or business, especially as a means of earning a living. Based on the result of the data regarding about their occupation there are only few have a serious job and there are many have not.

In father’s occupation the highest percentage is 19 or 15% which is the farmer and in mother’s occupation are 50 or 38% who are housekeeper only. It means that there are few who earn a big and high salary a month. Monthly income is connected with occupation of the stakeholders, because salary depend only the occupation of the respondents. Table 6: Frequency distribution by occupation of the father. Occupation of the father| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| Fisherman| 4| 61| 3| Farmer| 19| 57| 15| Housekeeper| 3| 38| 2| Security Guard| 1| 35| 1| Automotive| 2| 34| 2| Baker| 1| 32| 1|

Driver| 4| 31| 3| Laborer| 1| 27| 1| Carpenter| 5| 36| 4| Factory worker| 5| 21| 4| Construction| 2| 16| 2| Machinist| 1| 14| 1| Scrap buyer| 1| 13| 1| Maintenance| 1| 12| 1| Caregiver| 1| 11| 1| Mechanic Expeller| 2| 10| 2| Business| 2| 8| 2| Barangay Police| 2| 6| 2| Banana vendor| 1| 4| 1| Barber| 1| 3| 1| Furniture Maker| 1| 2| 1| Welder| 1| 1| 1| Table 6. 1: Frequency distribution by occupation of the mother. Occupation of the mother| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| Housekeeper| 50| 69| 38| Manicurist| 1| 19| 1| Teacher| 2| 18| 2| Barangay Health Workers| 1| 16| 1|

Banana Vendor| 2| 15| 2| Cooker| 1| 13| 1| Factory Worker| 3| 12| 2| Laundry Woman| 3| 9| 2| Business| 2| 6| 2| Market Vendor| 1| 4| 1| Babysitter| 1| 3| 1| Maid| 1| 2| 1| Barangay Secretary| 1| 1| 1| Figure 5: Chart of occupation of the father Figure 5. 1: Chart of occupation of the mother G. Monthly income Distribution Monthly income is a solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something: signed a pledge never to reveal the secret; a pledge of money to a charity. The table and graph below contains the monthly income of the respondents that is range from 1000-20000 pesos.

The table and graph show that 1000-1500 has the highest number of families which is 26 numbers in all and 10000-20000 has the lowest number of families which is 2 percent. It means that many families earn low salary in a month and there are imperceptible families who earn high emolument. And this is because of their occupation. Table 7: Frequency distribution by monthly income with the respondents Monthly income| Frequency| Cumulative Frequency| Percentage (%)| 1000-1500| 26| 70| 20| 2000-2500| 11| 44| 8| 3000-3500| 7| 33| 5| 4000-4500| 5| 26| 4| 5000-5500| 7| 21| 5| 6000-6500| 3| 14| 2| 7000-7500| 4| 11| 3| 000-9000| 2| 7| 2| 10000-20000| 5| 5| 4| Figure 7: Chart of monthly income of the respondents SUMMARY Demography is the scientific study of characteristics and dynamics pertaining to the human population. It is expanded to include education, income, the structure of the family unit, housing, race or ethnicity, and religion. The characteristics encompassed by this study include size, growth rate, density, vital statistics, and distribution of a specified population. Based on the interview, stakeholders in First Year Level at Caridad National High School are aging 22-61 years old and the highest percentage is 41-45.

In educational attainment, it suggests that most of the stakeholders are high school graduate. For their gender, it explains that there are many stakeholders are male and in marital status, married stakeholders get the highest frequency. For their monthly income, it tells that most of the families have only earned 1000-1500 pesos in a month and this income is not enough for the families need. For the relationship of the students, stakeholders are supporting their son. For the occupation distribution, many stakeholders have no permanent or serious job like farmer for the male and housekeeper for the female.

When the occupation of the parents is not permanent, then their monthly income also is not permanent or their salary is low. CONCLUSION Based from the data gathered and after a thorough analysis, it was concluded that 41-45 is the highest age of respondents. In educational attainment high school undergraduate and high school graduate are the highest. For the monthly income, 1000-1500 is the highest percent. And farmer and housekeeper are the highest range for the occupation of the stakeholders RECOMMENDATION Throughout the whole survey, commitment, dedication and hard work are strongly recommended.

Without the said words, the research is not possible. Knowing that in a team, a group of people does not necessarily agree and are likes with one another. Problems, obstacles, hindrance, and arguments are always present yet this should not outweigh the commitment, dedication and hard work that are present. Also, effort and time management is very important. Effort and time management should always be present since without it the time allotted for the survey might be put to waste, thus having problems, hindrance and obstacles in the later on. Reference * http://www. wisegeek. com/what-is-demography. tm * http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/demography * http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/8904/age-distribution * http://www. thefreedictionary. com/marital+status * http://www. census. gov/hhes/socdemo/education/ * http://wiki. answers. com/Q/Occupation_distribution_of_India_in_various_sectors_-_primary_secondary_and_tertiary * http://www. answers. com/topic/demography * Libres Jocelyn, Castro Arche, Santianez Marjorie, Bandialan Irene, Avila Ritchie, Moreno Jovanie (Socio Demographic Characteristics of students) * Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus (2009)