Subjective well-being of Filipino farm children

2015 IJRSP – Volume 4 Issue 4

Author/s:

Tolentino, Marvin N.*
Central Luzon State University, Philippines (tolentinomarvin@gmail.com)

Dullas, Angelo R.
University of Santo Tomas; Central Luzon State University, Philippines (dullas.angelo@yahoo.com)

Abstract:

How do farm children evaluate their lives as a whole? Using the framework of Ed Diener, this paper explores farm children’s positive emotions, negative emotions, global life judgment and work satisfaction that will ultimately reflect their subjective well-being (SWB). It also discusses the nature of farm work engagement of these children and their positive and negative experiences on it. Using qualitative data, the paper found out that children are involved in different farming activities. In particular, the theme found on children’s positive experiences on farm includes the social reward of farming while prominent on their negative experiences are linked with innate conditions on farm, task-related injuries, negative bodily response and interactions with others on farm. Using quantitative data the paper found out that they have high level of SWB. The high level of SWB among children engaged in farming is characterized by high levels of positive emotion, global life judgment and work satisfaction, and low level of negative emotion. More so, differences on the level of SWB between in-school and out-of-school farm children were explored. The paper concludes that in spite of difficulties on farm these children are happy and evaluate their lives positively; hence, the virtue of resiliency.

Keywords: subjective well-being; Filipino children; farm children; happiness; positive psychology

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsp.2015.1265

*Corresponding Author