Nanay, Tatay, Gusto Ko Tinapay

Nanay, Tatay, Gusto ko Tinapay. Ate, Kuya, Gusto ko Kape! Lahat ng gusto ko ay susundin niyo, ang magkakamali ay pipingutin ko nang 1! As the famous game goes, kung hindi raw sinunod ng members ng family yung gusto ng bata, pipingutin niya! But, is there really someone to pinch? Do these figures even exist to a child?

In our society today, so many children are deprived of proper education, and huge gaps arecreated between socio-economic classes due to a lot of reasons, but let’s focus on the significance of a parental figure in educational development. Kids who had no parental figure while growing up are more likely to have it rougher than the rest. Imagine growing up, especially in the pandemic, with no appropriate guidance. No one to teach you about how to use a phone, how to use Google Meet or Zoom and whatsoever. No one to teach you when you don’t know how to add 1 plus 1.

A child who grew up with no significant parental figure is more likely to face discrimination, and that goes with low self-esteem, anxiety or depression. And these affect a child’s development, especially in their education. This absence may be described in terms of neglect or abandonment, which, in turn, may be reflected in their low esteem, anxiety, or depression. These emotional turmoils may impact the child's ability to develop genuine relationships, especially in the school setting.

Secondly, having no parental figure also means having less access to resources for the child. Moments like buying them books, buying them their uniforms, and tending to the materials they need for school. Who will the child come to if not their parents? Kanino sila magsasabi ng “Ma, kailangan ko ng cartolina bukas.” at 9PM when everyone’s ready for bed? The feeling of not being able to keep up with their peers due to lack of resources may also lead to the development of an inferiority complex.

With all these reasons, socio-economic gaps in Media and Information Literacy are created. Those who are less privileged are bound, unfortunately, to more or less experience these harsh settings. The children lose hope. They believe that if not their parents, then who else is going to be there for them? Pero, maaari. Maaari pang magbago ang landas. Parents, remember that your mere presence matters. These seemingly impossible gaps can close, as long as our society keeps persevering for the just and the right.