Review of Related Literature 1
Civil status whether single, married, separated, or widowed is a significant
socio-demographic factor that affects various aspects of a young person's
life, including their engagement in development programs. Understanding
how civil status influences youth participation is crucial for designing
inclusive and effective programs. Estilong and Lansang (2025) conducted a
qualitative study exploring the lived experiences of 48 Filipino youth involved
in community development initiatives in San Fernando, La Union. Their
findings revealed that single youth often had more flexibility and fewer
familial responsibilities, allowing them to actively participate in planning and
decision-making processes. Conversely, married youth or those with
dependents faced time constraints and additional obligations, limiting their
involvement in such programs. The study underscores the necessity for
youth development programs to consider civil status when designing
inclusive engagement strategies. Similarly, Velasco and Ordinario (2024)
examined community participation in decision-making processes within
barangays in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija. Their study found that factors such
as age and educational attainment significantly influenced participation
levels. Notably, single individuals aged 18 to 27 were more likely to engage
in community activities, suggesting that civil status plays a role in civic
engagement. The research highlights the importance of accommodating
diverse life circumstances in program planning to enhance youth
participation. Furthermore, the National Youth Commission (2019)
emphasized the need for comprehensive youth development planning that
accounts for various demographic factors, including civil status. The
Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) serves as a framework for unified
actions addressing the economic, social, cultural, and political aspects of
youth development. By integrating considerations of civil status, the PYDP
aims to create more responsive and effective youth programs.
References
Estilong, H. P., & Lansang, N. L. (2025). Lived experiences of Filipino youth in
community development initiatives in the City of San Fernando, La Union,
Philippines. DMMMSU Research and Extension Journal, 9(1), 1–20.
Velasco, M., & Ordinario, A. (2024). Community participation in the decision-
making process. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=5170435
National Youth Commission. (2019). A resolution approving the guidelines on
local youth development planning, comprehensive barangay youth
development planning, and annual barangay youth investment
programming. https://philarchive.org/archive/ROSASK
Review of Related Literature 2
Local Literature
Civil status plays a significant role in shaping the level of involvement and
access that Filipino youth have in development programs. According to
Reguindin (2023), who studied the lived experiences of young leaders in
Northern Negros Occidental, civil status greatly affects participation in
community initiatives. Single youth were more likely to take on leadership
roles and participate in trainings due to fewer personal obligations. In
contrast, married youth often encountered limitations due to domestic
responsibilities and economic pressures. The study emphasized the
importance of inclusive program design, recommending tailored approaches
that address the needs of both single and married youth participants.
Similarly, Velasco and Ordinario (2024) found that in barangays within San
Jose City, Nueva Ecija, civic engagement was highest among youth who were
single and aged between 18 and 27. These individuals had more flexibility
and access to support systems, which allowed them to contribute actively to
community projects. The study called for youth development programs to
incorporate supportive mechanisms such as flexible scheduling and family-
inclusive events for youth with more demanding civil obligations. The
National Youth Commission (2019) also highlighted civil status as a relevant
demographic factor in the formulation of the Philippine Youth Development
Plan. The Commission emphasized that both local government units and
youth-serving organizations should ensure that services such as childcare,
livelihood assistance, and flexible training modules are available to
accommodate the diverse situations of Filipino youth.
Global Literature
Internationally, the relationship between civil status and youth development
has also been examined. A study by Singh and Choudhary (2020) in India
showed that unmarried youth were more active in skill-building and
empowerment programs compared to their married counterparts. The study
cited that early marriage, particularly among women, reduced access to
education and civic opportunities, thus limiting long-term developmental
outcomes. It recommended integrating family support systems and gender-
sensitive modules into youth development programming. Additionally, a
World Bank report (2022) on youth development in sub-Saharan Africa found
that marital status influenced youth access to entrepreneurial training and
financial support. Young women, particularly those who were married or had
children, were significantly less likely to complete development programs
due to the absence of institutional support for their caregiving roles. The
report encouraged governments and NGOs to design more inclusive
programs that consider marital and parental responsibilities.
References
Reguindin, J. C. V. (2023). Lived experiences of Filipino young leaders on
participation in community development in a municipality in Northern Negros
Occidental. The QUEST: Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Graduate School Journal, 2(1), 1–10.
Velasco, M., & Ordinario, A. (2024). Community participation in the decision-
making process. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=5170435
National Youth Commission. (2019). A resolution approving the guidelines on
local youth development planning. https://philarchive.org/archive/ROSASK
Singh, A., & Choudhary, R. (2020). Youth participation in development
programs: A study on the impact of marital status among Indian youth.
International Journal of Social Sciences, 8(2), 115–128.
World Bank. (2022). Youth Development and Marital Status in Africa:
Overcoming Participation Gaps. https://worldbank.org/youth-marriage-gap-
report
Review of Related Literature 3
The advocacy efforts of Bangsamoro youth civil society organizations (CSOs)
against child marriage demonstrate the critical role of youth participation in
effective youth development programs. These organizations provide young
people with meaningful opportunities for leadership, community
engagement, and empowerment—key components of comprehensive youth
development. The study reveals that institutional support, such as dedicated
participation venues and diverse funding sources, fosters strong youth
involvement. Such support enables youth to build essential skills in
advocacy, collaboration, and organization, which contribute to their personal
growth and capacity to effect social change. Moreover, school-based
leadership development programs further nurture youth as responsible and
active members of their communities. Despite these successes,
intergenerational differences present challenges to sustained youth
engagement. This highlights the importance of youth development programs
adopting inclusive approaches that bridge generational gaps to promote
ongoing participation and dialogue. Overall, the Bangsamoro youth advocacy
against child marriage illustrates how targeted youth development initiatives
that empower young people to tackle critical social issues can create lasting
positive impacts for both the youth and their communities.
Reference
Tagorda, Y. A. (2023). Combatting Child Marriage: A Study of Youth-Led Civil
Society Initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao, Philippines. Journal of Contemporary Sociological Issues, 4(1), 1–
15. https://doi.org/10.19184/csi.v4i1.45840
Review of Related Literature 4
Active youth engagement plays a crucial role in building a strong and
resilient community. However, young individuals vary in their levels of
involvement, ranging from highly active to completely disengaged. In
Barangay District III, Babatngon, Leyte, out of 548 youth residents, only a
small number are active in youth-oriented volunteer groups most of which
have fewer than 30 members, with some remaining inactive throughout the
year. In response to this issue, a study was conducted to explore the factors
behind youth disengagement in the area. Using purposive sampling, five
individuals who had never participated in youth-related activities were
selected. The study adopted a qualitative, explanatory case study approach
and gathered data through semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed
using thematic analysis. The results identified several reasons for the lack of
youth participation, including disinterest, absence of invitations, low self-
confidence, time constraints, and financial challenges. Based on these
findings, the researcher recommended encouraging youth to become active
in community groups and organizations. Youth leaders should inspire their
peers to participate, parents should support their children’s involvement, and
the local government should create inclusive projects and initiatives that
promote youth engagement in community activities.
Reference
Cadano, M. J. O. (2023). The reasons of inactive youth engagement in the
community: A case study in Barangay District III, Babatngon, Leyte.
International Journal of Research and Publications, 10(1), 142–150.
https://doi.org/10.47119/IJRP1001231420234683
Civil status in shaping youth participation and outcomes in development
programs. The civil status of young individuals whether single, married, or
cohabiting affects their access to education, employment, and civic
engagement opportunities. According to the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and
Sexuality Study (YAFS5) by the University of the Philippines Population
Institute (UPPI), teenage pregnancy in the Philippines declined significantly
from 13.7% in 2013 to 6.8% in 2021. However, the same study noted a drop
in the percentage of youth raised by both parents, from at least 80% in 2013
to 67% in 2021, indicating changes in household structures that may affect
youth development (UPPI, 2022). These shifts suggest that civil status and
family dynamics play a role in shaping young people’s social development. In
terms of civic participation, civil status also influences involvement in youth
governance. A study on community development frameworks found that
nearly all members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the Philippines’ youth
council system, were single (99.52%), implying that unmarried youth may
have more time, flexibility, or interest in engaging in public service compared
to their married peers (Academia.edu, n.d.). This connection is further
emphasized in the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) 2023–2028,
which acknowledges that the diversity in youth backgrounds—including civil
status—must be considered when designing inclusive and responsive
development programs (Situation of Children Philippines, 2023). Moreover,
civil registration, which documents civil status through birth and marriage
records, plays a foundational role in enabling youth to access services and
rights. In regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (BARMM), high rates of unregistered births hinder young people
from fully participating in development programs or claiming their civil
rights, thereby reinforcing the importance of proper documentation in youth
empowerment (Situation of Children Philippines, n.d.).
References
Academia.edu. (n.d.). Community development framework for the youth: The
autonomy-supportive context. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/27948354/COMMUNITY_DEVELOPMENT_FRAMEWO
RK_FOR_THE_YOUTH_THE_AUTONOMY_SUPPORTIVE_CONTEXT
Situation of Children Philippines. (2023). Philippine Youth Development Plan
2023–2028. Retrieved from https://situationofchildren.org/latest-evidence/all-
reports/publication/philippine-youth-development-plan-2023-2028
Situation of Children Philippines. (n.d.). Child and adolescent engagement
and freedom of expression. Retrieved from
https://situationofchildren.org/child-and-adolescent-engagement-and-
expression
UP Population Institute (UPPI). (2022). YAFS5 key findings generate
discussions on the state of today’s youth. Retrieved from
https://www.uppi.upd.edu.ph/news/2022/YAFS5-key-findings-generate-
discussions-on-the-state-of-todays-youth
