Parental violence cuts Filipino children’s school attendance by half — PIDS

Violent discipline at home lowers Filipino children’s chances of staying in school by about half, according to a new study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

The study found that children exposed to parental violence at age 10 were about 50 percent less likely to be enrolled in school by age 14 to 15. While overall enrollment remains high, the data shows that those who drop out are disproportionately from households where violence is present.

Nearly two in five Filipino children experience physical or emotional violence from a parent by age 10—an early form of harm that significantly weakens future school engagement.

“While a child's development is expected to flourish at home, for these children, home is where fear and harm begin,” PIDS Project Technical Specialist Aaron Carlos Manuel said. He explained that “early childhood experiences shape mental health outcomes,” influencing emotional regulation, behavior, and academic engagement.

The study, “Early Harm, Lasting Impact: The Effect of Parental Violence on Educational Outcomes Among Filipino Children,” was authored by Manuel, Senior Research Specialist Lyle Daryll Casas, and Senior Research Fellow Dr. Valerie Gilbert Ulep. It draws from a long-term national survey tracking nearly 5,000 children from late childhood to early adulthood.

Violence at home remains widespread

The researchers reported that 39.5 percent of 10-year-olds experienced parental physical or emotional violence within the previous six months. Rates remained high as the children aged—35 percent in the second wave of data collection and 34 percent in the third. The rate dipped to 27 percent by the fourth wave.

The pattern mirrors global trends, where about half of the world’s children experience violence at some point in their lives.

Early exposure weakens schooling outcomes

The study found that while 96 percent of Filipino children are enrolled in school, those who drop out are far more likely to have experienced violence at home.

Both boys and girls showed reduced odds of staying enrolled, though the effect was statistically stronger for boys.

Children who experienced early harm also entered school with weaker foundational skills. About one in four scored low in reading, math, and science, and recorded lower average IQs. Their later school performance remained lower than peers, though not significantly enough to be conclusive.

Experts urge better measurement, stronger interventions

Discussant Dr. Alejandro Herrin, Visiting Research Fellow at the University of San Carlos-Office of Population Studies, underscored the need to improve measurement tools. He said existing surveys do not capture key elements such as intention and repetition—factors emphasized in Philippine law and international standards.

“What is not clear is how close we are to measuring that concept,” Herrin said, urging future research to study violence alongside bullying by peers and adults.

The authors stressed the need for expanded prevention and support systems, particularly early interventions integrating positive parenting, school-based programs, and community resources.

“To ensure the success, multi-sector collaboration is important… With the leadership of the DSWD and the DILG, [we need to strengthen data systems] to allow more comprehensive understanding of how violence really shapes learning trajectories,” Manuel said.