The Influence of Christianity and Family in UP-Manila Students’ View of Courtship

Abstract

Every boy and girl relationship goes through a courtship stage not necessarily for a purpose of a possible marriage in the future but just for the sake of it. Because of this, dating and courtship are sometimes interchanged. To simply put, the researcher adopted the definition of courtship as dating with responsibility. (Harris, 2000) In this view, the use of two terms will not be confusing, as courtship is in fact, a form of dating. In the Philippine society, courtship is an unwritten rule and because of this, the researcher deemed to find out the influence of Christianity and family in UP-Manila students” view of courtship. Christianity was single out as one factor because the researcher is a Christian herself and wanted to find out if there is a difference in views between Christians and non-Christians and family is also considered because of the fact that the shaping of one’s values begins at home. The study is explanatory and descriptive. It made use of survey questionnaires and interviews, as it attempted to find out the gravity or impact of Christianity and family, if there is any. Data gathering was done on the second semester of the academic year, 2003-2004. Population sample was made up of 215 UP-Manila students (about 5% of the total population) and homosexuals were not discriminated against. Privacy was maintained because putting up of names was optional. Analysis of data was done in tables for comparison purposes. The questionnaires were made up of 30 close-ended questions and 5 of them include ranking from ranges 1-5. This study does not assert the notion that Christianity alone has a very acceptable and perfect view on courtship. Rather, it exposes its ideals and it opts to find out the positive effect on it on the students. Also, it will attempt to show how views differ among students. The study found out that according to students, courtship is necessary in a relationship regardless of religion. When asked about the role of courtship as necessary, almost all the respondents per group agree or strongly agree that courtship affects how the relationship will progress. Although all of the respondents understand the role of courtship in a relationship as vital, there are still a few who don’t really think it’s necessary. In the five groups of students, the Protestants and the Non-Catholics-Non- Protestants are the most idealistic of all. Their answers are always anchored on the Bible and in their church doctrine or teaching while the rest of the groups rely on “personal preference” In having a boyfriend and girlfriend, all the five groups prefer that they both belong to the same church or one respondent put it, same faith. The reasons for their differences in such preference depend on various reasons. To the Protestants, their reasons are anchored on the Bible followed by the teachings of their church then thirdly, because their parents told it. As shown in the results, both Christianity and family affects the students’ decision making regarding issues on courtship but Christianity affects more the Protestants and the Non-Catholic-Non-Protestants than family. In the case of the Catholics and the rest of the groups, the family plays a more important role than Christianity. Parents still affect the way students view courtship. Students respect their parents in various reasons. Regardless of which group the students belong, the outcome of the survey reveals that parents still play a key role in how the students view courtship.