A Study of the Impact of Having an Alcoholic Parent on Children

Abstract

The focus of this study is to discuss and analyze the impact of parental alcoholism on children. This research made use of the case study and the descriptive designs in order to provide an in-depth analysis of the subject for investigation. In-depth face-to face interviews were conducted to gain pertinent information. The informal type of interview was employed using multiple questioning to produce the information necessary for the completion of the research. The samples are residents of Malate, Manila. The researcher preferred Malate for two reasons. First, it is a place wherein different Filipino people belonging to different brackets of society lives. And secondly, Malate was chosen for convenience purposes. The subjects were chosen through non-probability, purposive sampling method. The samples were chosen through a snowballing or chain sampling method wherein the researcher knows someone who know people who knows samples that satisfies the objectives of the study and who were willing to participate in the study. The samples were reduced to its current number of ten because the researcher eliminated samples that were not willing to be interviewed even though their parents have already consented to the interview. Since this study focus on the children of alcoholics, it is better to look at the whole family setting to get a glimpse of what is really happening at the homes where there is parental alcoholism. Families are dynamic systems and are influenced by changes that occur both within and outside of the family system. For Filipinos, the family is generally regarded as a basic social institution that must be cherished, preserved and protected. The Family Code of the Philippines declares that no custom, practice or agreement destructive to the family shall be recognized or given effect. The premise is that the family is a haven where spouses and children expect to get protection, security, and a safe place of nurturing and growth. It is certainly the last place where one should get physically, economically and emotionally affected as a result of parental alcoholism. There are various physical, emotional and economic effects of parental alcoholism that the respondents cited. Physical violence is the most obvious effect on children brought about by parental alcoholism. Bruises, hematomas, lacerations, cuts, abrasions and scratches are the usual reported physical injuries. The emotional effects of parental alcoholism on children vary on each child. The usual emotional effects of parental alcoholism on children are the following: distorted view of reality, delinquent behavior, and depression and lost of interest in studying. Mainly, the economic of the alcoholism of the parent is that the parent could not sufficiently provide for the child's needs for proper growth and development. Since the alcoholic parentis oftentimes drunk and could not work, he could not financially support his family.