Sa Puder ng Padre de Pamilya: Exploring the Dynamics of Firstborn Adolescents Raised by Single Custodial Father

In the Philippines, male solo parents constitute a minority, with 38 registered in Cebu’s 2nd Congressional District (DSWD Region VII, 2024)—a marginalized, understudied population. While existing literature addresses single-parent households, limited research explores firstborn adolescents in single-father families, whose roles are shaped by Adler’s Birth Order Theory and Erikson’s psychosocial development frameworks. This study examined their challenges, coping mechanisms, and actionable proposals. Using a qualitative multiple case study design, eight 15–19-year-old firstborn adolescents from the district were selected via purposive sampling until data saturation. Semi-structured interviews (validated and translated into Cebuano) and thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) were employed, with ethical safeguards including informed consent and post-interview emotional support. Results identified three key challenges: emotional deprivation from maternal absence and paternal emotional distance, parentification and heavy familial obligation, and financial scarcity limiting basic and educational needs—aligned with Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. Coping mechanisms included growth-oriented perseverance, social support networks, recreational/emotion-focused strategies, and cognitive reframing, integrating cultural values like pagmamalasakit (care) and faith. Conclusions highlight that these adolescents act as family stabilizers, with resilience shaped by personal agency and cultural context. Proposals include family-centered mental health programs, father–child bonding initiatives, and integrating a Paternal Support Framework into welfare policies to address their unique needs.