THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILD IN PRESIDENT RAMON MAGSAYSAY STATE UNIVERSITY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

ABSTRACT: This research study aimed to investigate stories and expressions among the lived experiences ofthe selected illegitimate child student in President Ramon Magsaysay State University. Findings revealed thetthe illegitimate child know their rights in different ways like in the school and their family by telling them,through internet or social media by searching her/his rights and in the seminar by the discussion of differentkind of laws. The findings also revealed how each respondent approach their life being illegitimate child. Theparticipant also had different reaction or what they feel after knowing that they are Illegitimate Child but at theend of the day they accept it and continue their life like parents are legal or got married already because theirparents always fulfill their responsibilities as their parents. Research has demonstrated that illegitimate childrencommonly suffered stigma, sense of belonging, damage of self – concept, difficulty in starting or maintainingrelationship, not wanting to have children of their own, feeling compassion for others in similar situation,delinquency and etc. In the light of the foregoing findings, it was recommended that school should open thetopic about illegitimacy to add knowledge about the specific meaning of Illegitimate Child, conduct seminarsabout illegitimacy because in our country we have insufficient knowledge about it, the illegitimate child shouldbe encouraged to express her/his feeling so the society give an action about that and especially give them whatthey really deserved.

KEYWORDS: Illegitimate Children, Child, Lived Experiences, Phenomenological, Delinquency