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, “Early Harm, Lasting Impact: The Effect of Parental Violence on Educational Outcomes Among Filipino Children,” found that children exposed to parental violence at age 10 were about 50 percent less likely to be enrolled in school by ages 14 to 15.
While overall enrollment remains high, those who drop out are disproportionately from homes where violence occurred.
Nearly two in five, or 39.5 percent, of 10-year-olds experienced physical or emotional violence from a parent in the past six months, a rate that remains high until young adulthood.
Co-author Aaron Carlos Manuel, PIDS project technical specialist, said during a public webinar presenting the findings that “early childhood experiences shape mental health outcomes,” which affects emotional regulation, behavior and school engagement.
The study, co-authored by senior research specialist Lyle Daryll Casas and senior research fellow Dr. Valerie Gilbert Ulep, drew from a long-term national study tracking nearly 5,000 children. Both boys and girls showed reduced odds of staying enrolled, although the link was statistically stronger for boys.
The study also showed that children exposed to violence tend to start school with weaker skills, with about 1 in 4 scoring low in math, reading and science. Their average IQs were also lower.
The authors cited the need for stronger prevention and support systems, emphasizing early interventions that combine positive parenting programs, school-based initiatives, and community support.
Visiting research fellow Dr. Alejandro Herrin of the University of San Carlos-Office of Population Studies, who served as a discussant, called for better measurement of violence, noting that current survey tools do not fully capture key elements such as intention and repetition found in Philippine laws and international standards.
He also recommended examining violence alongside bullying by peers and adults.
 reveals that children in the Philippines who experience parental violence are 50 percent less likely to stay enrolled in school, highlighting the lasting impact of early harm.){kind=link}