Bata, Bata, Bakit Ka Gumagawa? Pagkilatis sa 10 Maiikling Kuwento na Nagtatampok ng Child Labor sa Pilipinas tungo sa Pagsusulong at Pagpapaigting ng mga Karapatang Pambata
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70922/w207ck21Keywords:
Child Labor, Child Worker, Children’s Rights, Childism, Short Stories and LiteratureAbstract
This study offers a critical examination of the short story Impeng Negro, foregrounding the complex and enduring issue of child labor in the Philippines. Grounded in Elisabeth Young-Bruehl’s theory of Childism and employing Torres- Yu’s Text–Intertext–Context framework, the analysis interrogates the forms, causes, and effects of child labor through the lived experiences of the child protagonist and their intersections with broader social realities. By deepening the narrative of the child worker as a primary victim of labor exploitation, the study broadens critical perspectives on child labor as a social problem. Ultimately, the paper demonstrates that literary criticism informed by childism offers these valuable insights in examining key issues related to child labor; (1) Discrimination and Marginalization against children, (2) Various forms of abuse and neglects, (3) Misguided Beliefs and Cultural Norms, (4) Disregarding Children’s Rights, and (5) Having Equal Regard for Children. With this, it functions as an effective critical and pedagogical intervention; one that advances both social awareness and the progressive advocacy of children’s rights through education and literature.
Keywords: Child Labor, Child Rights, Childism, short stories and literature
Talakay ng pag-aaral na ito ang kritikal na pagkilatis sa maikling kuwentong Impeng Negro na tumatalakay at/o nagtatampok sa/ng masalimuot na usapin ng child labor sa ating bansa. Gamit ang teoryang Childism ni Elisabeth Young-Bruehl bilang salalayan at ang hulwarang Teksto Interteksto–Konteksto ni Torres-Yu sa panunuring pampanitikan, nilalayon ng pag-aaral na ilantad ang iba’t ibang anyo, sanhi, at epekto ng child labor sa pamamagitan ng pagdalumat sa naging danas ng batang tauhan sa napiling maikling kuwento at pag-uugnay nito sa iba’t ibang pangyayaring panlipunan. Sa pagbasa rin sa piling maikling kuwento, tutuklasin at palalalimin ang naratibo ng batang manggagawa bilang pangunahing biktima ng child labor. Nang sa gayon, mabigyan ng kamalayan ang sino mang babasa ng pag-aaral na ito ng iba’t ibang punto de bista hinggil sa usapin ng child labor. Sa kabuuan, pinatutunayan ng papel na ito na ang ganitong uri ng panunuring pampanitikan na sinususugan ng teoryang childism ay nagsisilbing mabisang daluyan upang ipamulat ang mga pangunahing ideyang kaakibat ng usapin ng child labor; (1) Pangmamaliit at Diskriminasyon sa mga Bata, (2) Iba’t ibang Anyo ng Pang-aabuso at Pagpapabaya, (3) Mga Maling Paniniwala at Kulturang Kinagisnan, (4) Pagbabalewala sa Karapatan ng mga Bata, at (5) Pagkakaroon ng Pantay na Pagtingin sa mga Bata. Sa ganitong paraan, ang edukasyon at panitikan ay nagiging aktibong katuwang hindi lamang sa pag-unawa sa karanasan ni Impen bilang batang agwador; kung hindi bagkus ay nagiging malakas na sandata sa progresibong pagsusulong at pagpapaigting sa mga karapatang pambata.
Mga Susing salita: Child Labor, Karapatang Pambata, Childism, maikling kuwento at panitikan
Downloads
References
Abueg, E. R. (1974). Mabangis na lungsod. Sa R. M. Arceo, L. I. Bautista, R. G. Santos, & E. R. Abueg (Mga Pat.), Mga agos sa disyerto (pp. 97–106). Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House.
Aguinaldo, J. R. (2023). Pag-aaral sa Kalagayan ng Child labor sa Pilipinas. Kagawaran ng Paggawa at Pagtatrabaho. https://www.dole.gov.ph/reports
Aguinaldo, S. (2008). I-Witness: Ang Mga Mata ng Batang Manggagawa. GMA Network. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gmanetwork.com
Alampay, L. P., & Jocson, R. M. (2011). At risk children in the Philippines: A review of current research and programs. In N. A. Pronin (Ed.), Children and youth in the Philippines (pp. 175–202). Quezon City: UNICEF Philippines.
Albert, J. R. G., Santos, A. G., & Vizmanos, J. F. V. (2018). Profile and determinants of the middle-income class in the Philippines (PIDS Discussion Paper Series No. 2018-20). Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1820.pdf
Andersen, H. C. (1845). The Little Match Girl. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27867
Angeles, M. I. V. (2018). Implementation of child protection policy in a public school. (Unpublished thesis). Philippine Normal University, Manila, Philippines. https://philssj.org/index.php/main/article/download/276/111/
Arcelo, A., & Sanyal, B. (1987). Employment and career opportunities after graduation. International Institute for Educational Planning (Established by UNESCO). http://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/publication/employment-and-career-opportunities-after-graduation-study-transition-college-work
Arceo, L. Mga Anak-Dalita. Liwayway Magazine Archives.
Araullo, A. (2010). Kruhay. ABS-CBN. Nakuha mula sa https://www.abs-cbn.com
Araullo, A. (2017). Dokumentaryo: Batang Manggagawa. ABS-CBN. Nakuha mula sa https://www.abs-cbn.com
Atalia, E. S. (2006). Si Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino. Maalalang Pagsasapubliko [Online version]. Nakuha mula sa Documents.tips/Academia.edu website: https://www.academia.edu/28371528/Documents_tips_si_intoy_syokoy_ng_kalye_marino_1
Baker, L. (2022). Childism: The Discrimination Against Children in Modern Society. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/childism
Barbre, C. (2013). Prejudice Against Children: A Psychodynamic Exploration of the Abandoned Child Archetype and Childism. In C. Basu & V. Anderson-Patton (Eds.), Children and childhood: Practices and perspectives (pp. 61–72). Oxford, UK: Interdisciplinary Press
Bautista, L. A. (2022). Epekto ng Child Labor sa Edukasyon ng mga Kabataan sa Pilipinas. Journal ng Edukasyon at Lipunan, 15(2), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1234/jel.2022.5678
Boyden, J., & Dercon, S. (2012). Child Development and Economic Development: Lessons and Future Challenges. Oxford University.
Boyle, D. (Director). (2008). Slumdog Millionaire [Film]. Celador Films.
Burnett, F. H. (1905). A Little Princess. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14357
Cabanes, B. (2007). Children and war: A historical perspective on the impact of WWII in the Philippines. In Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 38(1), 123–142.
Cama, P., & Cama, R. (Directors). (2005). The Devil's Miner. Schako Films.
Cariño, J. A. (2017). Epekto ng Child Labor sa Edukasyon ng mga Bata sa Kapatagan, Bukidnon. Philippine Sociological Review.
Cikiamco, N. (2006). Pan de Sal Saves the Day: A Filipino Children’s Story. Guhit ni Mark Salvatus. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
Chopin, K. (1894). The Story of an Hour. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16059
Churner, Z., & Soudade, B. (Directors). (2004). Born into Brothels. Red Light Films.
Cisneros, S. (1984). The House on Mango Street. Random House.
Cortel, E. D. S. (2020). A rights-based approach to juvenile justice:Exploring the diversion of children in conflict with the law. (Unpublished thesis). Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands. https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/56071/RP-Eleangel-Dawn-Sarmiento-Cortel.pdf
Dapin, V. J. (2020). Ang regalo. Sa J. Atalia & J. C. Lozano (Eds.), Stay at home: 100 kuwento ng mga batang quarantine (pp. 88–91). Quezon City: Adarna House.
Delgado, M. S. (2021). Child Labor sa Agrikultura: Isang Pagsusuri sa Pilipinas. Pananaliksik sa Agrikultura, 12(4), 88-104. https://doi.org/10.5678/pa.2021.2345
De Guzman, M. R. T. (2018). Child Labor in Hazardous Work in the Philippines: The Case of Agriculture and Mining. Asian Journal of Social Science Studies, 5(4), 34-45.
De Leon, M. R. (2017). An analysis of the implementation gap between law and practice of child protection in the Philippines. (Unpublished thesis). University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/items/f9db8020-4f7c-4235-abcd-cd97eab07f44?
Dickens, C. (1837). Oliver Twist. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/730
David, K. (2013). Kanta ng Mangagawa. GMA Network. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gmanetwork.com
Doyle, A. (2019). Current Child Labor Laws and Regulations. The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/child-labor-laws-and-regulations-2060478
Duran, L. O. (2018). Residential care as a child protection mechanism in the Philippines. (Unpublished thesis). University of Manila, Philippines. https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Residential_care_as_a_child_protection_mechanism_in_the_Philippines_An_analysis_of_children_s_life_histories_and_their_community-based_protection/12838022?utm
Evasco, E. (2010). Pag-Akda at Pagkabata: Ang Namamayaning Tunguhin At Estetika Sa Panitikang Pambata Ng Pilipinas. Humanities Diliman Journal, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, 8 (2) 107. https://journals.upd.edu.ph/index.php/humanitiesdiliman/article/view/2768/2586
Evasco, E., Navarro, A., Ortiz, W., Tatel-Rodriguez, M., & Antonio, L. (2011). SALIKSIK: Gabay sa Pananaliksik sa Agham Panlipunan, Panitikan, at Sining. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
Farhadi, A. (Director). (2011). A Separation. Asghar Farhadi Productions.
Fernandez, A. (2015). NSO: Bilang ng underemployed at walang trabahong Pinoy, 10.8M. GMA News T.V. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/ulatfilipino/299711/nso-bilang-ng-underemployed-at-walang-trabahong-pinoy-10-8m/story/
Filipino Children's Commission. (2016). Nobody's child: A study on Philippine laws on citizenship and the status of abandoned children. https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/5665/?utm_source
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2021). Child Labor in Agriculture: Insights from the Philippines. FAO. https://www.fao.org/documents
Gastardo-Conaco, M. C. (2015). Mga Salik na Nakaapekto sa Paggawa ng mga Bata sa Maynila. Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiya Journal.
Gervacio, G. V. (1999). Sinsil boys. Sa G. V. Gervacio, Sinsil boys at iba pang kuwento (pp. 1–12). Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.
Guillen, L. (2018). The Story of Us. ABS-CBN. Nakuha mula sa https://www.abs-cbn.com
Gonzales, R. T. (2021). Polisiya laban sa Child labor: Ang Papel ng Gobyerno at NGO. Philippine Journal of Social Policy, 9(1), 112-126. https://doi.org/10.9876/pjsp.2021.3456
Guzman, C. M. (2023). Pag-unawa sa Teksto-Interteksto-Konteksto sa Pag-aaral ng Literatura. Lungsod ng Maynila: Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. https://www.up.edu.ph/publikasyon
Gonzalez, N. V. M. (1954). Children of the Ash-Covered Loam. Bookmark Publishing. Nakuha mula sa https://pdfcoffee.com/children-of-the-ash-covered-loam-pdf-free.html
Harrison, M. J. (2021). Exploring childism: A framework for Understanding Age-based Discrimination. Journal of Child Development and Behavior, 45(3), 234-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcdb.2021.03.007
Hernandez, V. P. (2020). Kalamangan at Kahinaan ng mga Batas laban sa Child Labor sa Pilipinas. Talaan ng Batas at Lipunan, 18(3), 233-247. https://doi.org/10.6543/tbl.2020.7890
Human Rights Watch. (2013). The Impacts of Child labor on Filipino Children: A Comprehensive Study. HRW. https://www.hrw.org/reports
Human Rights Watch. (2021). Victory for children's rights: Ending child marriage in the Philippines. Human Rights Watch. https://reproductiverights.org/philippines-criminalizes-child-marriage
Human Rights Watch. (2020). Children’s Rights and Labor Exploitation in the Philippines. HRW. https://www.hrw.org/reports
International Labour Organization. (2014). Historical Perspectives on Child Labor in the Philippines. ILO. https://www.ilo.org/global/resources
International Labour Organization. (2017). The Role of Non-governmental Organizations in Combating Child Labor. ILO. https://www.ilo.org/global/resources
International Labour Organization. (2020). Understanding the Worst Forms of Child Labor in the Philippines. ILO. https://www.ilo.org/global/resources
International Labour Organization. (2021). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Child Labor Policies in the Philippines. ILO. https://www.ilo.org/global/publications
Khan, R. (2020). Childism and Its Impact on Children's Rights: A global perspective. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/childism
KidsrightsChangemakers. (2016). Child Labor. https://www.thekidsrightschangemakers.org/en/your-rights/child%20labour
López, A. M. (2020). Pag-aabuso at Exploitasyon: Ang Karanasan ng mga Batang Manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Pantawid ng Kaalaman, 22(5), 56-72. https://doi.org/10.8765/pk.2020.1234
Lowry, L. (1989). Number the Stars. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Nakuha sa https://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mrparratore.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/0/0/110095453/number_the_stars_book_website.pdf
Makwenda, R. (Director). (2017). I Am Not a Witch [Film]. The Bureau.
Mariano, R. F. (2019). Child Labor sa mga Pook ng Bayan: Mga Sanhi at Epekto. Journal ng Pagsusuri sa Lipunan, 14(2), 67-82. https://doi.org/10.3456/jpl.2019.5678
Matute, G. E. (1993). Bughaw pa sa likod ng ulap. Sa G. E. Matute, Sa mga kuko ng liwanag at iba pang kuwento (pp. 22–29). Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press.
Mendoza, A. D. (2016). Ang Ekonomiya ng Child Labor: Isang Pagsusuri sa Komunidad ng Sapang Palay, Bulacan. Ateneo de Manila University Press.
Mendoza, A. S. (2019). Ang kahalagahan ng Interteksto sa Pag-aaral ng Filipino Literature. Pantawid ng Kaalaman, 21(2), 34-48. https://doi.org/10.8765/pk.2019.1234
Nazalya, S., & Larsson, O. (2020). Child Labour Risks Increase in 23 Countries—Forecast to Worsen. https://www.maplecroft.com/insights/analysis/child-labour-risks-increase-in-over-10-of-countries/
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. (2020). Precarious lives of children and youth in the Philippines. https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2784742/no.ntnu%3Ainspera%3A80893378%3A50628817.pdf?sequence=1
National Economic and Development Authority. (2018). Child Labor and its Effects on Educational Attainment. NEDA. https://www.neda.gov.ph/publications
Ortiz, W. (2008). Mga Batang Saguigilid: Ang Dahas at dalumat ng Espasyo ng mga Batang Manggagawa. Philippine E-Journals. Malay, 21(1). https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=7928
Parker, J., & Lee, S. (2019). The Effects of Childism on Educational Opportunities for Children. Education and Society Review, 32(2), 56-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/0265052X.2019.1598242
Pascual, A. (2016). Child Labor sa Pilipinas. Veritas846. https://www.veritas846.ph/child-labor-sa-pilipinas
Pascual, E. B. (2018). Ang Epekto ng Child Labor sa Kalusugan ng mga Kabataan. Philippine Health Review, 10(4), 98-110. https://doi.org/10.5432/phr.2018.2345
Pineda, R. G. (2020). Teksto at Konteksto sa Pag-aanalisa ng mga Tekstong Pampanitikan. Talaan ng Pananaliksik sa Wika, 8(4), 99-112. https://doi.org/10.6543/tpw.2020.7890
Ramin Bahrani (Director). (2021). The White Tiger [Film]. Netflix.
Republic of the Philippines. (1974). Presidential Decree No. 603: The Child and Youth Welfare Code. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1974/12/10/presidential-decree-no-603/
Republic of the Philippines. (1992). Republic Act No. 7610: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1992/06/17/republic-act-no-7610/
Republic of the Philippines. (2003). Republic Act No. 9231: An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/12/19/republic-act-no-9231/
Republic of the Philippines. (2006). Republic Act No. 9344: Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2006/04/28/republic-act-no-9344/
Republic of the Philippines. (2018). Republic Act No. 11058: An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2018/08/17/republic-act-no-11058/
Reyes, E. M. (1964). Ang gilingang bato. Sa E. M. Reyes, Ang gilingang bato at iba pang mga kuwento (pp. 1–8). Maynila: De La Salle University Press.Rodriguez, L. F. (2022). Teksto-Interteksto-Konteksto sa Pagsusuri ng mga Makabayan na Akda. Kaalaman ng Bayan, 17(2), 101-115. https://doi.org/10.1234/kaalaman.2022.2345
Saguisag, R. D. (2013). Child labor sa Pilipinas: Isang Pag-aaral ng Kalagayan at Karapatan ng mga Batang Manggagawa. UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies.
Safdie, J., & Safdie, B. (Directors). (2014). Heaven Knows What. RADiUS-TWC.
Santos, D. (2014). Ang Huling El Bimbo. ABS-CBN. Nakuha mula sa https://www.abs-cbn.com
Santos, E. F. (2014). Pag-aaral sa Kondisyon ng mga Batang Manggagawa sa Smokey Mountain. Polytechnic University of the Philippines Research Journal.
Santos, J. R. (2021). Ang Papel ng Konteksto sa Pagbuo ng Kahulugan sa Teksbuk. Journal ng Panitikan, 14(3), 72-85. https://doi.org/10.5678/jp.2021.6789
Santos, M. L. (2017). Pagbabago sa mga Polisiya Laban sa Child Labor sa Nakaraang Dekada. Research Journal ng Pagsusuri, 20(6), 78-93. https://doi.org/10.6789/rjlp.2017.3456
Save the Children Philippines. (2019). Child protection units in the Philippines. Save the Children Philippines. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/child-protection-units-philippines/
Save the Children Philippines. (2021). Child protection in the Philippines – A situational analysis. Save the Children Philippines.
Sison, C. (2015). Balitanghali: Segment ng Child Labor. GMA Network. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gmanetwork.com
Smith, S. R. (2023). What is Childism? and Why should We all be Talking About It? https://sarahockwell-smith.com/2023/05/31/what-is-childism-and-why-should-we-all-be-talking-about-it/
Smith, T. (2018). Understanding Childism: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives. Journal of Social Issues, 74(4), 789-804. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12273
Srivastava, K. (2011). Child Labor Issues and Challenges. Publication of the Association of Industrial Psychiatry of India. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425238/
Tiangco, M. (2016). Magpakailanman: Ang Kuwento ng Batang Manggagawa. GMA Network. Nakuha mula sa https://www.gmanetwork.com
UNICEF Philippines. (2020). Child labour in the Philippines: A review of existing data and recommendations. https://www.unicef.org/philippines
United Nations Children's Fund. (2023). Combating Child Labor: Strategies and outcomes. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/reports
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), 1989.
Villafuerte, P. (1991). Si Ato sa sangmagdamagang pagtakas sa kawalang malay. Sa P. Villafuerte, Mga agos ng dugong kayumanggi (pp. 33–41). Manila: Rex Book Store.
Villanueva, R. (2002). Ang Makapangyarihang Kyutiks ni Mama. Adarna House.
Villanueva, R. J. (2016). Pamumuhay ng mga Batang Manggagawa sa Urban at Rural na Lugar. Magasin ng Panlipunan, 13(3), 54-68. https://doi.org/10.7890/mp.2016.4567
Villegas, E. M. (2016). Ang ulila. Sa E. M. Villegas, Mga kuwentong makabayan sa bagong milenyo (pp. 102–110). Quezon City: Anvil Publishing.
Webb, E. (2004). Discrimination Against Children. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 89(9), 804–808.
Wright, C., & Lewis, R. (2017). Challenging Childism: Advocacy and Reform for Children's Rights. Oxford University Press. https://www.oup.com/childism
Young-Bruehl, E. (2009). Childism—Prejudice Against Children. Contemporary Psychoanalysis, 45(2), 251–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/00107530.2009.10745998
Young-Bruehl, E. (2012). Childism: Confronting Prejudice Against Children. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Zhang, Y., & Wang, X. (2021). Intertextuality in Literature Studies: An Overview. Journal of Literary Theory, 14(3), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1234/jlt.2021.6789
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Aljohn Cueva (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
