I am the eldest child in a brood of five and as typical traditional Filipino family, the eldest child is expected to help run the household along with the parents. Look at my photograph, do I look like a solemn, rule-stricken eldest sister.
I am not that typical eldest child because, first and foremost, my Bozanian passion have made it near impossible for me to get a permanent and well paying job - which made me an entrepreneur (tutorial services are my forte) when (sh)it happens. I do help out financially in running our household but my handicap involves doing household chores which I totally detest (but I do know how to do). Secondly, I am not the standard for good morals and right conduct because I have such a bad temper and a sharp tongue which makes me prone for trouble and all sorts of mischief. Finally, I do not conform to rules and regulations that I do not think necessary for my existence..which means that I follow my own rules
Despite of that, I try to make sure that I know what goes on in my other siblings lives and I do try to help them the best way I can. Its just that sometimes, despite of my good intentions, I have always been mistaken for someone with ulterior motives. It must be how they percieve me in the sordid past that makes me look like an incorrigible person
But what has been bugging me this past few years is the fact that my younger sister and brother have had no qualms at all in marrying that early.
Don't get me wrong but I think to marry after getting a university degree is not the best year for someone to get hitched in a commitment instituted marriage! I cannot imagine how one could ever realize his/her full potential in a chosen career without the pressures marriage can bring to an individual. For men, it has always been on trying to find a company that gives out stable and substantial salary. For women, it has to be a job that provides maternal benefits in less than 6 months and would have to be near their residence. Analyze that! Most companies here in the Philippines give salaries a bit higher than the factory workers for new graduates - particularly to fresh graduates who aren't that stellar in their resumes and/or transcripts. Besides, the trend being done by companies in the Philippines is that they employ on a contractual basis which means, salaries may be substantial but not stable. Aside from that, new graduates should expect plenty of overtime work that is a bit over than the usual hourly rate (if you're lucky!). This could put such a strain in their relationship because either one of the partner is too tired to help out or they are just too tired to care. Woe to expectant mothers and father, ain't it? Maternal benefits aren't given to new employees (unless they are employed in decent companies who truly pay the SSS and PhilHealth on time) until they have been deemed regular employees. There is also a stipulated time of a month where a young mother (and still a contractual worker with SSS benefits) can take care of her young and receive some sort of monetary pay. After a month she is expected to come back to work or else terminated immediately. No work means less food on the table and how does a young couple make ends meet? The poor infant had to be taken care of by an ignorant yaya or a well-meaning relative so that the mother could work despite the dicomfort of leaking breasts and a still painful after birth scar. What would become of the child that is weaned on thawed breastmilk and sometimes milk formula? Residence is another problem. Finding one near the office takes some skill and of course, financial dexterity. Initial problem involves the deposit and advance that most landlords ask from their tenants and of course the utilities that come along with a rented house. Juggling the budget will take its toll on the young couple that has to sacrifice (a lot!) in the name of love and marriage
I am 28 years old but I never would dream of such problems besetting me when I get married. I am quite fortunate that I have a self-monitoring uterus that in spite of the sexual activity that I engage in with my boyfriend of 8 years (we've just had our anniversary) we still manage to enjoy singlehoods perks. Sometimes, we do get pangs of envy whenever we see our nephews but the benefits outweigh the envy we feel. We do intend to marry in two years time but we want to give our children (if we still manage to have one) a better life than what we had.
I am not that typical eldest child because, first and foremost, my Bozanian passion have made it near impossible for me to get a permanent and well paying job - which made me an entrepreneur (tutorial services are my forte) when (sh)it happens. I do help out financially in running our household but my handicap involves doing household chores which I totally detest (but I do know how to do). Secondly, I am not the standard for good morals and right conduct because I have such a bad temper and a sharp tongue which makes me prone for trouble and all sorts of mischief. Finally, I do not conform to rules and regulations that I do not think necessary for my existence..which means that I follow my own rules
Despite of that, I try to make sure that I know what goes on in my other siblings lives and I do try to help them the best way I can. Its just that sometimes, despite of my good intentions, I have always been mistaken for someone with ulterior motives. It must be how they percieve me in the sordid past that makes me look like an incorrigible person
But what has been bugging me this past few years is the fact that my younger sister and brother have had no qualms at all in marrying that early.
Don't get me wrong but I think to marry after getting a university degree is not the best year for someone to get hitched in a commitment instituted marriage! I cannot imagine how one could ever realize his/her full potential in a chosen career without the pressures marriage can bring to an individual. For men, it has always been on trying to find a company that gives out stable and substantial salary. For women, it has to be a job that provides maternal benefits in less than 6 months and would have to be near their residence. Analyze that! Most companies here in the Philippines give salaries a bit higher than the factory workers for new graduates - particularly to fresh graduates who aren't that stellar in their resumes and/or transcripts. Besides, the trend being done by companies in the Philippines is that they employ on a contractual basis which means, salaries may be substantial but not stable. Aside from that, new graduates should expect plenty of overtime work that is a bit over than the usual hourly rate (if you're lucky!). This could put such a strain in their relationship because either one of the partner is too tired to help out or they are just too tired to care. Woe to expectant mothers and father, ain't it? Maternal benefits aren't given to new employees (unless they are employed in decent companies who truly pay the SSS and PhilHealth on time) until they have been deemed regular employees. There is also a stipulated time of a month where a young mother (and still a contractual worker with SSS benefits) can take care of her young and receive some sort of monetary pay. After a month she is expected to come back to work or else terminated immediately. No work means less food on the table and how does a young couple make ends meet? The poor infant had to be taken care of by an ignorant yaya or a well-meaning relative so that the mother could work despite the dicomfort of leaking breasts and a still painful after birth scar. What would become of the child that is weaned on thawed breastmilk and sometimes milk formula? Residence is another problem. Finding one near the office takes some skill and of course, financial dexterity. Initial problem involves the deposit and advance that most landlords ask from their tenants and of course the utilities that come along with a rented house. Juggling the budget will take its toll on the young couple that has to sacrifice (a lot!) in the name of love and marriage
I am 28 years old but I never would dream of such problems besetting me when I get married. I am quite fortunate that I have a self-monitoring uterus that in spite of the sexual activity that I engage in with my boyfriend of 8 years (we've just had our anniversary) we still manage to enjoy singlehoods perks. Sometimes, we do get pangs of envy whenever we see our nephews but the benefits outweigh the envy we feel. We do intend to marry in two years time but we want to give our children (if we still manage to have one) a better life than what we had.