Towards a framework of Christian Filipino-Chinese early grade-schoolers death concepts: A case study

• Main Author: Go, Marlene L.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/3793
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study primarily aimed to provide a framework for understanding Christian Filipino- Chinese early grade-schoolers death concepts through exploring the different factors that influence their understanding: parental attitudes, beliefs and experiences on death as well as children's personal experiences. Death concepts include Smilanskys concepts of universality, irreversibility, finality, causality and old age. The multiple case study method of research was used to gather data from 17 children, ages 7-9 and their parents using open-ended questionnaires on the subject of death discussion, their personal attitudes, beliefs and experiences on death. Children were assessed of their death concepts using Smilanskys (1987) death questionnaire. Results showed that Christian Filipino Chinese parents have positive attitude on death, much influenced by their Christian faith. It is found that children's understanding of death concepts is much influenced by parents attitude on death, their Christian beliefs and death discussion as well as involvement in death experiences. Children's understanding does not necessarily come from their grief experiences but grief experiences always give rise to death discussion. Their understanding is also related to their fear of death. It is therefore recommended that parents involve children in death experiences whenever opportunities arise. Parents need to keep them informed, allow them to ask questions and give honest answers in a language they understand. Suggestions and contents of death discussion were presented to help parents prepare children on death-related issues. For Christians, death is closely linked to their Christian faith and beliefs. Christian parents find it easier to discuss and teach about death in this context.