Possessions as an extension of self: a phenomenological inquiry on the lives of materially less scholars of La Salle Schools.

• Main Authors: Cabangon, Christine D, Ramos, Francis May P.
• Format: Theses and Dissertations NonPeerReviewed
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: BF Psychology
• Online Access: http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/100/7/CabangonRamos%20...%20-%20Possessions.pdf; http://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/100/
• Institution: De La Salle University

The majority of the Philippine’s population has low socioeconomic status. Lack of adequate financial resources brings barriers to a person’s quality of life. This research emerged from the researchers’ personal interest in the lives of materially less/financially challenged students yet are scholars studying in a school for affluent children. Six less fortunate scholars were identified to be co-researchers of the study from three De La Salle Schools with age range from 16 to 18 years old. The research method used phenomenological. Results of the study showed: material possessions used as status symbol, material possessions used as symbols of interpersonal ties, material possessions used for selfdetermination/ motivation, material possessions used for self-expression, and material possessions as part of the extended self. The eidetic insight in this research is “reliance” on objects. The objects are important to them because of the meanings that they ascribe to these objects, especially their reliance on the objects for their needs and their own knowledge, their emotional attachments, their values, and their own motivation in direct relation to their pursuance of their studies, therefore making objects as simple as a pencil or book irreplaceable and indispensable. The Book is the eidetic symbol in this research. It is, for the co-researchers, a crucial resource of knowledge; it moves them forward as students. It is important and related to themselves because aside from their abilities, skills, and intellect, the Book is also their literacy capital—the main reason why it is a part of themselves; they rely on it for their hopes for a bright future.