Tech-Voc IRL: How Parents Should Support Their Children Who Are In Tech-Voc

There are various challenges faced by women in non-traditional tech-voc fields. Kaya naman, along with the changes that we continue to work towards, importanteng magkaroon din sila ng matibay na “support system” o mga taong makapagbibigay sa kanila ng practical at emotional support. Ang support system ay maaaring magsimula sa pamilya. 

Paano nga ba nakakatulong ang suporta ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak na nasa tech voc? According to Caloy (35), who is in Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing (NCII), dapat may encouragement from parents ang mga babaeng nasa tech-voc. Caloy admits that their trainings could get intensive and sometimes morale runs low but “sa tamang moral support and motivation [from parents], nakakahugot ako ng determinasyon na magpatuloy sa aking training.” 

Studies show that parental emotional and practical support plays a key role in the success of tech-voc students in their chosen fields. It allows women to thrive in a non-traditional male-dominated environment where, sadly and too often, their capabilities and skills are questioned.

Kung ikaw ay isang magulang ng tech voc student o professional, ito ang ilang sa mga paraan upang mapakita ang iyong suporta:

1. Check in on them

As a parent, it’s your duty and responsibility to check in on how your child is doing. This is true even if they’ve gone out of your care, kaya ‘wag kalimutan na tawagan or i-text sila para mangamusta. 

One of the female tech-voc graduates we interviewed, Janice (34), expressed how her parents provided her with emotional support. Ang mama niya ay nagsilbing taga-pakinig tuwing tinatawagan niya ito upang magkwento. “Tinatanong niya ako kung kumusta na ako sa training ko, if nahihirapan ba ako, and nagkukwento rin ako ng mga karanasan and stories ko during my training at nakikinig naman.” For her, nothing beats this kind of support from your own parents.

2. Show them moral and emotional support

Minsan, napaka-isolating ng tech-voc trainings dahil mas nakatuon sila sa pagpapaunlad ng kanilang technical skills at babad sila sa training. Make sure you remember how hard they’re pursuing their goals and send a word or two of encouragement or moral support. If may alam ka namang resources, send them job applications to jobs na feel mong magugustuhan nila. This shows them na hindi lang through words ang iyong pagsuporta, but also through practical help in their search for jobs.

3. Unlearn harmful gender stereotypes

Nalilimitahan ang mga babae na kumukuha ng tech-voc trainings dahil sa mga gender biases sa ating society. Women in tech-voc are seen as lesser-than in skills and are often doubted by potential employers kung kaya ba nilang gawin ang trabaho. This is why kailangan nila ng family members (at mga kaibigan) who are knowledgeable and can unlearn these harmful gender stereotypes.

Isang example ng harmful gender stereotype towards women in tech-voc ay ang pag-iisip na limited ang career options nila dahil sa kanilang gender, especially sa mga babae na papasok o nasa non-traditional fields. Hindi naman ito tama dahil ang kalidad ng trainings ay hindi gendered. Simply put, hindi naman magka-iba ang training ng mga babae at lalaki sa isang tech voc classroom, pero bakit magka-iba ang tingin natin sa kanila at sa kanilang kapasidad pagdating nila sa industriya?

Isang paraan para ma-unlearn ng ating society ang mga nakakabit na stereotypes sa pagiging babae sa tech-voc katulad ng nabigay na example sa itaas, is to start with yourself as a parent. Ask yourself what other harmful gender-related opinions, beliefs, and stereotypes you’re carrying day to day na makaka-apekto sa iyong anak. Ever heard yourself say ‘Kababae mong tao…’? ‘Yan ay isang example ng pag-stereotype according sa gender, pero dahil nakagawian na natin ito sa ating pananalita, hindi na natin pansin na harmful ito sa ating mga anak. Tandaan, wala dapat na trabahong pambabae o panlalaki lamang!

If you want a more in-depth discussion on how a parent’s support paved the way for a  student to pursue a non-traditional tech-voc course, watch here.

In a country where the hustle for money-making and material success is at an all-time high, people sometimes forget how moral and emotional support could go a long way. This is true for our women in tech-voc fields, too. Their training is grueling and challenging as it is and, at the end of the day, they may just need a familiar ear to turn to so they can share their feelings, stories, and challenges. It’s 2022, let’s all take part in unlearning harmful biases and help lift women up—in whatever field they may be. 

How about you, how are you showing support for the women in tech-voc in your family? Read more articles about tech-voc here.

—

Edukasyon.ph and Investing in Women are committed to providing a safe space for everyone. If you are in need of support due to experiencing gender-based discrimination or violence in the home, school, or workplace, please contact the following hotlines below.

• Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children: 09178671907 / 09178748961
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): (02) 931-8101 to 07
• Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline: 177 / (8)723-0401
• PNP-Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC):  (02) 8532-6690
• Aleng Pulis Hotline: 0919 777 7377
• NBI Violence Against Women and Children: vawcd@nbi.gov.ph