Children from low-income Filipino households continue to dream of becoming teachers, nurses, engineers, doctors, and officers in the police and military despite their economic disadvantages, according to a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
The study, titled “Dreams and Small Means: Career Aspirations of Children in the Philippine 4Ps Program,” surveyed nearly 10,000 children and young adults aged 10 to 25 from economically disadvantaged families nationwide.Researchers found that nearly half (47.3 percent) of respondents aspired for professional occupations, while 29.2 percent hoped to enter service and sales occupations. In contrast, only a small fraction expressed interest in agricultural work (0.3 percent) or elementary occupations (0.4 percent), even though many of their parents currently work in these sectors.
According to the study, these aspirations often represent a substantial departure from household heads’ current occupations, many of whom are engaged in elementary or agricultural work.
The findings suggest that disadvantaged children are not lacking in ambition. Many aspire to occupations associated with higher income, professional status, and greater opportunities.
The study also found that children enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and those from non-beneficiary households shared similarly high ambitions for their future careers, reflecting strong hopes for upward mobility across both groups.
Previous evaluations have shown that 4Ps improves school participation and educational investments among poor households. Beyond program participation, however, the study found that parents’ expectations were the strongest influence on their children’s career plans.
“When parents aspire for their child to become a professional, children are substantially more likely to hold professional aspirations themselves,” the researchers said.
While factors such as functional literacy, grit, and perseverance were also associated with professional ambitions, their influence was considerably smaller than that of parental expectations.
The findings underscore the important role families play in shaping young people’s perceptions of future opportunities.
At the same time, the study identified a potential gap between children’s preferred occupations and current labor market demand.
While many respondents aspired for careers in law enforcement, education, and medicine, the country’s most in-demand jobs increasingly include occupations in accounting, information technology, customer service, logistics, marketing, and other rapidly growing sectors.
“If children aspire primarily to occupations with limited absorption capacity while remaining unaware of growing sectors with substantial demand, many may face difficulties translating their aspirations into actual employment,” the study stated.
The researchers recommend strengthening career guidance initiatives for disadvantaged youth, expanding exposure to diverse occupations and role models, improving access to labor market information, and encouraging greater parental involvement in career planning.
The study also identified Family Development Sessions and Youth Development Sessions under the 4Ps as potential platforms for delivering career guidance and information on education and employment.
“Education and health investments create the foundation for advancement, but they must be complemented by interventions that help youth envision better futures and understand how to reach them,” the study said.
As 4Ps marks seven years as an institutionalized social protection program, the study highlights the importance of building on the gains in education and human capital development by helping young people turn their ambitions into attainable careers and improved economic prospects.