Confessions of a "Smokerella" : social experiences and social identities of young Filipino women smokers in urbanized cities

Date

4-2014

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Joyce A. Ocampo

Abstract

This study aims to describe the social experiences of young Filipino women smokers in urbanized cities and their social identities. An in-depth interview was conducted with 15 young Filipino women smokers from Metro Manila, Cavite City and Calamba City with the use of a validated questionnaire guide regarding their early smoking experiences, the social contexts in which they smoke and their social identity construction. The participants' accounts were then subjected to thematic analysis. Findings of this study show that social settings such as university campuses, bars, coffee shops, community basketball courts, sari-sari stores, and sa labas/tapat ng bahay and peer interactions like kwentuhan, inuman and tambay are influential in the initiation and continuation of cigarette smoking practices of young Filipino women in urbanized cities. These everyday friendship interactions, smoking etiquette and common practice contribute to their experiences and it is also through these activities that they reported making new acquaintances and increase in cigarette consumption. Despite the participants' awareness of the negative consequences and images that go with cigarette smoking, they still opted to try and continue the habit because for them, smoking is primarily an escape portal from their own realities and a means to fit in with their friendship networks. Furthermore, cigarette smoking is a means of identity construction through the participants' presentation of a social self as well as through the socially constructed meanings they attach to the habit. Upon analysing the fifteen accounts of young Filipino women smokers, five identities emerged: the 'Pressured Smoker', the 'Pa-Cool Smoker', the 'Good Mother Smoker', the 'Considerate Smoker' and the 'Committed Smoker'.

Language

English

Call Number

LG 993.5 2014 S7 /P36

Notes

status: in process

loc: UPLB Main Library Cataloging Section

Document Type

Thesis

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