A study of conflict in the Filipino Christian family and the place of pastoral counseling

Son, In Seong (2011) A study of conflict in the Filipino Christian family and the place of pastoral counseling. MTh(R) thesis, University of Glasgow in Partnership with the Free Church of Scotland College.

Abstract

The family perpetuates society. Healthy family depends on healthy marriages. Family life is always accompanied by stresses and strains which may give rise to marital conflict. This may result in breakdown of the marriage, leading to problems for any children and also for church and society. During my fifteen years serving as a missionary in Mindanao Island, the Philippines, I have observed that many Christian marriages are under stress, so I decided to study the subject of marriage conflict in the Philippines with the purpose of understanding it better so that I can work out ways in which the church can help couples to have stable marriages. I am also interested in determining the place of pastoral counseling in helping Christian couples to overcome their marital problems. This study begins with the presentation of what motivates me to conduct the research, my purpose and objectives. This is followed by a study of the Filipino family in its historical, cultural, religious and social context. In the next chapter practical theology and pastoral theology are described in order to lay a basis for the study of conflict in Christian families and the place of pastoral counseling. The method of the research is then briefly described. The centre of the thesis is a questionnaire-based survey in which 214 randomly selected married Christians answered a series of questions. Many of these questionnaires were completed by only one spouse of a couple, either husband or wife, but some were completed by both husband and wife independently. They answered a series of questions about their marriage and the frequency and causes of marital conflict and how they deal with it. The results of the survey are analyzed in detail. I go on to study the resolution of marital conflict and the nature and place of pastoral counseling before drawing up a suggested plan of action for local churches in the Philippines to help couples facing conflict in their marriages. I believe that this research shows the need for such programs, including pastoral counseling, to be available in the churches to help prevent serious marital conflict resulting in breakdown of marriages. It is my hope and prayer that, with God's blessing, this will result in stronger marriages and stronger churches in the Philippines.

• Item Type: Thesis (MTh(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies
• Supervisor's Name: Supervisor, not known
• Date of Award: 2011
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2011-82395
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 20 Aug 2021 07:53
• Last Modified: 20 Aug 2021 07:53
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82395
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82395