Books

Batan, C.M. (2010) Batong-bahay: Naratibo ng kahirapan at tagumpay ng isang karaniwang pamilyang Pilipino (Stone house: A Filipino family’s narrative of poverty and success) UST Publishing House, Manila Philippines. [Creative non-fiction about my family]

Batan, C.M. (2000) TALIM: Mga Kuwento ng Sampung Kabataan (TALIM: Lifehistories of Ten Young People) published in Filipino by the Social Research Center, UST. [An advocacy book for rural youths with illustrations. Based on the MA thesis in Sociology, UP Diliman, Quezon City.]

Book chapter

Batan, C. M. (2005). Texting as style: Preliminary observation on cellular phone use among Filipino college students. In G. Holm & H. Helve (Eds.), Contemporary Youth Research: Local Expressions and Global Connections: Ashgate Publishing Company.

Journals

Batan, C. M. (2009).  An exploratory view of ‘idle youth’ in the Philippines. UNITAS, 82 (1), 225-236.

Batan, C. M. (2007).  Two Theoretical Perspectives on "Youth Work" in the Philippines. UNITAS, 80 (2), 159 - 182.

Batan, C. M. (2004). Rethinking Youth Transition: Directions for Future Research in Developing Societies. Res Socialis: Journal of UST Social Research Center, 1(2), 106-118.

Batan, C. M. (2004). Occupational aspirations of Filipino youth at the edge of the millennium: Gender, locality, education and social class and its influences on work choices. UNITAS, 77 (4), 505-506. ISSN 0041-7149.

Batan, C. M. (2004). Of strengths and tensions: A dialogue of ideas between the classics and Philippine sociology. UNITAS, 77 (2), 163-186. ISSN 0041-7149.

Batan, C.M. (June, 2001) Education of the Filipino Rural Young in the Age of Information: Cases Drawn From Sociological Experience. UNITAS. Quarterly Scholarly Journal of the University of Santo Tomas.  Volume 74 No. 2. Pp. 211-222.

Batan, C.M. (January, 2001). The Making of the Tomasian Cable TV. Media.byte. Official Journal on Information Technology by the University of Santo Tomas. Volume I. No. 1.

Batan, C.M. (September, 1999) Understanding the Audience. The Ed Tech Journal. Educational Technology Center, University of Santo Tomas. Volume I. No. 1.

Abstract

This dissertation explores the life experiences of a particular group of young people in the Philippines known as the “istambay”, a Filipino term derived from the English phrase “on standby”. The study examines the concept of istambay and the dynamics of inactivity in the lives of selected Filipino youth. It illustrates the habitus, life contexts, and the web of crises that these youth negotiate within the protective realms of family and religion, and the dismal labour conditions in the country.  Methodologically, the study utilizes a mixed methods approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Primary qualitative data are derived from case studies, songs, field notes, and ethnographic observations. Secondary quantitative analyses are conducted using the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) 2002 and a perceptual survey.

The study is theoretically oriented around Mills’ sociological imagination and Bourdieu’s theory of practice. It illustrates that the istambay phenomenon is more than a personal trouble (problematic istambay). It is a public issue (istambay problematique). The study also shows the varying levels of vulnerability experienced by different types of istambay. Research findings reveal the istambay phenomenon is a manifestation of the interrelated problems in the educational system and the labour market of the Philippines. The consequence of inactivity among these istambays is found to be mitigated by the culture of care provided by Filipino families combined with solace derived from the church. However, istambays are also found to express disconnection from the state because of the government’s inability to provide employment for them, resulting in their quest for employment “abroad” (overseas) as an alternative. Youth inactivity, although moderated by a familial-faith dynamic, highlights how complex forms of inequalities in the Philippines marginalize the istambays from gaining legitimate active status in Philippine society.