This study explored the cases of elopement of a selected group of rural adolescent females. Personal characteristics, parental characteristics, engagement in risk behaviors, and relationship characteristics that could have influenced the elopement were studied. The impact of the elopement on the respondents' lives was also considered. The nine respondents from Alaminos, Laguna, aged 16-20 years old, each underwent an indepthinterview about their elopement cases. The findings of the study were the following: a) age and level of educational attainment seemed to be influential factors contributing to the elopement since most were 16-17 years old at the time of elopement and majority have not finished their secondary education; b) participants' parents had no knowledge of the relationship because of the girls' fear of their parents' anger or disapproval; c) most of the respondents tried out drinking as compared to smoking and taking drugs but this does not seem related to the elopement; and d) all had experienced early relationships, short courtship period, and most had short relationships before the elopement occurred. The elopement has given rise to various social, sexual, financial, and relationship adjustments in the respondents.
ISSN 1655-1702 (Print)
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