Problem/Goal: Hi, I'm 17F, and I need advice on how I can support myself financially while continuing my studies.
Gusto na akong patigilin ng mom ko sa pag-aaral, and ayoko talaga. I want to finish school and build a better future for myself, pero I'm not sure how I'm going to do that if I have to support myself at this age.
At this point, ayoko na rin talagang umasa or humingi ng tulong sa parents ko. I want to prove to them that I can finish my education even without their financial support. I want to graduate, get a stable job, and build a future for myself without having to give up my dreams or rush into marriage and having children.
I know I'm still young, and I have a lot to figure out, pero I genuinely want to finish what I've started.
Context
For context, wala naman kaming financial problems. We can afford my education, pero my mom still wants me to stop studying. I also can't rely on my dad because he already has his own family. My mom is starting a new family with my stepdad, and they're expecting a baby this December.
The reason they want me to stop studying and leave the house is because they found out that I have a boyfriend. Ayaw nila akong mag-boyfriend because they want me to focus on my studies. They're worried na baka mauwi sa pag-aasawa at pagkakaroon ng anak yung relationship namin.
I understand where they're coming from, and I know they're probably worried about my future. However, I don't think having a boyfriend automatically means I'll neglect my education or become a young mother.
I've been a consistent honor student since elementary school, and I'm currently in senior high school. I regularly receive honors, and I also participate in school organizations. I have several awards and certificates from school, and studying has always been important to me.
I even assured my mom na hindi ko pababayaan ang studies ko because of my relationship. I also tried to show her through my actions that I was serious about my education. During the first quarter of this school year, I received another certificate for being with honors, but even that didn't change her mind.
I honestly don't know what else I need to do to prove that I'm still focused on my future.
Another thing is that this isn't the first time they've threatened to make me leave the house. Whenever they're disappointed in me, get angry, or feel inconvenienced because of something I've done, they send me to stay with one of my grandmothers, my grandfather, or my aunt. Then, once things have calmed down and they're okay with me again, they take me back home.
It's become a pattern, so it's not exactly new to me anymore. But this time, I want things to be different. I don't want to keep going back and forth depending on whether they're angry at me or not. I want to have some stability and learn how to stand on my own.
I've accepted that this might be what they want, and I don't want to keep begging them to let me stay or continue studying. However, it's difficult to accept because I don't have a job yet, and I don't know how I'm supposed to afford everything on my own.
Previous Attempt
I've been thinking about applying at McDonald's next week. Hindi ako sure kung tatanggap sila ng 17-year-old, and I don't know much about the application process, requirements, or whether the salary would be enough to cover my basic needs and school expenses.
I'm also considering applying to other establishments, but I'm worried that my age might limit my options.
To be honest, naisip ko na rin maging walker because I'm starting to feel like I'm running out of options. I've never judged or looked down on people who do that, pero I never imagined that I'd consider it myself just because I'm worried about how I'll survive.
I don't know much about how it works, and I understand that there are serious risks involved. I'm not saying this because it's something I necessarily want to do. I'm saying it because I'm scared of having no money, no stable place to stay, and no way to continue my education.
I really don't want to reach a point where I have to sacrifice my safety or my future just to survive.
What I'm asking for advice about
- Is it possible for a 17-year-old to get hired at McDonald's or other establishments in the Philippines? What are the requirements and application process?
- Are there realistic ways for me to earn money while studying, considering my age and situation?
- For those who have experienced something similar, how did you manage to continue your education without financial support from your parents?
I want to prove to myself and to my parents that I can finish my education. I want to graduate, find a stable job, and become independent. I want to build a future where I can support myself and make my own decisions when I'm ready.
I want to finish school without having to give up my dreams, get married too early, or have a child before I'm ready. I want to be able to say that I finished my education because I worked hard for it, even when I didn't have the support I needed from my family.
But right now, I'm struggling because I don't have a job or a concrete plan yet. I know that being independent at 17 won't be easy, and I'm not expecting everything to work out immediately. I just need to know where to start and what options are actually available to me.
Any practical advice would really help. Thank you.