RECOGNIZING the key role of parents in shaping society, Nestlé Philippines reaffirms its commitment to supporting new parents in the country as they face both the joys and challenges of raising children, the occasion of the United Nations World Parents Day.

Since its beginnings over 150 years ago in Switzerland, Nestlé has sought to help parents raise their children.

The company’s global Nestlé Parenting initiative aims to support parents during the first 1,000 days of their child’s life when the foundations for lifelong development, growth and health are created.

As part of this initiative, Nestlé commissioned the Parenting Index in 2021, a first-of-its-kind study of parenting experiences in 16 countries, including the Philippines, which for the first time identified factors impacting parenthood in the world.

According to the study, in the Philippines, societal and internal pressure stems from a traditional collectivist culture, strong family ties, and the demands of balancing childcare and work to help support the family. Many Filipino parents have very traditional parenting values ​​and attitudes. They rely heavily on what they remember from their own childhood or on the advice of their parents or older relatives. Filipino parents are likely to live with extended families. Close contact with older family members ensures the preservation of tradition, family values, respect and obedience to elders, and respect for the habits and practices of previous generations while getting help to raise a child. Receiving advice, opinions and instructions from parents and feeling affected or pressured by it is typical, with 42% of Filipino parents saying this is what they experience.