Old ideals and new realities: the changing context of young people's partnerships in Cebu, Philippines

The Philippines has experienced rapid sociodemographic changes in recent years, with implications for young people. This study combines quantitative and qualitative data from Metro Cebu to assess the timing and predictors of young people's partnerships, as well as the context in which these partnerships are occurring. The majority of young people (54%) had premarital sex, though this pattern varied by gender. Wealthier, urban young men, and women with less education and lower reported religiosity, were more likely to have premarital sex. Engagement in risk behaviours was predictive of premarital sex for both males and females. The qualitative data contextualise the circumstances under which young people engage in sex and form partnerships and illustrate how sociocultural norms contribute to gender differences in partnership patterns. Given the 'new' realities of young Filipinos' lives, targeted efforts to support the transition to adulthood are needed to avert potentially adverse life events.