Abstract
Young Filipino women are susceptible to engaging in toxic relationships. The socio-cultural development maintained throughout the years of conservative ideology in the Philippines has retained a hostile dynamic towards women, specifically in the intimate connection they share with their given sex. The researchers aim to explore traditional perspectives and the hierarchy of gender roles that contribute to the abuse of young women in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. Correspondingly, using a phenomenological approach, six (6) young Filipino women aged eighteen to twenty-five years (18-25) were gathered using the purposive sampling technique and then interviewed with a validated research tool. The findings showed a prevalence of social influences, expectations, tolerance, and manipulation as leading causes for remaining in a toxic relationship; all women engaged in specific coping mechanisms towards their partner to extend their connection. Identity and autonomy diminished throughout the relationships, with separation and a re-evaluation of self-worth being the process of healing. Significantly, their experience was unfortunate, yet they expressed that abuse is one of the means to maintain the established gender role of young Filipino women. Nevertheless, support groups and other coping strategies should persevere for life after the toxic relationship.
