Mothers to Daughters?—Gendered Continuity in Educational Demand Beyond Primary Education: Findings from Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao

This chapter explores factors affecting the continuity of educational demand in Bukidnon, rural Mindanao, using an agricultural socioeconomic survey. The analysis indicates that educational demand is more consistent when advancing to higher levels and less so when stopping at lower levels. The study’s key contribution is its examination of gender-specific educational patterns: (i) Boys’ education is more closely linked to their fathers’ education at the primary level as discussed in Chapter 2 ; however, (ii) the association between mothers’ and children’s education is notably stronger, particularly for daughters at secondary and tertiary levels. This suggests that higher maternal education significantly enhances daughters’ educational attainment compared to sons. This chapter also considers the impact of non-agricultural livelihoods and bilateral descent on these gendered patterns. Interruptions in educational continuity due to income shocks occur at stage-entry points, not only at graduation points. Income constraints play a crucial role in determining access to the next level of education rather than in the completion of the previous level. This finding aligns with existing literature emphasizing the need to address financial barriers, particularly in rural areas. The study concludes that income-related obstacles vary across educational stages, indicating a need for further investigation into these dynamics.