Faith, Culture, And Barriers: A Qualitative Study on Maranao Mothers’ Lived Experiences of Family Planning in Marawi City

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Maranao mothers regarding family planning in Marawi City. Grounded in Symbolic Interactionism and supported by the Health Belief Model and the Social Ecological Model, the study examined how faith, cultural norms, gender dynamics, social pressures, and structural constraints shape reproductive decision-making. Using purposive sampling, fifteen married Maranao mothers participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through Colaizzi’s seven-step method with the aid of NVivo software. Findings revealed that family planning is a negotiated and context-dependent practice rather than a simple acceptance or rejection of contraception. Faith functioned as both a moral guide and a source of ambivalence, as mothers sought religious validation before making decisions. Cultural expectations valorizing fertility and motherhood reinforced social pressure, while fear of side effects and misinformation hindered contraceptive use. Gendered power relations positioned husbands as key decision-makers, and stigma discouraged open discussion. Economic hardship and limited access to culturally sensitive services further constrained choices. The study concludes that faith-responsive, culturally grounded, and community-engaged interventions are essential to support informed and respectful reproductive health decisions among Maranao mothers.