The Philippines values and recognizes the family as the foundation of the nation (1987 Constitution, Art. XV, Sec. 1). Being a basic autonomous social institution, the State considers, as a matter of policy, the protection of the family in all aspects, from marriage to motherhood, from birth to the end of life (Art. II, Sec. 12). The laws passed regarding this concern, such as the Family Code, reinforce these principles.

But although these laws were enacted to protect the family, it sacrifices or disregards in some respect the rights of women and somehow discriminates against people who choose not to get married who are also members of the family (and therefore also entitled to protection).

These laws addressing the family refer to the traditional view that a family is one with a mother, father, and children. Absence of one of the three, for reasons other than death (i.e. same sex relationships), will remove it from the mantle of the laws' protection. Also, society brands as broken, families whose father and mother separate. And a family is considered as not complete and happy without a child.