Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs: Where We Go Wrong

For those keeping up with my Deep series, chapter 6 is on its way. I just think that this article is of greater importance so I’m posting it first. This article is essentially a response and expansion of this post. Please read all of it and watch the video.

When I was in nursing school, we were taught the value of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It is essentially a diagram or chart that takes the form of a triangle or pyramid that lists down the many needs of human beings. The triangle/pyramid is then divided into five horizontal sections that categorize people’s needs.

Here are those five categories of needs and what each of them entails:

1. Physiologic Needs: The base and largest part of the triangle/pyramid and also the most essential. Also called “animalistic” needs by my peers in college, these are noted for being the most basic of all needs. This includes stuff like air, water (no, alcohol does NOT count) and food which we require on a metabolic level. Then there’s clothes and shelter to protect us from the elements. These are, by far, the most important of our needs as our survival depends on them.
2. Safety Needs: The layer just above physiologic needs. If physiologic needs is about survival, “safety” needs are for the continuation or maintenance of survival.  This includes things such as health needs or making sure that one is free from diseases or any potential health risks. This also includes financial security which often translates to having a job with a steady income.
3. Social Needs: Smack in the center of the pyramid. Like they say, no man is an island and everyone needs others in their lives. These include friends, family or a significant other.
4. Esteem Needs: Esteem needs revolve around things like something we can be proud of. Esteem includes things like getting a prestigious education, a nice house, a cool car and some fame. This is the second to the highest of the needs and its pursuit is not as essential as that of the others.
5. Self-Actualization Needs: Pursuit of moral ideals, prestige as well as creativity and artistry.

The thing is, the Hierarchy of Needs doesn’t teach us what is most important in life as we are all allowed to ascribe value to the aspects of life in whatever way we want. What it does teach us is the order of what we should prioritize in our daily lives. When I look at the nuances of our society, it is often the poor understanding and prioritization of our needs that further worsen our condition as a nation. While yes, I certainly think that the Philippines has the resources necessary to provide plenty for its people, it is the mismanagement of said resources that has led to the stagnation, poverty and general misery that many of our countrymen are now mired in.

In one sermon I attended (one of the few I actually liked), the priest presented an interesting theory on how Jesus fed the hungry. Instead of miraculously creating bread from nothing or making the bread ultra-nutritious, he simply inspired other people to bringing more food. Seeing a little boy who was probably pretty hungry himself give up his own food for others pulled the heart-strings of people who were more well-to-do, inspiring them to provide donations as well. I think that Pinoys have a lot of what they need right in front of them, they just either refuse to share or don’t know what to prioritize. Allow me to provide some valid points so that you can better see what I’m talking about here.

Pinoys Are Breeding Themselves To Death

One of the biggest problems in the Philippines is our runaway population expansion. Now, this might work to our advantage if we could provide a good education to each and every Filipino but that is a task that might as well be impossible with the way national funds continue to be mismanaged.

We can of course blame the Catholic Church, at least partially about this as they tend to be very critical regarding contraception. However, if anyone will ask me, I think this can all be traced back to the over-romanticism of our media. Yes, you heard that right. Yes, you are also welcome to call me a single and bitter old coot if you want to.

But look here. Our songs, films and TV series are almost always centered on romance with little regard for consequences. Because of this, people are geared into thinking that they must always be seeking that significant other and that they are inferior people if they fail to find that “someone” in their lives. You can see it in the influx of local films being made from cheesy and implausible love stories on Wattpad.

At the end of the day, our media only convinces our youth to breed like rabbits in their pursuit of that “special someone”, resulting in a population explosion. Then you have cases like the one where some dumb mother who calls herself “Ayra Dela Cruz Francisco” who’s too young to understand what mothering is really about has the hot idea of treating her baby like a dog.

While I have nothing against romance shows and stories, it’s preposterous to have it as the only thing available to our youths. I’m not saying that it should be taken off the air or internet. I’m only asking that it be minimized and other concepts, such as responsibility and consequences, also be introduced in our mainstream media. Remember, being twenty-six and watching cartoons isn’t immature, being sixteen and pregnant is.

Pinoys Are All About “Yabang”

Another sad fact is the very concept of “Pinoy Pride”. See, unlike say British or Japanese Pride which is more about having a sense of duty and a dedication to excellence, Pinoy Pride is more about being as loud as possible to the point of being an annoyance to others. We flaunt our perceived “achievement” at others no matter how silly it may all seem.

“Basta importante may ipagyayabang ka.” (What’s important is that you have something to boast about.) Sound familiar?

This is the all too common mindset of the typical Pinoy. This is why you have people who bankrupt themselves just so they can throw a prestigious party. This is why some people prioritize gadgets over things like food for their children. This is why there are people who think having cool shoes is better than having a good education.

It’s always about “yabang” (boasting) and not anything practical like proper resource management and plans for the future. Majority of Pinoys simply like to party like there’s no tomorrow with little regard for what will actually happen tomorrow. All to sate our need to look “cool” in front of our others and not for the possible future of our following generations.

Pinoy Implausible Ideals

Everyday, I hear news about Pinoys protesting about justice, freedom and democracy. Unfortunately, I’m going to point out that not all Pinoys even know the meaning of justice, freedom and democracy. For some even, justice is simply about getting even with people who hurt you, freedom is about doing what you want regardless of the consequences and democracy is about choosing your own leader even if they are apparently incompetent and inbred louts.

As a certain British expat states out loud, we try to reach for these ideals even when we have no idea what they actually mean. So instead of pursuing the basics first and making a secure foundation for our future, we create a flimsy society built on lies and deception. It all reminds me too much of the wise man (who built his house on a solid foundation) and the foolish man (who built his house upon unstable ground) in the Bible.