Needs as Objects of Development

by Alan S. Cajes

Human needs are the objects of human development. Needs are kinakailangan in Filipino and gikinahanglan in Visayan.

In the negative sense, need is a deprivation – akin to kawad-on in Visayan -- that must be satisfied or fulfilled. In the positive sense, need, when satisfied, leads to a state of happiness or well-being that makes a person an important resource in a community. Need, in this positive sense, is not a deprivation, but a potential or a source of power, capability or capacity.

Development interventions, therefore, should be designed in such a way that the needs to be addressed are not simply deprivations to be satisfied, but are also capacities to be unleashed. For example, meager income is a deprivation; thus, increase in income is a development objective. However, such increase in income must be at a level that will enable a person to lead a decent life.

In other words, an increase in income should lift a poor person out of poverty. Thus, if a person earns ten pesos (PHP10) per day and the minimum daily income should be fifty pesos (PHP50), the increase in income should be at least forty pesos (PHP40) per day.

The table below shows the human needs as discussed by Maslow and Max-Neef. It summarizes the different needs --  the objects of development interventions.

Table 1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow
Hierarchy	Need
Self-actualization	Morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts
Esteem	Self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, respect by others
Love/ belonging	Friendship, family, sexual intimacy
Safety	Security of: body, employment, resources, morality, the family, health, property
Physiological	Breathing, food, water, sleep, homeostasis, excretion

Table 2. Max-Neef's Funfamental Human Needs

Manfred Max-Neef
Need	Being (qualities)	Having (things)	Doing (actions)	Interacting (settings)
subsistence	physical and mental health	food, shelter, work	feed, clothe, rest, work	living environment, social setting
protection	care, adaptability, autonomy	social security, health systems, work	co-operate, plan, take care of, help	social environment, dwelling
affection	respect, sense of humour, generosity, sensuality	friendships, family, relationships with nature	share, take care of, make love, express emotions	privacy, intimate spaces of togetherness
understanding	critical capacity, curiosity, intuition	literature, teachers, policies, educational	analyse, study, meditate, investigate,	schools, families, universities, communities,
participation	receptiveness, dedication, sense of humour	responsibilities, duties, work, rights	cooperate, dissent, express opinions	associations, parties, churches, neighbourhoods
leisure	imagination, tranquility, spontaneity	games, parties, peace of mind	day-dream, remember, relax, have fun	landscapes, intimate spaces, places to be alone
creation	imagination, boldness, inventiveness, curiosity	abilities, skills, work, techniques	invent, build, design, work, compose, interpret	spaces for expression, workshops, audiences
identity	sense of belonging, self-esteem, consistency	language, religions, work, customs, values, norms	get to know oneself, grow, commit oneself	places one belongs to, everyday settings
freedom	autonomy, passion, self-esteem, open-mindedness	equal rights	dissent, choose, run risks, develop awareness	anywhere