SOCIOLOGY

M-F 3:00-5:00PM

FILIPINO FAMILY

Submitted by:
RACHO, RAPHA S. BSARCH 3

Submitted to:
MR.
 FILIPINO FAMILY
Filipinos are generally family oriented. Because of this many actions, plans & goals in life of an
individual are either affected or is centered upon the family. According to Timbreza (2003),
family success is the measure of a successful life for the Filipinos. He lists some sayings of
Filipino tribes that has somethingto do with how they view the Family.
Boholanos: Ang familia nga nagatanum ug kaayohan nag-ani ug kapalaran; ang nagatanum
ugkadautan, nag-ani og lonlon kasakitan (The family that sows goodness reaps fortune; the one
that sows evil reaps suffering)
Analysis: Here we can see the concept of karma among Filipinos. It is different from Buddhism,
it has something to do however with reversion that whatever a person does or does not do in the
family, it will have either a positive or negative consequence in the future to him/her or his/her
family.
Bicolanos: An harong man palasyo kun an laog kuwago, marhay pa ang payag na laog tao (A
house may be a palace, but if the owner is an owl, better is a hut where the owner is a human being)
Tagalogs: Mabuti pa ang kubo na ang nakatira ay tao, kaysa isang bahay na bato na ang nakatira
aykuwago (A hut where a person lives is better than a house of stone where an owl resides.)
Analysis: These sayings are somewhat the same as both reflect the value place upon the persons
in the family rather than the economic influences as symbolize by the house of stone or the
palace.
Ilocanos: Ti timpuyog ti pamilia isut mangted ti kired ken pigsa (Family harmony provides
fortitude & strength). Uray awan ti kukuam, no la ket nauros ti pamiliam (Even though you dont
have property as long as you have a harmonious family).Analysis: Here we can see how happiness
in the family takes precedence above all among the Filipinos. This can be evident in todays
televised drama/shows as either centered upon the family or has something great to do with the
family & family dynamics.

The Filipino family is referred to as mag-anak . It is good to note that this also reflects the
importance of value placed upon children in the family as a husband & wife tandem does not make
a mag-anak status only a mag-asawa status. Thus, a child completes the concept of family
among Filipinos which could reflect upon: how children are seen as blessings, how other people
perceive the husband as manlyif he can produce more offspring, & how the wife is seen as finally
realizing her womanhood & for herself feels that her relationship with her husband is cemented.

Realization
The typical Filipino family is monogamous with exemption on non-Christians (e.g. Moslems).
However, no matter if it is nuclear or extended; the same sense of solidarity is still observable even
today. During times of distress or problems, the Filipino family bond is exemplified by family
members helping each other. In instances as such we can see that although most families nowadays
(in urban areas) are essentially nuclear, functionally it is extended as kinsmen would identify each
other & would likely help someone if they know they are related to a certain individual.
Change is constant & the basic unit of society- the family- is not immune to it. It is composed of
human beings & human beings naturally adapt to the environment to survive. The environment is
continually changing prompting people to change their interaction with it & one another also. To
this, we are challenged as Filipinos to see if the changes we welcome in our homes are actually
working to our advantages- do these promote better relationships & worthwhile companionship
among family members & among families in the society? Everything has a consequence although
many forces outside the family are affecting it, it has still for the most part remained as it is among
Filipinos- the most important area to be successful. Ties or solidarity with each other are very
much seen during calamities & problems. Bayanihan (helping each other in the community like in
the transferring of homes) although is slowly fading in general, we can still observe concern during
times of illness or celebration during times of triumph among Filipino families.

Philippine Culture - Common Family Traits

Filipinos highly value the presence of their families more than anything. Regardless of the liberal
influence they have gotten from the west, the family remained the basic unit of their society. This
trait clearly shows among Filipinos abroad who suffer homesickness and tough work just to
support their families back home in the Philippines.

In a traditional Filipino family, the father is considered the head and the provider of the family
while the mother takes responsibility of the domestic needs and in charge of the emotional growth
and values formation of the children. They both perform different tasks and being remarked
separately by the children. Children see their mothers soft and calm, while they regard their fathers
as strong and the most eminent figure in the family.

Because of this remarkable closeness, parents sometimes have difficulties letting go of their
children and thus results to having them stay for as long as they want. For this somehow explains
why grandparents are commonly seen living with their children in the Philippines. Unlike the way
people grow old in the west where they are provided with outside homes and care giving, Filipino
elderly enjoy their remaining lives inside their houses with their children and grandchildren
looking after them.
Another trait Filipinos made themselves exceptional from others is their strong respect for elders.
Children are taught from birth how to say po and opo to teach them as early as possible how
to properly respect their elders. These words are used to show respect to people of older level.
Even adults will be criticized for not using these words when speaking with their parents or people
older than them. Inside the family, the parents are expected to receive the highest respect from the
children along with the elder siblings; as they are given more responsibilities to look after younger
siblings when parents are not around.

Children fighting back or addressing parents or elder siblings with arrogant tone are not at all
tolerated. They are also not allowed to leave the house without their parents permission. Upon
arriving home, conservative families expect children to practice the kissing of hands or placing
their parents or elder family members hand to their foreheads with the words mano po as a sort
of greeting.

Even after finishing school, Filipino children are not obliged to get out of their homes unless they
want to. In fact, most of them keep their close relationship to their parents by staying at least before
they get married. Leaving them happens only when they really have to, but usually, at least one
child, depending on his willingness and financial capabilities, stay even after marriage to support
and look after their aging parents.

Moreover, Filipinos keep close connection with other relatives. They recognize them from 2nd
degree to the last they can identify. As Filipinos say, not being able to know a relative is like
turning their backs from where they come from.
 FILIPINO FAMILY THEN AND NOW

The Filipino family in today's society has grown a lot more complex and far-flung from the
traditional practices though some of the old traditions are still retained most of them have
become a hybrid of what the Filipino family used to be.
1. Filipino children are not obliged to get out of their homes unless they want to. In fact, most of
them keep their close relationship to their parents by staying at least before they get married or
even after.
Today most Filipino children still stay at home living with their parents after they get married
due to the fact that Filipino children have this certain connection with their parents and being
independent as a teen is not very common.

2. Today neither the father and the mother considered the head and the provider of the family
because before only the father who is considered the head and the provider while the mother
takes responsibility of the domestic needs and in charge of the emotional growth and values
formation of the children.

3. Today Filipino families would usually watch movies or shows together. Before, the family
bonding time was eating together at the dinner table or going to church together every Sunday.
Now watching movies is considered as the family value time and is very much of a treat for the
whole family.

4. Filipino teenagers and their parents are now more open minded to each other. Not so long ago
trying to talk back against your parents was considered a sign of disrespect and a grave sin. Now,
Filipino parents tend to be more lax and open about their children's opinion.

5. Filipino families today use Skype or Yahoo Messenger to communicate with OFW loved ones.
With technology advancing every day, its for certain that Filipinos would take advantage of this
opportunity to talk with their loved ones. We used to send snail mails back then wherein you
would need to wait for at least month to hear from your relatives. Now, with just a click of a
button you can instantly talk to your family and even see them as well with the use of a webcam.
6. The "beso" Filipino families used to practice the "mano" to the elderly. Now, just doing "beso"
gesture or a simple smack to the cheeks is already considered as a sign of respect and honor to
the elderly.
7. The Pacquiao Day
One of the amazing things that I love about Filipino families is their love for sports and
turning a simple boxing championship fight into a family bonding time. The never-ending fights
of Manny Pacquiao has always been a family favorite even with all the gore spitting out of the
screen we still give our all-out support to one of our favorite athletes.

8. The Starbucks Mania

The first time Starbucks stepped on our land it instantly became the craze of the Filipino
family. Before, drinking coffee was just a habit every afternoon after merienda time. Now,
Filipino families tend to spend more time drinking coffee at Starbucks rather than eating
merienda.
9. Filipino families use text as a major means of communication.
Before, the parents had no idea where their children hangout and would usually ask the
neighbors if they saw their child. Now, with just one flick of the thumb the parents would know
where their children are.

10. Filipino families used to celebrate Holy Week as a serious Catholic tradition with every
member of the family attending mass and going on a Holy pilgrimage to every Church near their
home. Now, Filipino families would usually go out to the beach and other summer spots where
they can relax and spend more time with the family.