The Filipino Family

The Filipino family is the basic unit of Philippine society. It is likewise the basic unit of educational system, for it is in the family that a child starts his first training in becoming a worthy member of the human family. The first socialization of the individual takes place in his family setting. No matter what values, behavior and ways of life he may acquire later in life, he always goes back to his roots. It is very difficult to discard altogether what he has intetnalized in the long years he stayed within his family circle.

The old definition of "family" required that the cohabiting couple should be married, united by blood or by adoption. Contemporary society has adopted a less rigid definition. A family may not be bound by marriage but by what society approves as a result of community experience, let's take "karang" for example which was practice by other ethnic groups here in our place. It is a traditional wedding which the union of two man and a woman is just as worthy as being married in papers.

Father and mother, married or not, who live with their children is a "nuclear" family; while the extended family includes kinship group from either or both relatives of the father and the mother. In the Philippines the kinship group includes aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, nieces and nephews, parents on both sides. This bilateral arrangement by blood or adoption is a consanquineal family.

The nuclear family may be classified into two types:the family of orientation and the family of procreation. The group to which an individual originally belongs before marriage is the family of orientation while the new family where he/she intends to beget children of his/her own is the family of procreation.

When two or more nuclear families live together as a single household, the family becomes extended. The extended family may consists of several families of orientation mixed with family of procreation all of them united either by blood or adoption. The classification is not rigid because if an individual marries and brings the spouse to live with his/her parents and siblings, or a widowed mother or aunt or uncle decides to join a nuclear family, then it also is called an extended family. On the other hand in an extended family where the parent/s died, it becomes nuclear family again..

According to studies, there are more nuclear families in the rural areas than in urban centers. The source of this increase in urbanized areas is the practice of relative to send their children to live with their affluent kinsmen, thus Increasing the size of the household. Besides, urban families usually enjoy higher incomes so relatives from the provinces tend to seek their help in finding jobs or places to stay in while these members are working or studying in the city.

Parents feel more secure if they know their children are with relatives rather in boarding house; besides it is cheaper to live with city relatives, although a network of utang na loob is involved. Affordable lodging is scarce in cities, hence, a doubling of household results.

Inspite of modernization, the Filipino family remains traditional in many aspects of life. The women's movement for equality with men is producing a lot of questions but in general, women are satisfied with the present status where they rule men by open equality but by subtle suggestion. Although the father is the authority figure, he would not make a final decision without the mother's consent (sana all). Many wives are considered partners, not subordinates who will follow without question whatever the husband wishes and desires.

Kinship system is also very much observed in Filipino Family. There is the so-called "compadrazco" ritual relationships, where baptismal sponsors and wedding sponsors of the children also acquire similar status as the consanguineal relative. The parents of the bride and groom and the wedding sponsors, and the baptismal sponsors are compadre to each other, hence, the term compadrazco. This network of relationships enlarges the kinship system.

Kin relationship will continue to be strong but there seems to a weakening of the concept of mutual, reciprorocal, social obligations and economic support among the members.. In order to strengthen the relationship, family-reunions are being organized with the injunction to bring all members. On these occasions, family tree is constructed indicating its origin and showing the position of each member in the kinship system which is presented specifically to the younger generations. the younger members are introduced to their elders and to other children of kinsmen. This strengthens kinship ties and forsters mutual cooperation and shw social involvement. The achievements and accomplishments of individuals in the family are announced to serve as a source of inspiration and kinship pride as a standard to follow. Such occasions also brings effective support for members who are aspiring political positions..

...So where does the term immediate family came from? I guess it means the nuclear family either family of orientation or family of procreation..

Currently we are on a type of nuclear procreation family of 5 members. We used to be an extended family when we were newly (civil) wed. Me and my husband used to live with his adoptive mother (actually her aunt,a sister of her mother) but then we moved out as it is the best thing to do. To live alone as a couple is pretty good that you will learn to live on your own. You won't be bothering anyone and be bothered also.

How about you?

#all image credits to pixabay-my most reliable source of free images#

hit like, comment your thoughts and subscribe

z_graeden