TRADITIONAL AND LIBERAL VIEW

MODULE VI OF FILIPINO FAMILY

OVERVIEW

In this module we will observed how

stereotypical and Filipino view about marriage. from
traditional to liberal. We have seen the past few
decades that Filipinos are truly family oriented. They
describe us a “tightly-knit family”

But as the years goes by, we have been adopt

some western cultures which may affect and change
our tradition view in marriage.

Questions for Discussions:

1. What traditional views or traits do you still see and remembered in courtship and marriage?

2. Why do we need to study tradition view of family, marriage and courtship?

3. Do you agree that this day some of our traditional views remains and still some Filipinos doing
it?

OBJECTIVES

AT THE END OF THIS MODULE THE STUDENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

A. Discuss the stereotypical and tradition Filipino family

B. Explain the traditional views on Filipino family
C. Recognize how traditional Filipino family affects us.
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The Stereotypical and Typical Filipino Family

From Stereotypical Traditional View

The best phrase to always describe the

traditional Filipino family is a “tightly-knit family.”
The son or daughter who remains unmarried
usually stay with their parents and would even
take care of them when they get married. It is not
surprising why Filipinos look forward to family
reunions especially on special occasions like for
those who celebrate Christmas when the
completeness of the family is what matters most
than the gifts or feast to make the celebration
complete.

In contrast to the culture of many western

countries like the United States, it is common
practice for their grown-up children to separate
from their parents once they finished high school
and support themselves by seeking employment
while they send their old parents who could not
take care of themselves to so-called nursing
homes instead of personally seeing and attending
to their needs.

It is said “ang tatay ay haligi ng tahanan

(the father is the pillar of the home,) whereas “ ang nanay ay ilaw ng tahanan (the mother is the
light of the home).” that is to say that the father builds a feeling of home for the family apart
whereas the mother nurtures the home. Theses are suppose traditional roles of parents in the
traditional Filipino family.

Traditionally many Filipinos families are extended families especially in the rural
provinces; but even in the urban places, there are cases of relatives and even grandparents
living with the nuclear family. A one big family is a happy family in the presumption of many
Filipinos especially if they can support such family size.

Extending the family to include the ninong and ninang (godparents) is also a common
practice because it extends to anchor on the socio-economic status of godparent’s which is why
they carefully select godparent’s as sponsor in the couple’s wedding and the baptism of the
children.

Seniority in the family is also acknowledge accordingly and demands respect. The
traditional Filipino family like any traditional Asian societies is patriarchal as the father usually
 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIP

exercise authoritarian role in deciding what is best for the family and demand obedience for his
set if family rules. This why it has become tradition that a man who courts a lady must at the
same time also court the parents to win their approval or to favor him over the other men
courting the same girl.

The Filipinos regard of the family is primary over himself, over other people, and over
other things. A Filipino family member as forced by circumstances would go to the extend of
leaving the family in order it earn elsewhere even in faraway places just to send almost all of
their hard earned income back to their family.

Family has almost always been first so much is true that blood is thicker than water.
Family members tend to be protective of each other to the extent of defending the mistakes of a
member from other people and even covering up for their member’s liabilities.

Family honor is a long-time value held by many Filipinos such that dishonor bu one
member is to cause dishonor to the name of the family and in the kinship. Concomitant to this is
the Filipino family’s inclination towards status recognition and achievement, that is to say that
parents take pride in the education attainment, occupational prestige, and career success.

Activity Time!

a. In a short bond paper, create/illustrate/draw your whole family happy and contented.
b. Research some pictures that may differ from traditional family to liberal view Filipino
family.
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MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE RELATIONSHIP

To typical liberal View

In as much as the core Filipino family in its modern structure is now mostly nuclear in
composition especially in urban places, its functions are still characteristically that of an
extended family in the sense that even though relatives do not live with the nuclear family, the
bonds that keep them together are not entirely dependent on their physical but rather also
psychological, emotional and economic.

Children who do not have close relationship with their parents or are in conflict with their
parents sometimes develop closer ties with the grandparents or other relatives and run them in
times of comforting need and support. A nuclear family in crisis whether financially or other wise
can expect the intervention and assistance extended by relatives.

Children now also take part in more democratic decision-making process in matters
concerning the family and enjoy greater independence and freedom in their personal lives as
lng as the parents are aware.

Changing times has also reconfigured the once stereotypical Filipino family to a new
typical Filipino family today. Both parents now usually share in the financial support of the
nuclear family resulting to lesser quality time for children since both parents would have to go on
a full-time job and even bring work at home.

The affluent families would hire a fulltime yaya (nanny) and/or a katulong (house maid)
as substitute to the traditional role of the mother since more mothers are now career-oriented
and would not allow themselves stuck at home. The absence of parents or lack of a mother or
father figure oftentimes the cause of misguided children, while peer groups become substitute
for family. The many cases of juvenile delinquencies in society, involvement in mischief, and
negligence in school responsibilities.

There has been an increasing number of broken, dysfunctional, or single-parent families

as children are born out of wedlock or out of an unstable family of parents who could not get
along with each other because they were immaturely unprepared or forced into marriage.

It is almost a redundant reason of husband and wives to blame the lack of quality time
for each other; misgivings they have on one another; the intolerable habits they show and the
diminishing love they have together led to marriage astray.

The child is naturally affected by the habitual quarrelling of parents especially if it

includes verbal and/or physical violence. It has always been said that a child is only as good as
the family that he or she comes from. Children develop the impression that their miserable life is
only bad as it gets in the family situation.

As the late former President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino (1993-2009), widow to her
husband opposition leader Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr. (1932-1983) and a single
parent of five children wrote:

Much of our national traits-both good and bad-spring from our

sense of family. On the negative side this has tended to breed nepotism,
overdependence and parochialism, stunting that growth of a dynamic
entrepreneurial culture. On the positive side, this strong sense of family
has made us rather sensitive – what we might feeling (more than
“thinking) people. When pulling together, we can be a caring, hospitable
and closely kniw community founded on a strong sense of kinship.
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Module Test!

Fill in the blank. Pick the correct word inside the box.

1. The best phrase to always describe the traditional Filipino family is a ____________.
2. Children who do not have close relationship with their parents or are in ________with
their parents
3. __________ in the family is also acknowledge accordingly and demands respect. The
traditional Filipino family like any traditional Asian societies is patriarchal as the father
usually exercise authoritarian role.
4. Children who do not have close relationship with their parents or are in conflict with their
parents sometimes develop closer ties with the __________ or other relatives.
5. The child is ________ affected by the habitual quarrelling of parents especially if it
includes verbal and/or physical violence.

“tightly-knit family.” Seniority grandparents

Naturally founded

conflict

Comprehension, Video and Analysis

https://youtu.be/sGMX4v3EFhE (Family Life in the Philippine 1956)

Guided Question:

1. What did you observer in the video?

2. Thus the family of ramon practicing the traditional life of Filipino family?
3. Do you experience what ramon experience had?
4. What kinds of family do you want when you get married? Explain.

Reference/s
5. * Banaag, lee mark and Cruz, Ma. Theresa. Socio-Anthropology. Books ATBP Publishing corp.
6. * Book of Society and Culture (introduction to sociology and anthropology) by Isabel Ponopio
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Essay Rubrics
Features 4 – expert 3 accomplished 2 capable 1 beginner
Quality of  Piece was  Piece was  Piece had  Piece had
writing written in written in an little style no style or
extraordinary interesting or voice voice
style and style and voice  Gives  Gives no
voice  Somewhat some new new
 Very informative informatio informatio
information and organized n but n and very
and well poorly poor
organized organized organized
Grammar, Virtually no spelling, Few spelling and A number 
of So many spelling,
Usage & punctuation or punctuation errors, spelling, punctuation and
Mechanics grammatical error minor grammatical punctuation or grammatical errors
error grammatical errors that it interferes
with the meaning

Interview and Research Rubrics

Poor (2) Average (3) Good (4) Excellent (5)

GRAMMAR and 7 or more errors 4-6 errors 1-3 errors No errors
SPELLING
ATTENTION No clear book or Average attention Good attention Excellent look and
GRABBER or attention grabber grabber grabber attention grabber
“LOOK”
TURNED IN BY 3 or more days 2 days after the 1 day after the On or before the
DUE DATE & after the deadline deadline dead line said deadline
TIME
QUOTATIONS No Quotes Quotes used Quotes used Quotes greatly
WERE USED IN poorly or in properly enhance the words
THE incorrect format effectively of interviewee
INTERVIEW excellently