STRUCTURE OF THE FILIPINO FAMILY

1. The family is the nuclear unit in Philippine society.

2. The interests of the family take precedence over the
individuals interests.
3. Marriage is viewed as a permanent contract, an inviolable
social institution (Civil Code No. 14).
4. An offense against one member of the family is perceived as
a threat to the whole family.
5. Familial ties are not broken by marriage, distance of
residence, or by a change in the social status of a family
member.
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6. Custom and the new Civil Code provide for mutual support
among members of the family.
7. As a rule, the residence of a family is with the paternal kin
that is near or in the barrio of the parents of the husband.
8. The typical composition of the Filipino household is one
elementary family with the addition of one or more close
relatives.
9. Marriage forms a new family of procreation but the
husband and wife are still integral parts of their respective
families of orientation.
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10. The Filipino family is externally patriarchal but
internally matriarchal.
11. The separation of the sexes is emphasized in the
family.
12. Authority is not based simply on sex but on age.
13. The oldest brother or sister in the family has
authority over younger siblings.
14. Filipino family life centers on the children.
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15. Family relationship is extended to distant cousins.
16. The Filipinos ties, duties and obligations are
predominantly to the family and kin group, both
consanguineous and affine.
17. Relationships within the bounds of kinship are
relatively secure and predictable.
18. The Filipino social system puts much stress on
the collective body.