Filipino Family

Family is considered to be the foundation of social life for most Filipinos. The nuclear
family is the core family unit, however bonds are often tight knit among extended family
members. Indeed, people may be encouraged to have a relationship with their aunts
and uncles that is just as strong as the relationship with their parents.
 Indeed, people may be encouraged to have a relationship with their aunts and
uncles that is just as strong as the relationship with their parents.
 Close familial relationships often go beyond one’s genetic connections or
bloodlines to incorporate distant relatives, close neighbours or friends.
 For example, it is common to hear people refer to distant relatives or non-
relatives with familial terms such as ‘tita’ (aunt), ‘tito’ (uncle), ‘lola’ (grandmother)
and ‘lolo’ (grandfather).
 One instance is when a grandchild refers to their grandparent’s friend or cousin
as lola or lolo.

Household Structure
In a Filipino household, it is common to find three generations living together.
 Often, grandparents play a large role in raising their grandchildren. Extended
family will often live relatively close to one another and will come together during
large celebrations. It is common to find families in the Philippines that have some
members who return to their family home during weekends after spending a
week in major cities for work or study.

Transnational Families
‘Transnational’ families are defined as families who live apart but who create and retain
a ‘sense of collective welfare and unity, in short “familyhood,” even across national
borders’ (Bryceson and Vuorela 2002). Such families are an inevitable consequence of
migration and are hardly a recent phenomenon.
 Since the 1970s, the Philippines has been exporting labour abroad, with some
members engaging in paid labour abroad while many remain in their home town
or village.
 Some parents will leave their child in the Philippines in order to seek labour
abroad to better support their family left behind. In turn, they will send back
remittances to their parents or siblings who have been given the duty of caring
for the child. It is also common to find aunts, uncles and godparents taking care
of their nieces, nephews or godchildren, by sending remittances back to the
Philippines in order to pay for their education.
  Those living abroad with left behind families will attempt to see their family once
a year by returning home to the Philippines during their break from work in
another country.

Gender Roles
At times, Filipino society is tagged as patriarchal.
 This is in part due to machismo attitudes and the masculine standards of many
Filipino men.
However, the Philippines is closer to exhibiting a matriarchal society.
 The female influence is significant throughout the country, with many women
holding senior roles throughout business and the government.
 Generally, the head of the household is usually the oldest female, often the
grandmother (lola). Income from family members are often pooled together, then
the matriarch will look after the family finances.

Marriage
Monogamy is the norm and divorce is both socially stigmatised and illegal.
 Marriage is understood as a milestone and it is expected that individuals will one
day marry a suitable partner. Having children out of wedlock is generally frowned
upon in Filipino society. Thus, many couples will marry prior to giving birth to their
child to avoid social repercussions.

Filial Piety
Filial piety is the honor and respect children show their parents, grandparents, and
elderly relatives.
Many Filipinos hold the belief that each family member has several duties and
responsibilities they must uphold.
 Filial piety is an important concept in Filipino culture.
 For example, family members are required to show respect to their elders at all
times. The opinions of younger family members’ and children’s opinions are
considered to be secondary to their superior. Moreover, those requiring age care
are nearly always taken care of by their children or grandchildren.