Adolescent Identity in the Context of the Filipino Family

Introduction
One of the most key aspects of the teenage years is the development of a potent and

reliable sense of one's own identity. Although identity development takes place in one's life,

adolescence is the initial period people consider how their individuality might influence their

lives. People are significantly more self-conscious about constantly shifting identities during

adolescent development compared to any other point in their lives.

Many teenagers can begin to grow and explore their uniqueness at a better and healthier

maturity level manner. Even so, for some young teens, this period of identity development leads

to involvement in unsafe and unruly habits that can have a critical and long-term influence on

their lives. Adolescent growth is defined by emerging adulthood, which is demonstrated by the

person's capacity to recognize his or her responsibilities in the community and choose a career

that he or she seeks. Adolescents are also required to act in line with their religious values, make

choices without considering others, accomplish educational excellence, establish priorities, take

part in enjoyable leisure pursuits, and participate in social activities with their peers.

Prior to establishing a distinct and secure identity, adolescents are believed to go through

an identity crisis. Teenagers ponder their uniqueness, discover personality possibilities, and

establish identity responsibilities during the identity development process. Furthermore, it is

crucial to recognize and comprehend the factors and situations of adolescent identity

development. Identity development exploration has been examined concerning family relations

and procedures. In the examination of adolescent identity formation, an important notion is

connections between people, with an acknowledgment that families remain to be a significant

means of interaction for teenagers (Beyers, 2008).

 Adjustments in a teenager's mental and physical development are linked to major

transitions in their connections with family and friends. Family values are frequently

reconfigured during preadolescence. Teenagers want more individuality and emotional distance

from their parents. The attention of a teen is commonly pulled to socializing and companionship.

This includes friends of the same gender as well as friends of different genders in groups. The

adult stage causes involvement in trying to date and intimate activities.

Parenting style also has an impact on adolescent identity development. Adolescent who

does not witness domestic violence in their families develop a more distinct character than

someone who does (Idemudia, 2011). According to some researchers, a positive parental style

results in better outcomes for children, but the reverse is also true (Chang, 2014). It is asserted

that parenting practices' back story is one of many elements that determine teenagers during the

advancement of their personality (Purwadi, 2012). This paper will investigate adolescent identity

in the context of the Filipino family.

Main Concept

In Filipino culture, the most essential social institution is the family (Jocano, 1998).

Connected family bonds are traditionally and firmly characterized by Filipino identity (Medina,

2001). Unity, gratitude for adults, gratifying obligations and aspirations, and dutifulness to

parental rights are all regarded in collectivist circumstances.

Personal actions and accomplishments represent the family, causing familial honor or

complete disgrace (Chao, 2002). Thereby, in the Filipino family, one should act about oneself

and the family's sense of deeply held value that refers to glory, integrity, and

righteousness. Filipino children are also supposed to respect parental responsibility and

compromise personal beliefs to recognize parents' expectations (Medina, 2001). The focus on the

above-mentioned family values implies authoritarian rather than accelerated familial parenting

behaviors. 

The prevalence of parent involvement in behavior problems is measured by family

control variables. Parents, particularly mothers, have a massive impact on their children ’s

behavior, morals, principles, and guidelines of good and bad behavior. Acceptable behavior is

compensated, while morally reprehensible conduct is penalized (Panopio, 2000).

Family spirituality, particularly if the family pleads around each other, also indicates

family authority. The conduct of saying a prayer jointly is a huge sign of a conservative family

system in a heavily Catholic environment, which assumedly guards the teenager

against engaging in risky actions.

Furthermore, the Filipino traditional family determines if the teenager has grown up with

two parents or in an alternative family context. It also considers the teenager's view of the
security of their parent's connection. In concept, teenagers who spend most of their developing

years in a preserved traditional family are more likely to be provided clear guidelines and

recognition, which protects them from performing dangerous behaviors. Alternative

configurations, in contrast, such as destroyed families because of parental divorce, tragedy, or

abroad, are predicted to habituate teenagers to perform dangerous behavior patterns. However,

because the appearance of both parents is not a setting reasonable for the family system, the

teenager's perception of the security of familial union has also been regarded as a subjective

predictor. It is presumed that poor marital connections are much more inclined to be linked with

impoverished family engagement, which also results in lower self-esteem among youth, which

makes them more prone to conduct problems. Whereas the shifting traditional family is a

horrible reality, teenagers have positive characteristics and abilities that can help them react

flexibly to difficulties within the household and in the wider context. Teenagers in the

Philippines can cope with the powerful, sufficient care of a well-adjusted single parent and foster

parents. (Barrameda, 1989)

In the Philippines, the family serves vital processes by providing members with

biological support, psychological comfort, security, and condition. The household, throughout its

interactional capabilities, performs an important role in the progression of social traditions,

religious views, and traditions; in the shaping of its individuals' personalities and identities; and

in demonstrating compliance to social rules (Medina 2001). A combination of variables affiliated

with the transformation and urban growth processes, on the other hand, had aided in the

breakdown of the traditional family. Societal and financial possibilities have enticed families to

leave the house. This, combined with the growing supremacy of Western technology, is worried
to sever the conventional values and expectations that formerly held the Filipino family around

each other.

Furthermore, the duties that teenagers play in the household are based largely on the

parents' preconceptions of them, such as educational excellence, domestic chores assistance, and

financial commitments. Even so, there are familial standards of teenagers regarding physical

appearance, behavior, and peer acceptance. Their children are expected to aspire academically

rather than help with household chores to prepare them for the future. 

Furthermore, adolescents made most clothing choices, but their parents occasionally

expressed condemnation of certain of their selections. The opposite is valid when it comes to

their selection of friends; this is mainly the teenager's realm and judgment. All the same,

adolescence stated that they incorporate their peers into their parents to demonstrate that the

friends they have preferred are fully accountable and trustful, implying a continuing necessity

for parents’ permission of these decisions.

Also, while a large percentage of homosexual adolescents asserted that their parents truly

recognized them, a huge percentage still face very straightforward sexual restrictions. They are

required to conduct themselves and act in a sexual identity manner. Were mostly forbidden from

bringing dates or partners home, or even mentioning them, notably in the presence of fathers.

Insights and Conclusions

The adolescent's predominant social group, the Filipino family, is beginning to show

signs of pressure, as evidenced by significant levels of unresponsive parental involvement and

unsteady marriage unions. This is mainly due to parental choices as they cope with the stressors
of a dynamic world. Of that kind transformation, combined with rising levels of teenage

relocation, has resulted in new aspects of housing situations that have removed teenagers from

their home environment, leaving them prone to risky behaviors.

During the teenage years, as the dominant coalition over teenager’s declines, alternate

solution impacts, especially peer groups and mainstream media, obtain popularity. With the

rising western influence of mainstream stream media, which also endangers conservative values,

its growing attraction to adolescents has serious consequences. It is important to note, even so,

that family ties and parental supervision still play a crucial role in minimizing the consequences

of mainstream press and peer groups. A powerful, steady, and preserved family dynamic for

teenagers, in specific, tends to decrease the effects coming from external impacts on the

teenager.

Finally, Filipino adolescents establish a favorable identity within their families.

Communication, assistance, and independence define the background. This kinship individuality

is a summary of their new definition of family and their family's description of them by assisting

roles within their family, the family influence on achieving current and future common goals,

and directing principles. It enables adolescents to strike a balance between sharing common and

uniqueness, as well as gain access to tools and abilities for dealing flexibly with emerging

adulthood worries and family issues in the presence of confusing societal issues. The ongoing

process of building a positive view of themselves in diverse situations will prepare teenagers for

adulthood's expanding circle of requirements and possibilities for development.

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