THE FILIPINO FAMILY

I. Typical or model - Purpose of defining a model: for comparison and to give an overview- Rural family 80%- Christian

II. Ethnologic groups- Tagalog, Pampango , Pangasinan, Ilocano, Bicol, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Samar-Leyte

III. Urban/Rural differences a. Urban Definition- Cities / province capitals or municipalities with a population density of at least 1,000

persons per square kilometre.- Poblaciones / barrio contiguous to the poblacion with at least 1,000 persons / sq. Km. If

city and municipalities with population density of 500/ sq. Km.- All poblaciones / barrios with 2,500 inhabitants if city population at least 20,000

persons.- Poblaciones with population of at least 2,500 persons.

Differences – occupation, environment, size, density of population, heterogeneity, homogeneity of culture, social differentiation and stratification, mobility and system of interaction.

b. Rural- Occupation: farming, fishing, food gathering, cottage industries, cultural back, wardness,

poverty, ignorance, drabness, monotony and open service.IV. Basic Characteristics

- Solid / stable- Christian- Rural- Large – ave. 6- Extended Bilateral- Emphasis on consanguinity- Children centered- Authority: age and sex - Low socio - economic conditions- Emphasis on obedience and kinship obligations therefore submissive

V. Functionsa. Reproduction: the family regulates sexual behaviour and is the unit for reproduction.

Within the marriage bond, sex expression is socially recognized. It is an important function because it enables the continuity of society. It is the only recognized institution for procreation.

- Implication: Filipinos value children greatly. But if function is left unchecked, the dependency ratio would increase resulting in greater basic needs including health.

b. Socialization: the family is the chief agency in socializing the child. The family transmits the culture of the group, its pattern ways of living through example, teaching or indoctrination. The child imbibes the value systems of the society and internalizes the values. The behaviour, aspirations and expectations of the family become part of his personality even regarding health and health practices. The family is called the nursery of human nature. This function is shared by other agencies like school, church etc. In the Philippines however, the family remains the major agency.

c. Conferment of status: the family gives its members status. A child is born into a family which gives him a name and lineage. To which he belongs affects attitude and values. One born to a poor family would have to make do with the limited resources available to him. In the rural areas it is more difficult to change one’s status because everybody knows everybody. In Urban area, the origin is difficult to trace and one is taken for his own value. But Filipinos are status conscious.

- Relation to Health: Behaviour is related to status. Life chances of the poor are impaired because they can’t go to the best doctors, the best hospitals or to buy essential medicines.

d. Economic welfare: the family is an important economic unit. It is an important production, consumption and distribution unit. It is a workgroup characterized by cooperation and distribution of labour. In rural families, self sufficiency is possible. They till the soil (producer) eat the produce (consumer) and sell whatever excess they have (distributor). In urban communities, the economic function of the family is mostly confined to consumption. Production and distribution is taken over by industries.

- Implications on health: Since most of the members of the family have to go out and earn a living, different types of occupational hazards have to be contended with.

e. Affectional or function of biologic maintenance: infant is born helpless and the parents fill the roles of protectors, providers and guardians. They look after his physical and material needs, giving him sustenance, nourishment and protection. The child is dependent on the family for support. He draws security, affection and guidance from the primary group, learns tenderness, sympathy, and understanding and generalized love. The family is also the group responsible for the care of the aged, the physically incompetent, the unemployed and the widowed.

- Implication on health: The Filipino is never alone in their misery. He has doting parents and relations to see him through crises and difficult times. Thus, it is said that he has no need for a psychiatrist.

f. Protective. The family is an important mechanism for social control. The family continually exerts pressure to make the members conform to what the family perceives as desirable behaviour. It keeps its members within the bounds in their relations with their fellowmen, morals, control of sex drive, etiquette and type of livelihood. The Filipino family is overprotective.

g. Religious. It is the family that first introduces the child to religion. Although the church is the specialized institution performing the religious function. The child acquires the religion of the parents and gets the basic moral precepts and norm which guide behaviour.

- Implication on health: Religious beliefs affect health. Superstitious beliefs are actually religious revivals, beliefs in faith healer and miracle cures are related to religion.

h. Political. Aspects of the family like authority, decision making, loyalty and cooperation carry over to the political activity of the larger society, the parent’s view are also the children’s view.

i. Recreation. The family used to spend leisure together, exchanging news and pleasantry and telling stories. With the change in society, there has been a shift to commercialized recreation and the members have divergent interests.

- Implication on health: The need to supervise commercialized recreation rendered by agencies in relation to its ill effect on health. Video machines: eye and ear strains, disco-accidents; trauma etc.

j. Education. The family takes on the role of educator when it starts the socialization process on the child. In an informal manner, the family transmits knowledge, skills, attitude, appreciations and values to its members.

- Implication on health: the acquisition of knowledge modifies traditional belief regarding health which is undesirable.

k. Health. The sees to it that members are taken cared of when they are sick or disabled. The type of health seeking however is related to all of the above functions.

Submitted by: Jose D. Amaro Jr.