Cross-cultural study: The Philippines

Essay by hezzaHigh School, 11th gradeA+, July 2004

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In Philippino culture life mainly revolves around the family, and that also means the extended family including several generations. No other aspect of life is likely to be as important, lasting or influential on choices and decisions from childhood to old age. A typical Philippino individual exists primarily as a member of a family and will look to his/her family as the only reliable protection against the uncertainties of life.

For a Philippino individual, family is the main source of ones personal identity and of emotional and material support; it also is the focus of ones prime duty and commitment. For example a girl could walk into a store to buy a blouse for herself and come out with one for her sister instead. Philippino's living in the United States will routinely send money, clothes, household goods, and other items as well as bring many gifts on personal visits to extended family members "left behind" in the Philippines.

Australian culture is quite different in the way that the family is not quite as important. It still plays a large part in personal and social development but does not influence our choices and decisions from childhood to old age as much. Families still turn to each other for love and support and sometimes protection from the harsh world. The family is not so much a source of personal identity as that it developed independently.

In Philippino society there are specific expectations of masculine and feminine behaviours. Gender behaviour is shown and maintained in the family in six socialization areas, including:

1. Parental preferences for children of one gender or another.

2. What parents expect of their daughters in contrast to what they expect of their sons and consequently:

3. How parents raise their daughters in contrast to how they raise their...