Views and Values on Family among Filipinos: An Empirical Exploration

Abstract

Abstract The Filipino family provides an interesting study because familism is embedded in its social sphere, translating its relational quality outside the family. Being family-centred, child-centric, having close ties, and a large family size (Medina, 2001; Miralao, 1994) are some basic elements of families in the Philippines. Applying regression on the data from the World Values Survey for the Philippines in 1996 and 2001, this study aims to explore the correlates of views on family values among Filipinos, specifically those concerning the traditional nuclear family set-up, the woman’s roles within family, and the reciprocal relationship of the parent and child. While the results show that Filipinos generally share family values, especially on those related to child rearing for both parents, and child-bearing, there are indications that such views also differ across educational attainment, geographic location, social class, and ethnic groups. Disparities in views could be reflecting shifting family values, which could then help explain current polarising policy debates on issues on the reproductive health, divorce, and migration.