Adaptation of the Filipino family upon Immigration to the United States

Abstract

This study examines how acculturation into United States society has caused the structure of immigrant Filipino families to change. Surveys given to young adults (18-26 years old) who were born in the United States or emigrated here at an early age provided data about the current status of the Filipino family in the U. S. Interviews and discussion with Filipino men and women (40-80 years old) who immigrated to the U.S. as adults provided information which allowed me to compare and contrast their current family situation to their previous family structure in the Philippines. This study revealed that while the Filipino family in some aspects has remained traditional, the influence of United States culture as well as the distance from the "homeland" has caused a change in the role of individual family members, has altered some beliefs, and has caused some variations in family functions.