UNIT V type of family is that which is formed by couples who are in a
BUILDING A GOOD FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS live-in relationship. Thus, cohabiting couples and their children
The article on educational implications of new
information about the Filipino family by Acuna, 2008, states
that the family is still the most influential force in the lives of
students and students still model after the family members; the
mother more than the father. Contemporary social scientists
today developed a new and less rigid concept of family such as
that family members need not be bound by legal marriage, by
blood, or by adoption. Family members are those who live
together in one household on a semi-permanent basis.
Alternative structures include the single or solo-parent family
which may fall under any of the following five types:
Alternate Structures of Family
A WIDOW/ED PARENT AND CHILD/CHILDREN
Very often, this solo-parent is a widow rather than a
widower. Widowers tend to remarry more than widows do.
A SEPEARATED PARENT AND CHILD/CHILDREN.
There are various reasons for separation: divorce
obtained abroad, annulment, legal separation, abandonment,
or by mutual decision to separate informally without going thru
the courts. Separation may also be due to temporary absence
of one spouse such as overseas employment.
A SINGLE MAN OR WOMAN AND ADOPTED CHILD/CHILDREN.
The value of children is recognized and accepted in
Philippine society, thus adoption is not uncommon even among
unmarried individuals.
UNWED WOMAN AND HER ILLEGITIMATEOR NATURAL
CHILD/CHILDREN
The unwed mother usually goes through pregnancy
and delivery of the illegitimate child, not only because abortion
is a criminal act under Philippine laws and immoral in a
predominantly Catholic nation, but also because of the value of
children in Philippine society.
MISTRESS AND HER CHILD/CHILDREN
This solo-parent family is the second family of a
married man as a result of extramarital relations. Aside from
the solo-parent family, another family type is the blended or
step family which is the result of a second marriage or
partnership of a widowed or separated person. This includes
step parent(s) and step sibling(s). Very little is known about this
type of family probably because many protective grandparents
tend to take over the care of grandchildren whose parents have
remarried in order to avoid conflict with the step parent and
step siblings. There are, however, many blended families where
members live in harmony and have no problem in their
relationships.
Another type of family is that formed by homosexuals.
In the Philippines, there is no marriage possible for these
homosexuals who are living together, but they can be married
in another country that allows same sex marriage. Otherwise,
there is no way to establish how stable their relationship is, and
when they can be considered a family. Almost nothing is known
about this type of family. One more type of family is composed
of siblings only either because their parents have died, or are
estranged; thus, there is no more contact with them. An added
may be considered families too.
In other words, the single or solo parent family is
increasing, the blended family or step family is emerging, and
other types of families are also emerging like the homosexual
couples or siblings only or no parent family.
The dramatic changes that have occurred in
contemporary family life are particularly significant for
adolescents. The decreased amount of time that many parents,
extended family members, and neighbors are able to spend
with adolescents leads to decreased communication, support,
and supervision from adults at a crucial period in development.
At an age when adolescents are most likely to experiment with
behaviors that can have serious health consequences, they may
have less parental involvement and more unsupervised time
and activities.
Parents should maintain a continuing interest in their
adolescent‘s daily activities and concerns. Adolescents are
more likely to become healthy, fulfilled adults if their families
remain actively involved, providing loving parenting, needed
limits, and respect for the process of developing maturity. As
the nature of family relationships changes, families adapt to the
adolescent‘s need for confidentiality as they learn to negotiate
a healthy balance between providing parental supervision and
giving the adolescent some “space”. Although adolescence is
characterized by growing independence and separation from
parental authority, the adolescent still needs the family‘s love,
support, and availability.
During adolescence, parent–adolescent conflict tends
to increase. This conflict appears to be a necessary part of
gaining independence from parents while learning new ways of
staying connected to them (Steinberg, 2001). If parents can be
reassured that the awkwardness their teen is displaying is not
rejection and can be encouraged to stay involved, a new way of
relating may eventually evolve that is satisfying for all.
Middle adolescence can present both challenges and
rewards for families, as teens frequently test rules and question
authority. Teens can be opinionated, and this can result in
family conflict, especially over issues such as dress, music,
curfews, and behavior. Activities such as driving and dating may
require negotiating family rules. Yet the family is still home
base in the changing world of middle adolescence, and core
family values continue to exert a significant and stabilizing
influence. With their increasingly sophisticated cognitive,
moral, and social capabilities, adolescents are forming attitudes
and values that will have a lasting impact on the quality of their
lives, as well as those of their family and the larger community.
Sharing the family‘s love, affection, and support with the
adolescent is critical during this stage of development.
Having reached “the age of majority”, older
adolescents are now legally responsible for themselves. Key
developmental tasks include focusing on achieving
independence, creating an adult sense of self, and developing a
capacity for mature emotional intimacy, while maintaining
emotional ties to their family.
As older adolescents become more comfortable with
themselves and their emotional independence, their
relationships with family members become more accepting and
harmonious. Families continue to have a major impact in
helping older adolescents become healthy young adults by
providing a stable and supportive home environment and by
maintaining a trusting and open relationship in which the
young person feels cared for and comfortable in sharing new
challenges and concerns. Parents can exert significant influence
on the well-being of older adolescents by consistently modeling
preventive and health-promoting practices such as driving
safely, avoiding or moderating the use of alcohol, and
scheduling regular health visits.
LESSON 1: FAMILY RITUALS AND TRADITIONS 
 Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior.
It is a sense of being socially appropriate and conforming
to societal norms of behavior. Filipinos believe they must
live up to the accepted standards of behavior and if they
fail to do so they bring shame not only upon themselves,
but also upon their family. 
 Bahala na is a kind of fatalistic resignation (come what
may) which represents a withdrawal from engagement or
crisis or shirking of personal responsibility. 
 Utang na loob – reciprocity or debt of gratitude or honor
is of primary importance in the Filipino value system.
 “Pakikisama” is the Filipino value of belongingness and
loyalty to one‘s in-group. To belong to a group demands a
spirit of cooperation, an attitude of give and take, and
sensitivity to the feelings of others. 
 “Respeto sa nakatatanda” or respect for seniors is a highly
esteemed value of the Filipinos. For example, Filipinos
show respect to the elders in conversations by using
words such as “ho” “po” and “opo” at the end of a
greeting. 
 Hospitality to a guest or neighbor is also a famous value of
the Filipinos. For Filipinos, serving other people the best of
what they have, leaves them an honor and a promise of
true friendship.
The Importance of Family Meals
The study on the association of the frequency of family
meals to family members, suicide ideation and depression of
Filipino young adults by Francisco &Cuason, 2017 revealed that
family mealtimes matter. This is very significant because an
activity that is usually ignored poses an important role in the
mental health of Filipino young adults. According to Bowen‘s
family systems theory, emotional distance is one factor that
creates problems within a family and the individual belonging
in that family. Emotional distance that can easily be overcome
if only a family sits down and eats together.
Young adults or the Millennials have a significant
position in society but sadly because of public stigma about
mental health those suffering from or are experiencing suicide
ideation or even just mild depression only find hopelessness
and sometimes, the solutions they find for themselves are
usually devastating and unfortunate both for the individual
himself and his loved ones.
LESSON 2: FAMILY LEGACY
The definition of legacy is something that is passed on
you from family, including reputation. An example of legacy is
family property that has been handed down for generations.
Building a Family Legacy: 7 Questions to Ask When
Building a Family Legacy
Building a family legacy isn‘t just about money and
legal documents. A lasting legacy lives on through many
generations. Making your legacy come alive starts with defining
it in a tangible way—answering questions such as: 
 Who you are—your beliefs, values, traditions and
experiences 
 What you give back—your charitable community and
mentoring activities 
 What you have—your material assets (money and
possessions)
Building a family legacy starts by answering the
question, “what does legacy mean to you?” This is perhaps the
most important question to ask, because in order to start
building your family legacy, you must first define the concept
yourself and decide what it means for you and your loved ones.
When most of us think of legacy, we think of closely-
related terms like storytelling, family values and wealth
management. When defining the legacy concept, it‘s important
to think about all of these other closely-related concepts as
well, and define what they mean to you.
Once you have a tangible definition of the legacy
concept for you and your family members, you can then
communicate the actions you‘ll take to help shape that concept
going forward, so that you leave a lasting family legacy for
many generations to come.
We thought it might be helpful to provide you with a
list of questions to ask when defining the legacy concept for
you and your loved ones. This list is by no means exhaustive,
but should give you a good start to helping you define and build
your family legacy.
1. What is your family mission and vision?
Consider writing a family mission statement, complete
with your family values and beliefs, and think about how you
can ensure that those values are effectively passed down to
future generations.
2. What are your goals for your family going into the future,
even after you‘ve passed on?
Knowing your goals will help ensure that you take
proper measures to accomplish them. Once you‘re gone, as
long as your family members are aware of the goals you‘ve set,
they can continue to implement the necessary action steps to
ensure a lasting legacy.
3. What are the stories that help to connect and shape your
legacy in a meaningful way for future generations?
You can start gathering your stories through
conversations with parents, grandparents and other relatives.
Once you compile the information, either through audio, video
or written word, you can then add photos, videos and other
media to make it meaningful for future generations. All stories
and their media may be securely and privately stored inside
your Family archive.
4. What is wealth?
 Is it simply defined by your material possessions, or
does it encompass your family values, beliefs, traditions and
health?
5. Encourage the elders in your family to share their
experiences and the lessons they‘ve learned. What important
lessons have you learned in your lifetime? How can you best
impart that wisdom to your children and grandchildren?
6. What material assets do you want to leave for your children
and grandchildren when you‘re gone?
Are there any charitable institutions that have
impacted your life that you feel should also inherit some of
those assets? It helps to have a last will and testament that a
designated family member or members can easily access.
7. What is your healthcare history?
Your medical records will have a profound impact on
the health of future generations in your family. Knowing what
conditions could possibly be passed down genetically to your
children and grandchildren is important to ensuring they take
preventative measures to live a long and healthy life.