A Research on Filipino Family by Area

A family is a social unit made up of the head and other members who are
connected to the head through blood, marriage, or adoption. Both the immediate and
extended families are included (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2023). Family is the
foundation of social life for most Filipinos (Scroope, 2017). There are different types
of families around the world. In this paper, I have observed six types of families
living in my home area.
First is the nuclear family. It is a type of family that is made up of two parents
(often married or in a common-law relationship) and their offspring. Nuclear families
may have one or more biological or adopted children, but the focus is on the parents
raising their children together in the same residence. This was the common family
type I observed in my area.
Second, is the single-parent family. In these situations, the parent is either
divorced, widowed, or has never been married. An article by Jencks, C. and Ellwood,
D.T. (2004) discusses how since the 1960s, when divorce rates began to climb (along
with the number of unmarried births), single-parent families have become more
prevalent. They contend that a variety of variables, such as letting go of archaic
gender norms, feeling at ease with one's independence, and fulfilling one's goal of
raising a child—regardless of whether one has a partner or not—could be to blame for
these changes.
Based on my observation, our single-parent family neighbor is very resilient,
competent in his/her job, very close to his/her children, and all-around in household
duties. This single parent motivates me every day that though his/her spouse is not
around, he/she proves that life can stumble us many times but there’s always a reason
to rise and move forward and that is his/her beloved children.
The third family we have in my area is the extended family. Extended families
are those that typically include children as well as two or more adults who are
connected by blood or marriage. An aunt, an uncle, a cousin, or another relative who
lives under the same roof is frequently included in this. This family in my area are the
loudest, what I mean is they are the happiest family living in our area because every
time one of the family member’s birthdays they always throw a huge party and invite
everyone in our compound/area to celebrate with them. What I love about this type of
family is that the children are taught to respect and care for the elderly, value social
support and childcare, etc.
The fourth family I have also observed here in our area is the childless family.
Families without children are those when both couples are unable to have children or
do not want to. These families are frequently overlooked or excluded in discussions of
family forms and dynamics (despite if it is still possible to establish a family without
children). Growing up, getting married, and having kids used to be the norm, but in
today's world, more people are delaying having kids or opting not to. These unusual
families include working couples who may have pets or prefer occasionally to look
after other people's kids (like nieces and nephews) instead of having their own. They
might also be adventurous couples who don't think having children will fit well with
their way of life.
Fifth is the grandparent family. When one or more grandparents are raising
their grand kids, that situation is referred to as a grandparent family. When the parents
are either unable or unable to properly care for their children, this predicament arises.
For instance, the parents may be incapacitated, too young to care for the child,
struggling with a substance use disease, or even deceased. Fortunately, under these
circumstances, the grandparents’ step in and take up the role of a parent for their
grand kids. No matter how rich, poor, or middle-class a person is, this family unit can
exist.
Lastly is the stepfamily. It may not be common in Filipino families but here in
my area, in fact, in my hometown, stepfamily is very common. A stepfamily is
formed when two different families combine to become one. One divorced parent
with children may marry a person who has never been married and has never had
children, or two divorced parents with one or more children may combine their
households.
In conclusion, no matter what type of family we are in, it is very important to
value and love our family. Our family is the reason why we exist right now, the
reason we live, love, and enjoy life. This reminds me that life is beautiful because of
the memories we have in our lives and most of the people involved in our memories
are our family whether we are related to them or not.

References/Sources:
 Scroope, C. (2017). Family. Retrieved from
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/filipino-culture/filipino-culture-family
 Family. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/ISSiP/concepts-and-definitions
 Oelzel, P. (2022). There Are 6 Different Family Types and Each One Has a
Unique Family Dynamic. Retrieved from
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/president-ramon-magsaysay-state-
university/maed-filipino/there-are-6-different-family-types-and-each-one-has-a-
unique-family-dynamic/35786515