Week 5: Family and Kinship

Week 5: Family and Kinship



A sample of an extended family



1.    Introduce your interviewee to your reader. Explain their relationship to your, where they were born and describe some of their background in terms of their social, cultural and ethnic background. (10 pts)

Ø  Elisa is an Ifugao, who lives in Baguio City before she migrates in the United States. Ifugao is a central part of Cordillera Administrative Region in Philippines. She’s a lawyer in the Philippines. I am not related to her but we came from same culture and country. She was born in Baguio City but both of her parents are Ifugao’s decent. Ifugaos are very creative like seen in their work through the Banaue rice Terraces, they are very industrious and friendly. Ifugao’s are larger part of Bontok and Kalinga people. They are very proud and practice their traditions and cultures which is also a big part of the tourism industry. The practice of rituals, customs and traditions still deeply observed like mummifying the dead people or relatives. Part of their practice traditions is offering animals to their dead ancestors. Ifugao’s speaks a Malayo Polynesian derivation language. Though she’s born in well educated family and migrates in the United States, some of her ancestors still practicing their customs and traditions.

 
2.   Briefly summarize your interviewing methods. Include your own thoughts and feelings as the anthropologist. Were you comfortable throughout the interview or were there times when you experienced awkwardness or discomfort with the subject matter? Do you think this affected the thoroughness of your interview? How would this be different interviewing someone unrelated to you? (10 pts)

Ø  I am felt awkward when discussing some topics about their culture because their ethnic culture is different from mine and also came from different ethnic group. Also there are traditions being practiced which I do not practice and which is not acceptable in my ethnic group. I think it affected the thoroughness of my interview because of I do not know the person very well and picking of the appropriate words, gestures and expressions used should be properly observed. I believe in each ethnic cultures have standard way of communication (which means words, gestures and expressions that’s acceptable to their culture).  Many ethnic groups are sensitive to word, gestures, and expressions used. Subject matter being discussed are about the their ethnic traditions, customs, language and other ethnical background however I should also careful observed my questions that could not lead to discrimination or being ethnocentric. The interview turned out to be a nice, meaningful and informative experience knowing that I heard it from the valid resources.

3.   Describe the kinship pattern of your family and explore any patterns you see, such as differences in closeness, socialization levels, and commonalities. Is there an emphasis on maternal or paternal lines? What are the attitudes toward older and younger individuals in your family? Is there a trend toward large or small families? Are there ethnic differences in different areas of your family that have a social impact on family relationships or affect social interactions? (20 pts)

"Mano" or "Mano po", a practice in Filipino culture
that shows respect toward the elders.

Ø  Traditionally we are a group of extended family and for us family is the center or the core of values. We have close family tie relationship. My maternal and paternal lines came from one ethnic group so there is not that much a big adjustment for both family sides because we practice same traditions, have same culture and speak same ethnic language. Basically, the main rule is respecting the elders. Sometimes opinions are least accepted from younger generations and always the elders have the right in making decisions and mostly younger generations should ponder thoughts and experiences from the elders in the family or clan. We are not allowed to call our elders through their first name because it is an act of disrespect and family and clan could dis-own you. Though calling names must comes with the title first. We used words that titles to address the elders and older siblings as a sign of respect. The criteria are on the different level of ordinal status in the family, gender and to the family degree of affiliation. We used titles to the elders within actual blood and to some non-blood line relationship (like the godmother and godfather). Another practice in the culture is giving respect to the elders by a physical gesture of taking the hand of an elder and bringing it towards your forehead. This is a sign of respect for the elder and is usually done at the point of greeting or farewell. Children are expected to perform this gesture towards adult relatives & adult family friends. Failure to perform "mano po" would be considered as disrespectful.

There is not that much trend between large or small family however we both have family gathering every week or twice a month basically for family ties and introducing new family members. Yes, there are family members (basically in-laws) came from different ethnic group. I would say there is a social impact because they came from different ethnic groups, traditions and practices. However, as we know each other and basically adapt and adjust different culture we get along with them and vice versa. Within clan, there are only 3 (including me) who are married from different race. This resulted to a very big impact especially to social interactions because some members of the family have a difficulty in communicating since some didn’t speak the language at all. My husband is a Caucasian has also experienced difficulty of communication with some members in the clan. He had also experienced culture shock. However, he adjusted well and though I know it is difficult for him to interact to some of the members in the family but he gets along with them and sometimes used sign or body language as another form of communication.

4. Conclude your post from your own perspective. (20 pts)

Do you know the relatives on both your mother and father’s side of the family well?

·         Yes.

Do you socialize equally with them? Why or why not?

·         When I was in my country, I socialize with them equally because each of us were taught to treat each one as equal person. However, in socializing aspect we treat our elders with outmost respect. Since I am in this country communication is somewhat expensive because not everybody has the access of technologies for communication.

Which members of your family have the most influence in decisions made in the family? Explore why this is the case.  

·         My parents are considered the most influenced person who makes decisions in the family. For us the elders have more knowledge about decision making and they have enough experience for the years they spent.

 Are family members who marry into the family treated differently than members born into the family?  

·         Once somebody married in the clan we treat them as one of our own. As well as we respect what ethnic group or race they came from.

Are their different attitudes towards family members based upon gender? Describe.

·         Basically yes. Since we practiced patriarchal. Well, I guess most of us do. Gender wise, traditionally women are just a housewife, cooks food, do laundry, clean house and takes care of children while the husband provide food, shelter, clothing and men also are the one who makes the family decision. However, there is also time evolution. Most family never practiced a traditional patriarchal system. Wife just like their husband both contributing financially in the household and both are involve in decision making. Though the head of the family is still the father.

What insights have you learned about your family through this exercise?

·         It reminds me of the culture that I came from and that each culture is unique and even no matter what ethic group or race you came from, the family always extend acceptance and mostly respect. That family is the basic foundation of the society and the core of values. Besides not all ethnic group are literate but still we show respect towards them. My grandparents never finished high school yet we listen to their words of wisdom and respect them. The key word is Respect. When somebody feels like that my or anybody’s idea and views is different we respect it and you must learn to respect it. We understand how to accept other ethnic groups around us because they are also part of the community. I do not condemn the practice of freedom of expression but here in this country, sometimes they used their freedom beyond the limit that even kids are the one who discipline their parents and not the parents who should impart discipline to their children. Neither we do not send our elders or old parents to Home of the Old people or so called nursing homes instead we take care of them and that’s how we show family values. Though many of us migrate in different country but the values, cultures, traditions still never forgotten. The kinship is still mutual even some do not live in the same area or country.

Kinship Family Chart

(My maternal family chart)

 

*Title used before the name (like Ate Sally, Kuya Richard, Lolo Ignacio, Tiya Benetta, Tiyo Ricardo)- title used before the first name as sign of respect.

^Universal title for both gender (male or female) but not necessary used as title before the names.