Affluence vs, Discord, Repositioning Family Values-Challenge for the 21st Filipino Family

ABSTRACT

Discord has brought upon the migrant workers a dilemma whether to remain in the country of their origin and remain poor, or work outside of the country yet frought with stupendous emotional, social and psychological problems. The Filipino however, has learned ways to cope, thanks to improvements in transportation and communications media. Fact is, several sectors in the Philippine society consider this a non-issue. The Philippines belong to the Third World. The affluence gained by working abroad not only benefits the immediate family but also the entire country as well. Even the workers themselves have earned the title "hero'" for saving the country of its dismal economic situation.

This paper is not a commentary on the heroism of the migrant worker. Nor it is exclusively about the migrant worker's social situation. This is about the present Filipino family, inside and outside of the country, how they grapple with present realities- the pressure to come up with added income to live a life of economic security and affluence, what they sacrifice and the implications engendered on the history of social well-being and harmony in the country. This is an attempt to create a social history during the time of globalization in a country that is predominantly Christian which places a premium on values rather than materialistic acquisition. Thus, presentation will focus on the impact on transition values of present day youth as a result of this phenomenon.

Research using both oral and written histories will guide this writer's aim to input a documented, descriptive and comparative, in terms of time frame, history of the Filipino family towards profiling the Asian of the present generation.