Filipino Values: Social Acceptance, Economic Security

Definition of Values

• Values are fundamental human concepts that are defined differently by anthropologists and sociologists
• F. Lando Jocano (1997) defines values as standards against which actions are organized, and experiences interpreted and evaluated
• John Macionis (2006) considers values as culturally defined standards used to evaluate prestige, goodness, and attractiveness, which form the basis for social living
• Hunt, Green, Espiritu, and Quisumbing (1995) state values are motivators for behavior, that show what society finds important and provide courses of action when facing choices
• Fr. Frank Lynch says values are standards used for decision-making, classified as aims or goals

Themes of Filipino Values

• Social Acceptance is a key Filipino value
• Economic Security and Social Mobility are key Filipino values
• Reciprocity is a key Filipino value

Social Acceptance

• Social Acceptance is accepting individuals for who they are and treating them equally
• Two values that aid social acceptance are smoothness of interpersonal relations (SIR) and shame and self-esteem ("amor propio")

Smoothness of Interpersonal Relations (SIR)

• Lynch (1963) defines SIR as being agreeable, even in tough situations, keeping quiet when necessary
• Three ways to achieve SIR are:
  • Pakikisama: derived from "sama", it means accepting the leader or majority's decision for unity
  • Euphemism: stating unpleasant truths or requests as pleasantly as possible
  • Go-between: using a third party to appease, mend disagreements, or avoid conflicts

Shame (Hiya) and Self-Esteem (Amor Propio)

• Behaving against social acceptance results in social sanctions using shame ("hiya") and "amor propio"
• Jocano argues that "hiya" and "amor propio" are specific conduct rules Filipinos follow to prevent conflicts based on emotions
  • Shame (Hiya): Lynch (1963) defines it as discomfort from being socially inappropriate or doing something unacceptable
  • Self-Esteem (Amor Propio): defense against interpersonal unpleasantness, shown as personal insult; sensitive to retaining, not attaining, social acceptance

Economic Security and Social Mobility

• Economic or financial security is having stable income/resources to maintain a living standard, including:
  • Probable continued solvency
  • Predictable future cash flow
  • Employment/job security
• Social Mobility: movement of people between social strata, a change in social status relative to one's current social location
  • Horizontal Mobility: change in position at the same social level
    • Example: A nurse moving to another hospital
  • Vertical Mobility: movement between social levels
    • Example: Moving from poor to middle class

Reciprocity

• Reciprocity is the Filipino value of returning favors or requests
• Mary Racelis Hollnsteiner (1963) defines three types of reciprocity in the Philippines:
  • Contractual Reciprocity
    • Voluntary agreement to behave a certain way at a specific time in the future
    • Strictly contractual with clearly defined arrangements
    • The obligation is narrow, without emotional involvement
    • Participants understand expectations
    • Participants are not forced to do more than expect
  • Quasi-Contractual Reciprocity
    • Repayments based on community culture
    • Regulates balanced exchanges without explicitly discussing terms beforehand
    • Exchange should be equal in value
    • No interest unless there is a failure to return within a certain period
    • Cultural norms compel individuals
    • Repayment has no set time, expected when a similar situation arises
  • Utang na Loob
    • Transfer of goods/services between groups, compelling the recipient to show gratitude to settle the debt with interest
    • Unequal repayment with implied agreement
    • Common examples:
      • Lifelong gratitude of children to parents
      • Lifetime obligation to family/friend supporting education
      • Helping a non-relative living in one's house
      • Gratitude for free services from professionals
      • Lending in times of need
      • Giving gifts to high position officials during Christmas
      • Showing gratitude during events like baptisms, graduations etc
      • Sending gifts to government officials who facilitated documents
      • Securing a job through intermediaries
      • Using intermediaries to gain privileges