Cultural integration in Filipino-Japanese intermarriages: Language, traditions, and social relations

• Main Authors: Acaylar, Michiko, Santos, Maureen Joy, Victoria, Joahnna Frances
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Intermarriages > Japan; Intermarriages > Philippines
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7983
• Institution: De La Salle University

The study was an examination of the integration in the unions of Japanese and Filipino culture in intermarriage by determining the similarities between both in the aspects of culture that are language traditions, in terms of home management, child rearing, and religion and relationship with family and the community and where there are differences present, the adjustment strategies that are applied by either partner. The research was a descriptive type of research that employed a case study method, utilizing a semi-structured interview guide. The respondents were selected through the process of purposive non-probability sampling, and consisted of 10 Japanese husbands and 10 Filipino wives currently residing in the Philippines with at least 1 child. Nine couples were interviewed face-to-face while one couple answered in written form and was updated through phone interview. The researchers found that there is integration in terms of home management and child-rearing styles, and Filipino-style decision-making, Japanese language, and food, have also been brought into the marriage. The Filipino and Japanese have similarities in traditions in terms of home management and the role of husband and wife. The Filipino and Japanese differed in the degree of expectations for the husband and wife, food, household style, and religion. Some of the conflicts between the couple included: language, type of family and food preparation. The Filipino wives made the most adjustments by being flexible, sociable and adaptable to new surroundings. They adjusted to the language, food, and to family living matters.