The role of women in the Philippines:
Filipino women, filipina or Pinay (Kababaihan sa Pilipinas) is explained based on the context of Filipino culture, standards, and mindsets. The Philippines is described to be a nation of strong women. Who directly and indirectly run the family unit, businesses, government, agencies and haciendas.
Although they generally define themselves in the milieu. Because of a male-dominated post-colonial society. Filipino women live in a culture, that is focused on the community. With the family as the main unit of society. But not always as this is a stereotype.
It is in this framework of Philippine hierarchical structure. That class differences, religious justifications, and living in a globally developing nation wherein Filipino women struggle for respect. Compared to other parts of Southeast Asia, women in Philippine society have always enjoyed a greater share of equality.
Marriage and relationships:
Courtship and relationships in the Philippines are conservative in nature. The man will have to court the woman and prove his love for her before he can win her heart. Sometimes the courtship period would last for years. However, this is a very old fashion.
Parents prefer their daughter to be courted in their own home. So that they can have a chance to know the man. It is during the courtship period that the man would put his best foot forward. To create a good impression on the woman and her family. Generally, the man is being measured on being a gentleman and ability to respect the woman’s family. And servitude the extent of what he was willing to do to prove his love for the woman.
Courtship and relationships.
Remain the same for rural and urban areas despite the modern western influence. Because of a tradition that emphasizes that the family is the core social unit, especially for the Filipino wife. Because it hinders the development or progress of the basic community unit. Women in the pre-colonial Philippines enjoyed nearly equal status with men.
Prior to colonization, both men and women could get a divorce for the following reasons. Failure to meet family obligations, childlessness, and infidelity. Since a man needed to pay a dowry to the woman’s family. Then she required to give it back, should she be found at fault.
In the Philippines, society valued offspring regardless of gender. Female were as valuable as male ones. Mainly because they recognized that women are as important as men.
Equal opportunities for their children.
Filipino daughters can also go to school like Filipino sons. Filipino daughters can also inherit property like Filipino sons, and Filipino daughters can also become village chiefs like Filipino sons.
In 1994, the John and Lorena Bobbitt case, in which a wife cut off the penis of her sleeping husband. Seized the attention of media in the Philippines. Which reported that a similar incident had occurred in Cebu, the previous November. The practice of mail-order brides, and marital rape.
Filipino women, filipina or Pinay. Read more…
Pingback: