Jeffrey R. Ballaret

This phenomenological study explores in depth the complex cultural realities faced by Filipino families as they welcome back their formerly incarcerated relatives. It fills a gap by providing an expanded view of how Filipino families navigate this important juncture, revealing distinctive cultural aspects that shape the process of reentry and influence returning inmates and their families. The research outcome thus explicates the experiences involved in reintegration processes. Returning prisoners, together with their families are profoundly affected by stigma, resilience, forgiveness, and cultural identity factors that unfold throughout the narratives. Family stories in their transformational nature highlight areas of strength for each family struggling on “behind the bars and beyond.” In addition, knowledge gained from this study provides a culturally sensitive view on this journey thereby filling existing gaps while guiding future services and policies that will facilitate successful reentry for individuals released from prison.

This qualitative research study explored the family formation processes and parenting experiences of same-sex couples in the unique socio-cultural context of the Philippines. While same-sex relationships and LGBTQ + rights have gained increasing recognition globally, the Philippines remains a conservative society with deeply rooted traditional norms and religious influences. It delved into the complexities of family formation, including relationship initiation, and decision-making processes regarding parenting. Findings suggest that same-sex couples in the Philippines employ diverse strategies to create families, such as adoption, and raising children of a family relative. These strategies are often influenced by factors such as familial support, and socio-cultural norms. The parenting experiences of same-sex couples revealed both shared challenges, such as discrimination and exclusion, as well as unique opportunities for reshaping traditional gender roles within the household. By highlighting the lived experiences of these couples, this study advocates for a more inclusive understanding of family structures and challenges the prevailing heteronormative discourse. The findings underscored the need for policy initiatives that safeguard the rights of LGBTQ + individuals and families, while fostering social acceptance and understanding within the Philippines’ cultural framework.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unparalleled challenge to Filipino family structures, necessitating swift adaptations and transformations to navigate the “new normal.” Through semistructured interviews and focus group discussions, this study engaged with diverse Filipino families across different socioeconomic backgrounds and cultural contexts. The findings revealed key insights into the ways in which Filipino family structures have adapted and evolved in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic: (a) reshaping familial roles and responsibilities; (b) enhanced communication patterns; and (c) resilience and solidarity. These findings illuminated the resilience, adaptability, and strength of Filipino family structures in the face of adversity. They underscored the importance of understanding the intricate changes taking place within these families and offer insights for policymakers, educators, and support systems aiming to address the evolving needs of Filipino households in the postpandemic world.

The Filipino family dynamics have evolved because of globalization and migration. This has changed the traditional family norms in the Philippines. As a result, the number of Stay-At-Home-Fathers (SAHFs) has increased, with fathers becoming primary givers and mothers becoming breadwinners. A phenomenological qualitative study was utilized in this study to understand the lived experiences of SAHFs focused on their life history, present experiences, and their reflections on hopes and aspirations. Reasons for becoming a SAHF are largely based on the socioeconomic status of the family and the readiness to end the cycle of poverty. Though there is an increased number of SAHFs, they continue to face isolation, stereotypes, and stigma. They expressed a desire for greater appreciation and understanding of their parental and emotional lives as fathers while finding balance in their new role and contribution to the family.

Transnational familyhood involves care reconfiguration and shifting roles among Filipino migrants and the family left-behind. This study investigates how experiences and practices of transnational care arrangements are negotiated from the perspective of the nonparental carers. It specifically aims to understand its dynamics and patterns in shaping care relationships, normative familial values and the hope to reconstitute the family amidst migration-induced care. Results of the study showed that the grandmothers of the migrating parents were commonly entrusted with child fostering and reliance, which to encompass mediation in the relationship of migrant parents and left-behind children. As they shoulder majority of caregiving responsibilities, they often face differing burdens of caregiving, mediation and ageing. The lived realities and socio-cultural facet of grandparent-caregiving reveal their unconditional love to the migrants’ family, thus enduring the challenges of navigating transnational parenting. The critical role of grandparents as nonparental carers in the case of Filipino transnational families demands greater recognition in the development of programs and policies to highlight an integrated family and health assistance responsive to them in the areas of transnational care arrangements, care sharing, collaboration and the shifting responsibilities and expectations. It is hoped to cultivate stronger family connectedness and intimacy.

Transnational motherhood continues to grow among Filipina mothers. It resulted in economic prosperity and quality of life of Filipino families but caused family pressures within the sphere of motherhood. This qualitative study is grounded through the philosophical lens of phenomenology aimed to explore the lived experiences of transnational mothers. It seeks to understand their life history, present experiences that redefined their motherhood, and reflections of the future. The lived experiences of transnational mothers began with the experience of the personal and structural dimensions of poverty in the past. Their decision to embark on labor migration was primarily instrumental to alleviate their life condition. However, mothering from a distance has ensued emotional, social, and psychological strains. To cope with the situation, they observed four central coping ways: the role of faith and prayer; the repression of emotional strains through work and friends; focus and positive thinking; and the rationalization of distance by way of regular virtual communication and remittances. The hopes of transnational mothers revealed their yearning for family reunification predicated on improving their family life through financial security, savings, and children's education. This intersection between motherhood and labor migration has therefore created new family forms, structures, roles, meaning, and expectations.