U.S. and “Them”: The American Hegemonic Legacy and the Formation of Filipino-American Relationships through Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Postcolonial Feminism

Abstract

This study examines the political and sociocultural dynamics of Filipino-American relationships through the lens of Orientalism, Occidentalism, and Postcolonial Feminism. Using critical discourse analysis of American men's profiles on FilipinoCupid.com and semi-structured interviews with Filipina informants, it highlights the impact of colonial legacies and digital platforms in perpetuating power imbalances and racialized stereotypes. Findings reveal that Filipinas seek relationships driven by personal, individual aspirations, with idealizations of American men rooted in Occidentalism, whereas American men’s portrayals and expectations align with Orientalist fantasies. Even so, the rise of postcolonial feminism highlights the desire of Filipinas to redefine their individual identities within a broader cultural and historical context by voicing out their desires and fighting back against the stereotypification they face in online dating platforms and transnational relationships. The study underscores the interplay of historical and modern influences in shaping transnational relationships.