FIGHT OR FLIGHT: Overseas Filipino Workers' Influence In Shaping the Political Outlook and Attitudes of their Children

Abstract

The traditional Filipino family is known for the closeness of its members with one another. Together, the family sees life, and walks through life—regardless what awaits them in the future. No matter how difficult life could be, the Filipino family maintains its togetherness in every struggle and every triumph. Today, in the age of rapid changes and certain uncertainties in the society, can the Filipino family still remain as a steady and strong source of strength of Juan dela Cruz? This research, entitled/Fight or Flight: Overseas Filipino Workers7 Influence in Shaping the Political Outlook and Attitudes of their Children" aims to answer whether or not the Overseas Filipinos influence their children's attitude towards government and political issues in the country in spite of the long distance between them and their children. The researcher conducted small group discussions and key informant interviews participated by OFW parents (from Hong Kong) and children of OFWs. By analyzing their family situation as case studies, the researcher was able to deduce whether they have a positive or negative outlook towards the Philippine government. Government authorities from the Philippine Consulate General in Hongkong and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Manila were interviewed regarding government assistance to the OFWs and their families. Members of the academe were also interviewed in order to analyze how OFW families perceive and how they act towards the Philippine government and why they do so. This research uses the process of political socialization as a theoretical framework. It shall provide how families become agents in the individual's formation of values and judgments in the field of politics. The researcher was able to deduce from the information based from the small group discussions and case studies that in spite of physical separation of OFWs to their children, they are still able to influence their children's outlook and attitude towards government and politics in the Philippines. Although, they weren't the only influence the children have, they still play their role as socialization agents by communicating to their families in the country their situation abroad. An open and honest communication system between OFW families maintains and even strengthens their relationship amidst long-term physical separation from each other. The researcher also found out that the OFW families are not really indifferent towards government and political issues, although they admit their little involvement with political issues. Their non-involvement is a manifestation of their dismay and hopelessness with the current system of governance in the country. The government authorities admit that the government has a lot of "cleaning up” to do in order to regain the public's trust, especially the OFW families' trust in the Pliilippine government. The research not only showed how OFW families perceive the government, but also, it showed how the Filipino family underwent transformation. The Filipino family is transformed from the traditionally and literally close family into a more liberal and an even stronger one—the one that knows no physical boundaries in making sacrifices to achieve betterment in life.