Cultural Background Essay Example

States values equality, it can result in disputes over power. Nonetheless, this culture permits individuals to freely express their opinions even if some may view it as impolite or confrontational. In contrast, retirement homes are prevalent in America while the Philippines has a custom of taking care of elderly relatives. Filipino culture typically adheres to traditional norms while American culture tends towards liberalism. Moreover, demonstrating respect for social status and hierarchy is imperative when communicating in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, it is customary to address relatives as tita/tito (aunt/uncle) or kuya/ate (older brother/sister) when communicating. On the other hand, such titles are not commonly utilized in the United States. Filipinos are renowned for their remarkable memory, intelligence, keen perception, artistic and scientific talents. Furthermore, they are recognized for being courteous, hospitable and amiable.

The foundation of stability and support in society is the Filipino family, which is rooted in strong familial bonds. These bonds extend beyond immediate family members to encompass aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, godparents, sponsors, and close family friends. The deep connection between parents and children involves significant sacrifices made by the former and reciprocated with love, respect, and care as they age.

It is customary for numerous godparents to be present in the lives of most Filipino children, as it is deemed desirable. The notion of "hiya" (embarrassment) serves as a motivating factor for conduct, with individuals being obliged to comply with established codes of behavior. Breaching these standards not only causes shame upon oneself but also on one's family.

Instead of feeling shame about their financial situation, some individuals may demonstrate a willingness to overspend on celebrations. Although the unemployment rate in the Philippines

is only double that of the United States (5%), approximately 40% of the population lives below the poverty line (Cultural Background Essay 4, estimate from 2001). Despite having over 32 million individuals in its labor force, recent Filipino immigrants residing in America send billions of dollars to their relatives back home, making them the largest source of hard currency for their country (Schoenberger, 1994).

Although the Philippines is plagued by various natural disasters such as typhoons, landslides, cyclonic storms, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes and tsunamis, agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for 40% of its workforce. Consequently, a significant proportion of working individuals in the country are impoverished. The CIA has reported that financial damages from natural calamities occur regularly in the Philippines; however, this contrasts with the United States.

The CIA (2002) reports that financing prescription drugs for seniors through Medicare is a challenge, given that the United States has a 12.6% population of individuals aged 65 and over. In comparison, the elderly population in the Philippines is only 3.7%. Although Filipino culture reveres elders, they typically live with their immediate family rather than in nursing homes. Additionally, the birth rate in the Philippines is almost twice as high as in the United States.

According to the CIA (2002) report, even though the Philippines has a lower childbirth rate per 1000 population compared to that of the United States, their infant mortality rate is almost four times higher. Furthermore, it is important to mention that the Philippines is Asia's sole Christian country.

The Philippines has a predominantly Christian population, with over 90% of the people following this religion. Roman Catholics constitute 83%, while Protestants account for 9%.

Muslims are the largest religious minority and are mainly found in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. There are also smaller communities that practice Buddhism, animism, and belong to the Philippine Independence Church. According to CIA World Fact Book 2002, Muslims make up 5%, while those categorized as "Other," including Buddhists, represent 3% of the total population. It is worth noting that these religious demographics differ from those found in America.

According to CIA's Cultural Background Essay 5 sec. 3, the Philippines is composed of 56% Protestants, 28% Roman Catholics, 2% Jews, with 4% falling in the other category and 10% having no religious affiliation. This uniformity in religious affiliation serves as a strong cohesive force, distinguishing it from other Asian nations. Ultimately, while the Philippines and the United States share some similarities and differences - such as being Christian nations with distinct economic classes and environmental hurdles - these variations also set them apart from each other.

The Philippines have been shaped by various influences, including Spanish Catholicism, American occupation, and Asian traditions. The economy heavily relies on agriculture and light industry, while the United States is a highly advanced industrial superpower. Due to their agricultural base and high number of impoverished citizens, daily life in the Philippines is significantly influenced by their climate, terrain, and frequent natural disasters.

Fully understanding foreign cultures requires an open-minded approach that avoids comparing or judging against one's own culture. Instead, individuals should focus on identifying positive aspects of life while adapting to current situations. An open mind is crucial not only for cultural diversity but also for comprehending life as a whole.

The data about the Philippines is available in The World

Fact Book 2002 by the Central Intelligence Agency, which was last modified on August 21, 2008 and viewed on September 1, 2008 at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/. Moreover, Destination Philippines includes a discussion of Philippine culture. All this content has been enclosed within HTML paragraph tags.The source "Lonely Planet World Guide" can be found at http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/philippines/. Additionally, a statement from Schoenberger in 1994 on the topic of Values and Family is also provided.The website "Living in the Philippines" discusses various aspects of life in the country, including living, retiring, traveling, and doing business. This information was accessed in 2001 from http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/values and remains available as of September 1, 2008.

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