Effects of Acculturation among the Filipinos - Research Paper Example

Effects of Acculturation among the Filipinos Objectives In numerous researches carried out in America, I tried to investigate how acculturation affects the level of education and employment opportunities and its effects and related health conditions in California among the Filipinos. Introduction The Filipinos are the largest Asian group who migrated to the US in 1965. They are the largest group of Asian origin in California and the larger US. In US, they remain the understudied group in research and in the United States. The group has been neglected in the education system because they are the blended group in the states. They are a product of the US colony and are proficient English speakers have long been integrated in the US culture. That is they have adapted to the US lifestyle, consumption patterns, and other cultural practices. According to Furjita-Roy the effects of education and employment led to several adaptations that the immigrants projected. This study was carried out in a Diego in California by first focusing on examination patterns and academic achievements, ambitions and identity shifts in relation to ethnicity. This is paradoxical because on one hand data from the socioeconomic states indicate that the Filipino immigrants are successful, assimilated, and acculturated. On the other hand, the data based on ethnic identity and the emotional wellbeing has suggested that there exists a concurrent counter trend. It is evident that the Filipino youths have refuted to the idea of assimilative identity, which is the America’s traditions. Furthermore, they register a lower self-esteem and a relatively higher level of depression as compared to the other immigrants in the US. Thus, I argue that the findings raised in this paper have raised many significant questions on the concepts of assimilation especially as an outlined linear process. The linear nature of the process allows it to increase the chances of assimilation and improve the immigrants’ outcome over a period of time and the next generation in US. Therefore, this paper begins with a broader view of the historical context of the migration of the Filipino to the states. In particular, I have concentrated at the research centre, Diego and the socioeconomic state of the Filipino. The research also bases on the varied academic achievements of the Filipinos. I then examine the meaning of growing as a child in San Diego. This focuses on the ethnic identity and the various perceptions that discrimination focuses. Furthermore, the paper deals with the quality of some family relationships and the attached emotions of the well-being. From this analysis on education, it is very clear that gender and race marks the vital aspects of the Filipino lives along which the Filipino immigrants are understood well. Research based on education Socio economic status, achievement, education, and ambition The Filipinos are the largest group among the college professions that are in the middle class group. From recent researches, there are more women among the Filipinos having attained the highest educational achievements, leading to a more sophisticated occupations and higher earnings in the end. From the study, fifty percent of the immigrants’ mother and thirty percent had a college degree. Promotion of workers based on the level of education with 60% of the women in white-collar jobs and 40% men (Azuma 88-89). This is because the Filipino men seem more acculturated as compared to women as they were more likely born in US. In schools, the girls’ grades were relatively higher than that of women in both the T1 and the T2 levels. The girls registered a GPA of 3.16 while boys registered 3.09. Immigrant women had a higher urge to good performance as compared to men. Several reasons have been outline as cause; difference in study habits as girls spent most of their time studying with minimum time spent on watching television. From the study, we can deduce that the Filipinos had higher aspirations in education. Furthermore, parents had more aspirations to their daughters as compared to the sons. The highest aspirations arose from, parents who had attained college education and out of the whole Filipinos population, 86% of the educated mothers had high hopes for their daughters as compared to 72% for male students. The difference arises due to the students’ desired occupation and their parents’ desires. Most male students were optimistic in attaining degrees related to engineering, business and many other science related degrees (Vergara 112). Ethnicity: Race, language and identity From the research carried out on socioeconomic suggests that most immigrants have achieved their economic assimilation. Cultural assimilation is determined by language preference and ethnic self-identity. Most of the Filipinos identified themselves with American origin therefore; they also identified themselves with native language, English. Race has also shaped the identity of the Filipinos in their struggle in beliefs and experiences in racial discrimination. From the study, most Filipinos rejected the idea of assimilation of the America but they equated the ‘white’ with the ‘America’. The process of equating whiteness to the Americans is a true reflection of a racialized the Filipinos history and other immigrants in America. The Asians in America are an inassimilable group and the whites are quintessential Americans. Therefore, the Asians remain foreigners within the non-American. The Filipinos are believed to be a racialized group in not only America but also it started in homeland as America affected the social, economic, and culture of the Filipinos. 90% of the Filipinos contented with the fact that racial discrimination in America was growing very fast (Vindua 99). These rejections were even among the Filipinos themselves. By 1995, 63.5% of the Filipinos experienced discrimination among themselves. The increase in discrimination is due to the growth of the anti-immigrant sentiment embodied in propositions carried out in California in 1994. Therefore, those immigrants who forced their origins were under pressure to confront their background information and identity despite the legality as immigrants who had now successfully assimilated in the economy of the US. A majority of the Filipinos did not identify themselves as Americans due to racial and ethnic rejection and exclusion. According to Garcia, depression and self-esteem are the two psychological factors that aid one to adapt to a specific psychology of the Filipinos (234). Despite the educational achievements and fluency in English language, that the Filipinos experienced is associated with psychological well being and positive self-esteem. Filipino women registered a relatively a low level of self-esteem as compared to men. However, the level of girls’ self-esteem rose faster as compared to that of boys. Despite high growth of the levels, there is a maintained gap of depression. From Wolf’s study on college enrolment among the Filipinos, she found out that out of twenty-two students, six female students had suicidal thinking or some had ever attempted committing suicide. Pressure from parents for better performance in class caused this. Just like other immigrants, Filipinos found out that the family was the source of social cultural pride. Furthermore, the Filipinos believed themselves as being superior to men as compared to the white Americans because they had more families that were oriented and willing to sacrifice for one another. Discussion/conclusion Therefore, what is the situation that is linked to growing in America as an immigrant? The second generation of Filipinos moves towards being ethnic rather than identifying themselves as Americans. Despite this they conform to the forces behind assimilation due to a strong believe in American dream. They also prefer English as their language just like the natives. Therefore, ethnic identification is more complex and dynamic social progress than the recent predictions by the pluralist and the assimilationist. In other relevant studies, it was found out that young Filipino immigrants registered a higher level of aspirations, more academic requirements, and higher grades (McDermont 145). In addition, the Filipinos experience serious family conflict, lower levels of self-esteem and more depression as compared to male counterparts. Thus, the process of assimilation is more complex because it underscores rather than just navigating through defined path destined to a sense of belonging and ease. Therefore, this process encourages a critical redefinement of assimilation. Second research: Employment opportunities in America Employment opportunities: The context of the Filipino migration According to Garcia factors that controlled employment among the immigrants is employment (302). People migrate to other countries to seek employment for their up keep. Despite the various benefits attached to employees in the host countries in US, it was a different case. The immigrants encountered numerous challenges as they adapted to the values and norms in the host country and their cultural practices. That is, the immigrants suffered the double jeopardy in dealing with the several stresses of living in a new country and a new society. Therefore, the stressors affected the health issues of the immigrants. Reports from prior researches involving the native workers have revealed that stressors can affect the psychological and the physical working environment. The effects concerning welfare of the workers has been effectively analyzed I the research. Various immigrants analyze this in relation to their experiences. Thus, the relationship between the native and the immigrants on employment opportunities is very different. The difference may occur in terms of the job security, which may differ in terms of language status, documentation status, and discrimination. Immigrants: Job stressors From the studies, we can deduce that some immigrants such as farm workers in the Carolina states rated long working hours, language barriers, lifestyle, insecure job security, legal status, and financial constrains as most stressful. From similar studies on afro Caribbean, immigrants from Africa especially the taxi drivers, who worked in Canada, reported that working conditions were a big threat to health (Furjita-Roy 86-88). As a supplement to the their socio economic status and the relative factors that determined the amount of money the drivers got out of this, it posed a very big threat to the drivers. The drivers were subjected to racial discrimination, immense working hours and skipping of meals at the expense of income. Another study reported that the immigrants experienced racial discrimination and ethnic societies. This discrimination was associated to numerous injuries and illness. The workers reported to have faced heavy and risky duties. Work related to health among the Filipinos In America, the immigrants came from both Asia and Latin America. The Asian community is speculated to have been up to 35.8 million people in the year 2000. Filipinos is the Asian community that faces ethnic discrimination in employment opportunities. In 2000, the Philippines are believed to have been the second largest group after Mexico. Despite their largest population, the group has been lowly represented in both education and employment opportunities. They have filled the major industries in US as jobless both in the formal and the informal sector. The Philippines government supported its economy by allowing numerous people to flee to the states for employment. From the study, the immigrants contributed 13.5% of the country’s economy. Research has revealed that the Filipino immigrant workers stressed during their stay as immigrant workers. From a sample of 16 Filipino workers, 62% reported insensitivity I the management team. Furthermore, 80% of the workers reported on racism while 69% represented those who lacked mentors in their profession. Furthermore, reports have revealed that more Filipino workers faced these problems as compared to the other immigrants like Asian and Japanese (Baldoz 134). Adaptations to stress in job The first problem that the immigrants faced was adapting to the new environment in US. They also faced with the problem of acculturation to the new ways of life among the US. For instance, the acculturated behaviors ranged from economic status, skills in English, and the immigration status. From the research, I deduced that acculturation is a result of depression and anxiety. The victims also faced vulnerable diseases and associated health problems (Baldoz 243). Furthermore, the stressors are a threat to the US acculturates values as compared to the immigrants. In a study of the Korean male immigrants, I deduced that the recent immigrants registered the highest rates in demoralization and depression levels. Stress levels increased with increase in the number of years of stay in US. In addition, the American immigrants became healthier as compared to the natives but their health deteriorated with time in their stay in US. From the research, overweight arose due to staying for long in US and mingling with the natives especially in Canada and Hispanics. From the study, we can deduce that there are reasons, which prove that the association between health and the immigrants is non-static. Increase in the time of stay, the workers adapt fully to the challenges in adjusting to their jobs. Therefore, stress that arises from adapting lessens due to familiarization to the new environment in the host country (Bell 276). Moreover, the individuals reduce in their stress levels after the acquisition of resources in order to mitigate the stressors and advancement in jobs that reduces the hazard nature. In contrast are new immigrants who find it hard to get employment opportunities and fewer resources. Therefore, a certain level of job stressors may appear more potent to new immigrants as compared to more established immigrants. In this research, I focused on the following hypothesis: 1. Job stress in Filipino is directly linked to numerous illnesses among the immigrants. 2. Duration of stay in the state will be associated positively with illnesses; as such, the immigrants will be adversely affected with illnesses for the longer they will stay in US. 3. The job duration and stress in America will be able to moderate each other such that effects of the stress in the jobs are practical among the new immigrants. Filipinos unlike the other immigrants come from a US former colony. Thus, the history of the US is best explained in the post and the colonial context. The Americans took over the Philippines in 1898 during the Spanish war. This, made it extent its manifest towards the pacific. The US community adversely affected the Philippines society. The two countries had a strong business and military connections and thus it highly Americanized the Philippines culture. They were affected in terms of values, the politics, and the way in which the superior lead their lives. Due to colonization, the education of the Filipinos was changed adhehering to the American standards and curriculum. In America, English was the official language that was used. Thus, a Renato Constantio a Filipino historian asserted that the colonial education system emerged because of Americanization and assimilation. This made the Americans to have a superior feeling about their culture and the American society as a model of the elites. The Filipinos migrated to the US with a preconceived perception that America was a land of opportunities (McDermont 167). The Filipino workers in the US were just like other immigrants, served as labor force. The Filipinos became the most favored group after restriction of more Chinese and Japanese immigration. The Filipinos became the free immigrants, which increased their chances as the only available source of labor supply. Philippines produced laborers in the sugar plantations in Hawaii in California. The whites despised the Filipinos and this led to restrictions on immigration of Filipinos to improve their standards of living. The few exempted Filipinos served in the US navy and they were further recruited after us acquired the Spain on 1898. Despite discrimination, the Filipinos served in the navy in many positions. Immediately after the war, the government restricted the Filipinos from holding posts as stewards or mess attendants in the navy. The navy later amended its policies so that it could grant the immigrants the chance to occupy any position. Due to higher population, the Filipinos experienced scarce employment opportunities affected by the US educational sector. Thus, the Filipinos were given the opportunity to emigrate, which they refuted because the push was politically driven. From 1960, Philippines have been the highest supplier of professional immigrants towards the US government. Health practitioners, nurses, and doctors are now represented among the Filipino immigrants. They were recruited to as workers in US hospitals, homes, nursing, and other health organizations. In 1966 and 1985, Philippines produced 25,000 nurses who immigrate to US. In the Philippine nursing programs aims at producing nurses that are of US standards. However, when the nurses start working in US, racial discrimination and strict licensing procedures become vital forcing most Filipinos nurses to work as nurse aides or laboratory assistants. Some trained immigrant nurse find themselves working in very different fields in relation to their field of study (Azuma 91). Methods From the research (done in 1998 to 1999) among the Filipinos, it was deduced that from the random selection various criteria were considered (Baldoz 99). First, they were to be of Filipino heritage and stayed in California. Aspects of language were considered during the study. Measures From the study, we identified chronic conditions dependent variable that composed high blood pressure, arthritis, trouble in breathing and many others. Analysis From the study, the variable specification was under direction from exploratory analysis, which included checking of relevant values, correlation that was between the study measures and distribution pattern. From the study, the dependent variable was count, and then various analyses conducted with regard to the negative binomial regression. In the study, continuous predictors were centered on, mean to reduce numerous co linearity and help in facilitating the interpretation of intercept. Furthermore, the job interaction and duration were examined. Results From the study, the mean age was 42.7 years. Females were the dominant group with average years of education of 11.7. The participants were workers in the civil service with an annual salary of $25,000. From the study, the average number of years was 15 years. In California, health conditions linked to the job concerns and the intended duration. (Azuma 132). From the study, we found out that those who reported a higher-level job concern and lived more years in US similarly reported a higher level of physical health conditions. Discussion From the study, it was concerned with the association between health conditions and job concerns. The primary influence in the study was duration of stay in US. From the findings work that was directly associated with stressors is directly associated with adverse outcomes from health especially among the Filipinos. It was observed that the newer the immigrant the higher the rate of stress. From the study, new Filipinos had trouble to the jobs in America and the general working culture. Therefore, there are speculations that are the immigrants found adapting to these conditions with ease. From other researches, it was found out that adjustment to the new health care. For better adaptations, equal training among the Filipinos was mandatory to promote opportunities and sensitize culture among the immigrants. From the research that was done by Kim, it was evident that individual perception of for controlling a person’s life weakened with association to stressors of acculturation. From this study, it was clear that there is need for both internal and external resources on which the Filipinos may draw mitigation and the effects of the stressors. Therefore, for future investigations measures of coping up with the situations should be included in the research. In US, few new immigrants found opportunities in employment opportunities and job availability. They were hindered from job opportunities due to work permit and other documents that took long to process. Thus, the immigrants were liable t better and stable job opportunities due to increase in earnings and status at place of work. From other relevant sources, immigrant workers’ status for instance job opportunities, unemployment and job mobility greatly improved due to the duration one stayed in US. Thus, we recommend future research should encompass factors such as mobility, job tenure, history, and selection while examining stress and job concerns among the immigrants. Moreover, job concerns scales includes constructs similar to scales that measures jobs stress. Thus, future studies should actually consider instruments meant to obtain good measures of job stress. During the research concerns about specificity of the working experience of the immigrant in relation to language, status of the immigrant, discrimination and job seeking behaviors. Thus, we recommend that in the future studies investigation on job stressors among the immigrants and incorporate concepts meant to better on the measure about issues that are relevant to the experience of the immigrant. Works Cited Azuma, Eiichiro. Between Two Empires: Race, History, and Transnationalism in Japanese America. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print. Baldoz, Rick. The Third Asiatic Invasion (Nation of Newcomers). New York: NYU Press Reference, 2011. Print. Bell, Walter. The Philippines in World War II, 1941-1945: A Chronology and Select Annotated Bibliography of Books and Articles in English (Bibliographies and Indexes in Military Studies). Boston: Greenwood, 1999. Print. Fujita-Rony, Dorothy. American Workers, Colonial Power: Philippine Seattle and the Transpacific West, 1919-1941. California: University of California Press, 2003. Print. Garcia, Cynthia. Immigrant Stories: Ethnicity and Academics in Middle Childhood (Child Development in Cultural Context). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. McDermott, John. People and Cultures of Hawaii: The Evolution of Culture and Ethnicity. California: University of Hawaii Press, 2011. Print. Vergara, Benito. Pinoy Capital: The Filipino Nation in Daly City (Asian American History & Culture). New York: Temple University Press, 2008. Print. Vindua, Kristine. The relationship between acculturation and adherence to cultural values and its effect on the mental health of Philippine-born and U.S.-born Filipino Americans. New York: ProQuest, UMI Dissertation Publishing, 2011. Print. Read More