Psychological and Sociological Foundations of Education

Written Report

Chapter 10: Education and Philippine cultural Values

Submitted by: Estavillo, Shanin a. BBTE 3-1

Submitted to: Prof. Artemus G. Cruz

EDUCATION AND PHILIPPINE CULTURAL VALUES INTRODUCTION All agencies of society are agents of change and channels of improvement. However, education is specially and specifically charged with the function of teaching what society wants in terms of building the moral and ethical standards of the group. The lessons and experiences required in the early stages of life are the most important bases of the character and personality of the individual. Ethics, morality and values have to be taught to the young. PHILIPPINE CULTURAL VALUES Values may be defined as those standards to which a group or society judges the desirability and importance of persons, ideas, actions, goals and other socio-cultural objects. Values make things desirable, attractive, worthy of approval and those which society in its experience has found satisfying and worthwhile. Values are shared conceptions on convictions or beliefs in what are considered contributory to the welfare of the group. They give meaning significance to the totality of society and culture and influence the behavior of group members. Philippine culture, as previously mentioned, is in transition from the adherance and practice of the traditional to the modern and industrialized one. In this process of transition education is depended upon to be the driving force in the synchronization and the development of desirable values whether spiritual, socialor moral towads the attainment of national development goals.

Most native beliefs, convictions and values are found not only among Filipinos, because almost all of them constitute the elements in the value systems of other people. To identify which values belong to a culture one can apply the four tests presented by Robin Williams namely: 1. Extensiveness of the value in the total activity of the system. What proportion of a population and its activities manifest the value? 2. Duration of the value. Has it been persistently important over a considerable period of time? 3. Intensity with which the value is sought or maintained, as shown by: effort, crucial choices, verbal affirmation, and by reactions to threats to the value-for example promptness, certainty and severity of sanctions. 4. Prestige of value carriers that is, of persons, objects or organization considered to be bearers of the value. Culture heroes, for example, are esteem. In using the above criteria Philippine cultural values can be classified as: (1) nonrationalism, (2) social acceptance, (3) family closeness and security, (4) authority figure, (5) economic and social improvement value, (6) utang na loob, and (7) personalism. Although not inclusive nor arbitrary, these classify perceived values which are observed specially among the lowland Filipinos which constitute the majority in the Philippines. Non-rationalism this refers to the tendency to perceive thoughts, objects, events and persons as sacred. Individuals tend to build around them certain taboos, and to treat these with great respect. The individual looks at the universe as one in which he has little or no control. The world is inhabited by supernatural spirits which possess powers over man and the environment. He must pray, offer food to placate the spirits to cure illness and to provide a good harvest. Social Acceptance the Filipino wants to be accepted by his fellowmen for what he is and to be treated according to his status. In order to get along with people, one favorite pastime of Filipino is gambling. The propensity for gambling does not recognize class or economic status, even age. One finds school children playing cara y cruz in street corners gambling their meager baon away; housewives pass by the jueteng collector to use part of their market money for the chance of winning: a laborer, after collecting his weekly pay, either invests a small amount in the fronton or the bookies horse racing; and monte dens. pintakasi cock

fighting is common. Almost everyone buys sweepstakes tickets (now, the lotto) in the hope that Lady Luck might smile on him. Gambling is generally felt to offer an avenue to prosperity. EMOTIONAL CLOSENESS AND SECURITY OF THE FAMILY - The family is a place where one can come in contact with others in a free and spontaneous interaction. It is a haven of happiness and contentment when one is confronted by problems of the outside world. It is refuge from the anxieties and insecurities found outside the home. No wonder members avoid leaving the security of the Filipino home. Mutual dependence and mutual sharing specially of material goods are expected in the home. The success of a member means the success of the whole family; conversely, his mistakes and misdeeds are reflected also on all members of the family. Even when many have grown up and have raised their own families, pressure is still extended by the parents responsible for the conduct of their children. There is a continuing pressure on all members to keep brothers and sisters in line. There is mutual dependence among family members, financially and emotionally. This dependence has prevented them from accepting more lucrative positions and jobs if it will separate them from their families. However, nowadays economic pressures have encroached on this dependence; many have learned to postpone immediate and present benefits for future financial security by accepting overseas jobs.

References: Espiritu, Socorro, et. At., Social Issues, 1999 Bustos, Alicia, et. Al., Psychological, anthropological, and sociological foundations of education, 1996