Configuring Common Toxic Filipino Family Culture: A Literature Review

Abstract

Toxic family culture is one of the taboo topics in most Filipino households. Thus, studies have shown that toxic cultures are often passed on after each generation due to families undergoing behaviors and belief systems that have been normalized for the longest time. This study aims to recognize the existence of toxic family cultures and realize their impact on every family member's well-being. In this literature review, the main sources of data are empirical studies that have been published throughout the years. Results show that toxic Filipino family cultures exist and that they contribute to the intergenerational cycles of dysfunction and pertinent issues among the younger family members such as academic pressure and burnout, anxieties, stress, depression, delinquency, child aggression and other external behavioral issues. It is recommended that ways of identifying and acknowledging toxic family cultures and their long-term behavioral impacts that currently exist among Filipino households are essential. Further studies need to explore special cases of Filipino families to achieve in-depth and qualitative understanding of micro-situations and occurrence of toxic culture impacts among family members.