Despite Prejudism; a preconceived opinion, affective feeling towards a person or group member based solely on their group; back in time when Filipinos had the opportunity to enter Japan due to in-demand of entertainment in clubs, there are still Filipinos who were able to strengthen their relationship and marriages with their Japanese partners up to today.
Some research shows that 2 out of 3 couples in Japan ended their marriage by divorce. We tried to get statistics over internet about those couples who are Filipino and Japanese, but unfortunately we couldn’t.
It is a riddle to many, not only to Filipinos alone but as well as Japanese people trying to understand each others cultures.
This article might help as an eye opener especially to our young generations to be more culture sensitive.
The following differences listed below are some barriers that we might had an experience in our previous relationships, or may be experiencing at the moment or will be experiencing in the future:
- Filipino women are used to be wooed by men; this may apply during courtship, especially on Marriage. They are used to rule the household, although men are expected to be the provider. Unlike Japan culture, based on anonymous interviews; men tend to be lenient at the beginning but usually change their outlook after marriage resulting to chaos
- There are also Filipinos who seem to be very submissive to their partners, yet they expect something from them in return. While others ask for financial help for their families and relatives, others demand house and lot, cars and other tangible things which some Japanese people find it very inappropriate to their relationship
- Communication is also very vital. This doesn’t only refer to Tagalog and Nihonggo, but also how we relay our messages to them. It is true that “10% of conflict is due to difference of opinion and 90% is due to delivery and tone of voice.”
And the list goes on… Here are few things that we would like to hear from you:
- What are your thoughts about your failed relationships/marriages? What is because of you? Or was it them? Do you think you could have save the relationship if it weren’t too late for you to realize that it might still work “IF” only one of you didn’t give up?
- What advice could you give to our readers to strengthen their present relationships?
- What are the lessons that you have learned from their culture that might contribute to interracial marriages?
