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Description
Studying the ethnic identity perceptions and experiences of Filipinos is important because Filipinos are homogenized as Asians in contemporary U.S. society. This misidentification of Filipinos as Asians is misleading. Asians have been stereotyped as the model minority. The term "model minority" romanticizes Asian Americans as hardworking, successful, and law abiding citizens that overcome hardship, oppression, and racism to achieve success (Alvarez, Juang, & Liang, 2006; Lee & Joo, 2005). Yet, there are significant differences between Asians and Filipinos based on social class, period of immigration into the U.S., immigration patterns, language diversity, religion, and beliefs or values, and sense of colonialism. The purpose of this study was to examine Filipino college students' perspectives on internalized colonial mentality, collective self-esteem, ethnic identity, social class, and academic success. The main research question asked: What social factors (colonial mentality, collective self-esteem, social class, ethnicity, academic success) influence Filipino college-aged students' perception of their identity. To begin to answer the main research question, a sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used, a two-phase design. The first phase consisted of collecting and analyzing quantitative data from 100 Filipino/a college students in San Diego County. The second phase consisted of semi-structured focus group and student interviews with Filipinos. Lastly, a mixed methods phase was used to explore and explain quantitative patterns using the results from the qualitative phase. The salient findings of the study suggest the following: 1. Quantitative findings: Moderate levels of colonial mentality, high levels of ethnic Identity, and collective self-esteem among Filipinos. 2. Qualitative findings: Themes that emerged were colonial mentality, ethnic identity, language, Kapwa, minority, education, and collective self-esteem. 3. Mixed Methods: Qualitative findings supported and explained the patterns during the quantitative phase. This study highlighted the personal narratives and struggles of Filipinos. Furthermore, this study contributed to our understanding of the educational barriers faced by Filipinos and to unmasking the barriers and struggles that go unseen or hidden by the racialization of Filipinos as Asians (Buenavista, 2010). Moreover, this study suggests strategic ways to support and foster success among this forgotten group.
