| The American demographic is always shifting and currently, Filipino Americans comprise the second largest ethnic subgroup within the Asian American population (Reeves & Bennett, 2004). Conversely, there is little is known about the Filipino-American female population, as there are tendencies to overlook this group. Available research on Asian-American females tends to focus on a more general perception of this population. This group is often recognized as consisting of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese individuals, whereas other Asian ethnic subgroups (i.e. Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai, Hmong, Laotian, and Khmer individuals) tend to be neglected (Ownbey & Horridge, 1998). Current research shows that there is little information available on the specific patterns of emotional expression or the process of choosing careers in Asian females in general. The present study intends to explore the relationship between acculturation, emotional expression, and the career development of Filipino American women. Particularly, this study will look at whether or not an individual's adherence to traditional cultural values, degree of ethnic identification, and level of acculturation are connected to emotional expression, and choice in career. Because acculturation level scores appeared very similar across participants, the researcher decided that generational status presented more variability and should be used in the place of acculturation level. An independent samples t-test, chi-square analysis, and a forward stepwise regression analysis revealed the following: (1) there is no significant difference between first generation and second generation groups in the context of overall and situational emotional expression; (2) there is no significant difference in the frequency that certain career field are chosen for 1st and 2nd generation Filipino women; and (3) conclusions were drawn with respect to these findings, with reference to the limitations of this study and the directions for future research. |
