Brown Outside, White Inside: A Study of Identity Development Among Children of Filipino Immigrants in Australia by Arlene Torres-D'Mello

Out of print title.

"...Having ascribed to themselves an Australian identity, the children of Filipino immigrant, nevertheless, find it confusing when they are not recognized and accepted as such by their Australian counterparts because of their Asian features. For many, this external barrier caused by their skin color remains even when the children themselves know that, within themselves, they are already 'white.' In many cases, therefore, their need to have a sense of belonging makes them go back to their Filipino identity, be it only on the rebound. Furthermore, the children's covert or over rejection of their Filipino background is often a manifestation of their objection to the way parental authority is imposed on them. As a result, the situation has created a dilemma for some children who, in rejecting or wanting to reject their Filipino background, are also confronted by the reality that their Asian features do not give them a clear-cut entry to the group--the host country's dominant population group-they wish to be accepted into. "On the whole, this study shows that many Filipino immigrant parents are not well-prepared or equipped to meet the needs their children have in growing up in another culture. It appears that even in this aspect the bahala na(come what may) approach has often prevailed. Yet, there is much to be gained in preparing oneself for the sea change that migration brings...There are some revealing aspects of life in another country that are easily over looked when pursuing the dream of a 'better' future." (p.16)

Paperback: 214 pages
Publisher: Giraffe Books (2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 971883292-0
ISBN-13: 978-97-1-883292-9