Husband or Family?

[manilamadman]

A big cultural difference between American and Filipino seems to be parent - child responsibilities. In American culture children are raised to leave home, become independent and there is little expectation they will provide financial support to their parents. In Filipino culture it seems children are taught to value family, may live with or close to family and are expected to help parents and other close family members out financially. These differences may be because the USA has many social "safety nets" like social security but the Philippines really does not.

So if a Filipina marries an American man who is the financial provider, does she expect that her husband will help her Filipino family financially ? This seems an area for potential marital conflict. In speaking to several American men who are married to or involved with Filipinas, they express concern that their Filipina's loyalty is with them not her original family. And if they (American man) says no to financial help to her family she will agree but will begin to resent and so this will cause a problem in harmony.

Would like to hear Filipina comment on this issue? If you have to choose between supporting decision of American husband which conflicts with needs of your Filipino family, who will you support? Will you resent your husband if he does not help your Filipino family ?