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WHDL - 00009899

A case study of the self-identity of the people of Looban Outreach Church in view of their relationship with their mother church

Jarrett Davis

Resource Types

Academic (Thesis, Dissertation, Etc.)

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

WHDL

Description / Abstract

The study of identity is foundational in understanding not only who we are, but also what we can become.This research examines the development of self-identity in "Looban", a marginalized, squatter-relocation community, on the outskirts of Metro Manila, Philippines. It focuses on the dynamics of social interaction between "Mother-church", a large, affluent church from the Philippine upper/middle class, and "Looban Outreach Church", a mission outreach of Mother-church comprised largely of the social and economic bottom of Philippine society. Social Identity Theory serves as the theoretical framework for this case study. It understands that people will do whatever it takes to negotiate a "positive and distinct" identity for their own group, even if it means adopting another group's identity. To this end, group identity serves to create and maintain a sense of self-esteem. Youth in Looban indicate a strong desire to share in the identity of mother church, however, their social context seems to keep this desire from fruition. Philippine social structure is organized as an interpersonal hierarchy of relationships that seem to mimic familial relationships. This hierarchy tends to prescribe and maintain the nature of interactions between differing social classes. Those of higher social class or position function in parental roles as caretakers, providers, and educators. As those of lower class or position are provided for, they, in turn, owe their loyalty and respect to those who have provided. As mother church has sent leaders to aide in the development of the outreach, most of these leaders have carried with them the strong social identity of mother church. Thus, under the sakop framework, the roles and expectations of both mother church and Looban have been clearly defined and static, providing little social mobility. As Looban has tried to negotiate a "positive and distinct" identity for themselves, they find themselves at a split. Are they truly a functioning part of mother church's identity? Or are they just a charitable endeavor? This study utilizes interviews and focus-group discussions combined with participant observation to give an ethnographic picture of the identity formation that took place between these two strongly contrasted socioeconomic identities.