Filipina professionals in Singapore : sustaining cultural citizenship while negotiating through stigma using neo-Goffman approach

Abstract

Drawing on in-depth data from interviews conducted with Filipina professionals who originated from Philippines, this study aims to explore the ways they maintain their Filipino identity while assimilating to the culture of Singapore, taking on the title of a cultural citizen. This study also aims to understand their sense of belonging and what factors influenced the Filipina professionals to become a flexible citizen at the same time. By applying neo-Goffman approach coined by Link and Phelan, this study also examines (1) what and how does this stigma got associated with Filipina professionals, and how it lowers their social status, and (2) their strategies to elevate it by creating or using existing out-groups between ethnicities and within the Filipina community.