Dr. P.C. Kutschera, Ph.D
Prof. Jose Maria G. Pelayo III, MASD
Philippine Amerasian Research Center
Systems Plus College Foundation
Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines
(NOTE: Research paper and power point presented at the 2013 On Line
Conference on Multidisciplinary Social Sciences 29-31 March 2013
sponsored by the Australian International Cultural and Education Institute
(AICEI), Sydney, AU)

Multiple anecdotal accounts and a thin body of empirical research on an estimated
250,000 biracial military Amerasians in the Philippines, indicates significant past
and present stigmatization and discrimination, particularly Amerasians of African
descent. However, a segment of Filipino Amerasians, females with pronounced
Caucasian features, comprise a “paradoxical exception.”

The abandoned progeny of U.S. servicemen and corporate military contractor and
government male workers who long occupied permanent bases (and whose
mothers were Filipina nationals), African Amerasians and to a lessor extent Anglo
Amerasians are targets of intense name-calling and verbal harassment. This
commences at an early age, and often transforms into a lifetime of socioeconomic
marginalization, psychosocial risk and stress, and susceptibility to
psychopathology and mental disorder.

Kutschera (2010), using the Australian developed DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety,
Stress Scales), in a 3-year case study of Amerasians from the former Clark air
base in Angeles, found that 62% of respondents showed severe levels of anxiety,
depression or stress. A similar percentage presented the same high rate for
psychosomatic illness or complaints.


Within the military Filipino Amerasian diaspora there exists a body of adolescent
and young adult women (ages 16-39) possessing characteristics of naturally light
skin and pronounced and attractive Caucasian features. This is often described in
common Filipino parlance as the “Mestiza” or “Tisay” look. These mixed-race
women appear to have broken away from traditional, stigmatizing patterns directed
against both African and Anglo Amerasians by mainstream Filipinos.

Skin whiteness, prized and aggressively promoted in mass Filipino media and
evidenced by the incredible popularity of skin whitening lotions sought by Filipina
nationals, is a social phenomena, that has accrued to the socioeconomic
betterment and popular acceptance of young Anglo Amerasian women. Hence the
emergence of the female “Anglo Amerasian Paradox,” or the ready acceptance of
an expanding segment of Amerasians who have gained easy reception and
acceptance and achieved greater material promise or gain as they enter adulthood
– in stark contrast to the mass of the remaining Amerasian diaspora that continues
as an economically disadvantaged, stunted and socially marginalized cohort.

A comprehensive, albeit abbreviated literature review focused on four
primary background areas related to the military Filipino Amerasian
diaspora: (a) paucity of extant empirical and evidence-based research
available on the specific topics of stigmatized, impoverished and at
risk military Amerasians; there are more substantial and developed
literatures available for certain Pan Amerasian counterparts such as
Koreans and Vietnamese, (b) some focus and analysis on two of the
mere handful of contemporary socioeconomic, psychosocial and
mental health studies relating to Amerasians in the Philippines {i.e.,
Connaco-Gastardo & Sobritchea (1999) and Kutschera (2010)}, (c) a
basic definition and brief examination of the use of the term “paradox”
in contemporary social sciences research (Gibbs, 1997) and (Renn,
2000) , and (d) a brief examination of Filipino (i.e., Lago, (2012;
Lipena, 2010) and mainland East Asian literature (Li, et al., 2008) as
it relates to the phenomena of the desirability of pale complexion,
white skin and the popularity of commercial sale of skin whitening
lotions and creams throughout the Philippines and the Asia Pacific;
some authors contend this dates to the 19th Century era of Western
colonization of Asia Pacific locales.

This is a qualitative research, multiple-case,“pilot” study focusing on five first generation female
Anglo Amerasians, ages 21-29 (median age 22), primarily queried on whether they believed
their origins as White skin toned, biracial physical features and personal demeanors have either
helped or hindered their social acceptance and reception in modern Philippine society.

The sample was drawn from an upwardly mobile cohort made up of students and graduates of
Systems Plus College Foundation, a rapidly expanding, private, not-profit four year bachelors
and graduate degree granting institution in West Central Luzon with colleges ,schools and
departments ranging from computer technology and engineering to social work and criminology.

Sample participants were purposively selected. They were originally screened to answer
whether they specifically felt their Amerasian origins overall aided and in fact enhanced their
human and social progress – one of the prime tenets of the study hypothesis and a primary
characteristic of the purposive sampling technique. (Engel & Schutt, 2009)

A biographical data questionnaire and semi-structured, open-ended interview guide were the
information gathering instruments. Respondents were asked questions ranging from their
experience with name-calling, verbal harassment and stigmatization as young people to
personal assessments of their socioeconomic and cultural status in modern Filipino society.

Generally, interviews with the five participants (two undergraduate students in
education and tourism respectfully, an airline flight attendant, a p/t tutor and
secretary and a psychology counselor) found familiar or related conditions,
themes, situations and life circumstances. Similar to many African and Anglo
respondents interviewed in the Conaco-Gastardo & Sobritchea (1999) and
Kutschera (2010) studies, participants self-reported they were sometimes, if not
often sexually harassed, not necessary because of being female or in a gender
situational sense. More often they were judged or viewed as voluptuous, sex
objects, or subjects of conspicuous attention, particularly by males unknown to
them, acquaintances, friends, even close family members.

Secondarily, and somewhat surprisingly, they were objectified by women friends or
acquaintances who may have envied them for their Caucasian like or mestiza looks
and the attention these features generated from males or women alike. This began
to become more pronounced in the years of puberty and as females commenced
the dramatic physical ,mental and emotional metamorphosis from late childhood to
early adolescence.


All subjects reported being objectified and often identifying such objectification
reserved for Amerasian counterparts. Simultaneously, many confirmed observation
of claims of testimonials to stigmatization or discrimination against both African and
Anglo Amerasians or themselves, while growing up. In some cases interviewees
confirmed claims of respondents in the Kutschera (2010) Filipino Amerasian
stigmatization study which found that sometimes harassment episodes became so
severe they led to physical confrontation and violence
.

Additionally, participants maintained that they were sometimes held up for ridicule
in school days for being Amerasian, as much because of their physical looks as for
the oft spoken stereotype and general belief among mainlander Filipinos, that
most mothers of Amerasians were prostituted women or sex industry laborers..

Most dramatically, most all participants reported that general harassment , namecalling, stigmatization and discrimination rather dramatically began to recede as
females entered adolescent years, when they began to mature after first blush of
puberty and the social concern over their possible origin as offspring of sex
industry worker mothers settled into the past or was never again mentioned..

Sample participants reported distinct advantages with Caucasian physical
features (pale skin, lighter than black hair color, pleasing facial features &
expressions) evoking praise from Filipino mainlanders & foreign males.

Dramatic fall off in name-calling, sexual harassment and episodes of stigma &
discrimination as they grew into adolescence & adulthood.

Modeling offers, in a beauty contestant crazed culture, are frequent. Some
participants have already modeled commercially and have their own modeling
portfolios or agents.

Vigorous and rewarding social lives. Most respondents report it easy to enter
into social relationships, date, and enjoy a social whirl consisting of event
invitations, night club hoping, party going and hitting the bar scene.

Most feel their mixed-heritage, biracial Amerasian mestiza looks have opened
doors not only in their college careers, but portend positive opportunities for
career and personal financial advancement in the years ahead..


Findings generally uphold the core assertion of the female “Anglo Amerasian
Paradox” from the standpoint that - within the age sample selected (ages 19-29) –
early adulthood Amerasians with Caucasian and popular mestiza look physical
features and demeanor, are held up for admiration, respect and a fair likelihood of
either having benefited, or having the potential to benefit socioeconomically, from
such approbation. They appear to be treated with pronounced disparity and
advantage than the highly stigmatized, impoverished and at risk circumstances
common to many of their Amerasian counterparts, both African and Anglo.
Whether this age cohort compromises merely a “niche group” benefitting
temporarily given their youthful and most desired mestiza look has not been
answered in this study. What is needed is a study capable of answering longevity
or longitudinally-based questions. For example, does the perceived Anglo
Amerasian Paradox hold up under the test of time? Will the reaction and advantage
for female Anglos be the same at age 50 it is at age 25? Or, will the observation of
the late World War II hero and French President Charles DeGaulle hold to be true.
DeGaulle is reported to have made the following remark when asked his advice on
the longevity of political treaties. “Treaties,…are like girls and roses, they last while
they last.” (Good Reads, 2013).cl

Indeed, a more extensive research study controlling for numerous variables including
precise information on per capita and family incomes, education levels, more than one
geographical source for sample participants and a build in longevity control feature could
conceivably result in a sudden and unexpected result similar to what occurred to Anglo
Amerasians in this study. – an abrupt turnaround in fortunes as occurred when Anglo
Amerasians entered young adulthood and their fortunes exponentially improved.

Indeed, another question left unanswered by the study is a more precise and detailed
explanation as to why fortunes and perceptions of female Anglos changed so
precipitously as they entered early adulthood?. Obviously, one reason may be that
stereotypical concern over whether all mothers of Amerasian were sex industry laborers
appeared to lose its credibility with this age cohort.

The study strongly suggests that there may be optimism for the easier integration of
second generation female Anglo Amerasians into the mainstream and essentially
pluralistic Filipino society as a whole. This indication may mode well, at least, for a
segment of the larger military Amerasian diaspora in the archipelago faced with greater
challenges of social assimilation and acceptance.


A substantially expanded and larger study sample to investigate evidence of
existence of the female Amerasian Paradox is needed with some of the
following features: (a) a larger sample in the range of 200 to 300 participants
drawn from various locations inside and around the AMO (Angeles, Manila,
Olongapo) Amerasian Triangle, (b) a larger probability study sample
employing
mixed-methodology features including a detailed survey
questionnaire with narrative analysis (qualitative) and statistical analysis
(quantitative) features, (c) a similar study comprised of a male Anglo
Amerasian component, given that there may be a likelihood of related or
replicated life situations accruing to male Anglo Amerasians in the Philippines,
and (d) performing a similar study among second generation Anglo
Amerasians in the Philippines of which there are scores of thousands that
have been reputed to be recipients of stigma endured by their forbearers.

Expansion of the study scope to investigate the paradox phenomena in other
Pan Amerasian diasporas and enclaves in the Western Pacific Basin, most
notably South Korea, Japan and Okinawa . There are significant numbers of
Amerasians alive with U.S. troops, and military contractor and government
employees stationed at these locales today.



Engel, R.J. & Schutt, R. K. (2009). The practice of research in social work (2 nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage

Gastardo-Connaco, C. & Sobritchea , C.I. (1999). Filipino Amerasians: Living in the margins. Diliman,Quezon
City, RP: University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies Foundation & Pearl S. Buck International.

Gibbs, J.T. (1997). African-American suicide: A cultural paradox. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior 27(1).
68-79.

Good Reads (2013). General Charles de Gaulle quotes. Retrieved from
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/490153.Charles_de_Gaulle

Kutschera, P.C. Stigmatization, psychosocial and core mental health symptomatology among Amerasians in the
Philippines: A multiple-case study. (Doctoral dissertation: Walden University, USA). 2010. Retrieved from
www.AmerasianResearch.org/dissertation

Lago, A. (2012, July). The semantics of mestiza. GMA (Manila) News TV Online Website. Retrieved from
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/267061/lifestyle/culture/the-semantics-of-mestizo

Lapena, C.A. (2010, January). Dissecting the pinoy white skin obsession. GMA (Manila) News TV Online
Website. Retrieved from http://gmanetwork.com/news/story/182773/lifestyle/dissecting-the-pinoy-white-skinobsession

Li, E.P.H., Min, H.J., Belk, R.W., Kimura, J. & Bahl, S. (2008). Skin lightening and beauty in four Asian cultures.
Advances in Consumer Education, 35. 444-449.
. Renn, K. A. (2000, April). Tilting at windmills: The paradox of researching mixed-race. Paper presented at
the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association, New Orleans, LA USA.
Dr. PC Kutschera, Ph.D
Prof. Jose Maria G. Pelayo III, MASD
Philippine Amerasian Research Center
Systems Plus College Foundation
Angeles City, Philippines