Information Practices of Filipino Households

This study examines the household information practices of thirteen Filipino middle-income households residing in the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines, drawing on Dervin’s sense-making framework and Kalms’ Theory for the Emergence of Household Information Practices. Through semi-structured interviews, the research investigates the roles, relationships, and dynamics of how Filipino households navigate the responsibilities and challenges of handling records in the household. Results show that the information practices are shaped by traditional family structures. Parents, especially mothers, act as primary recordkeepers, while older children are expected to fulfill support obligations to their younger siblings and sometimes even to their parents. These practices reflect broader expectations rooted in age, gender, and familial hierarchy. The study of their perspectives also reveals concerns on accessibility and change in practices arising from additions to the household and life transitions such as education, employment, and coming of age. Overall, the findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how Filipino families negotiate the organization, delegation, and transfer of information-related responsibilities in the domestic sphere.