Multicultural Paper

Acculturation v. Tradition in Chinese-American Families

Abstract

This paper will face the numerous generations of Chinese-American families in order to distinguish whether traditional values, rather than acculturation of the family to American culture, benefit the individual’s emotional health, self esteem, and overall success. It will study the insight of paternal and maternal parents, along with children in daughter and son point of view. Hopefully, this paper will be able to discuss and determine that the best environment for Chinese-American families is by maintaining an equilibrium between acculturation and traditional Chinese fundamentals.

Introduction

Multicultural psychology is the methodical study of all aspects of human behavior as it takes place in settings where people of different cultural backgrounds encounter each other. These aspects of human behavior consist of age, ethnicity, social class, and culture. Ethnicity is based on the identity or membership within a particular nation or cultural group and execution of that group's customs, beliefs, and language. Race is frequently incorrectly used in the place of ethnicity. Race defines a group of beings that interbreed to develop common physical characteristics, thus only a description based on appearance. Chinese immigration primarily began during the 18th century, but continue as current as the present day. Chinese-American families have thrived, contributing to the melting pot that America has come to be known as.

Most successful immigrations comprise of acculturation. Acculturation is the process of incorporating norms and values of the host civilization into the immigrant’s. First generation Chinese-Americans find acculturation more difficult than later generations, which cause a greater interference between the family and increase the level of stress than would be faced initially. Many Chinese customs adhere to strict yet simple rules of the family. The father being the ultimate say of the family, the mother being lesser than he. The first born taking priority, although a son in presence takes priority over daughters. Another tradition follows the eldest son resuming the family business, in other words continuing the family name and respect. A great double-standard exists for males and females in the Chinese culture. Women are seen unable to fulfill the duties of a man such as, college degrees, high executive careers, or just living without a male presence. Elderly respect is one of the most foremost important values. Self-sacrifice or needs are laid aside for the better of the family. Obeying and paying tribute to ancestors and grandparents yields a fruitful life in the aspect of family. Feminism has no literal translation in Chinese, because of the respect one has for the whole rule of living.

The first generation Chinese-Americans confront a much harder task living in an American culture. A culture of such freedom and liberation to express thoughts and feelings. Women’s rights of being the CEO’s and senators. Another difficult feat would be the racial prejudice and stereotypes that obstruct the American dream of equality. The thought of a person having lesser value because of their skin color or physical appearance is an unknown idea. Placing Chinese-Americans in one of the most neutral stances in aspect of human worthiness. Challenged by these first time experiences, first generations are more prone to depression and stress related disorders. Especially for children in these situations, bombarded by the American life one can be consumed with the materials and cause an internal strife with the Chinese family dynamics. According to J. Szapoeznik “Ethnic minority families face the added complexities of navigating challenges that arise from immigration, acculturation, and/or assimilation processes” (p. 676 Handbook of Multicultural Counseling). After dealing with these issues in the first generation, the incorporation of a liberated society along with the strict morals of family life provide a healthy and successful future.

Discussion

In America, education is intensely emphasized, whereas in China and other countries of the world only those who can afford school attend. Many Chinese-Americans immigrating to America envision their children attending grade school and further on to college, only then to achieve a successful job. With the criteria to follow a strict household Chinese-American success can only be distinguishable within the category of Asian. Although this consists of Japanese, Indian, Korean, and several other nationalities or ethnicities, the percentages tend to fall into the same statistics in aspect of education. Using a family genogram as a tool in counseling, F. Leong portrays the case of a Chinese-Panamanian-American student by listing his family members, their occupations, and their educational histories. Leong finds that the student’s parents were first generation immigrants to Panama and concludes the student as tricultural, speaking three languages distinguishing between identity and language, situation, and religion. The student’s advantage of having Westernized parents and grandparents allows for optimal growth educationally and individually.

In some cases, families not so fortunate in the acculturation factor. J. Szapoeznik describes the most negative intergenerational effect on families when, “ the adolescent who pulls toward the new culture lured by its newness, and the parents who in fear of changes act protectively to pull the adolescent back toward the culture of origin” (p.740 Handbook of Multicultural Counseling). This constant pulling in both directions builds a rift in the family, rather than a bonding family in a foreign place encourages rebellion. Not only do divided families form, but depression and stress related disorders surface in individuals prone to disorders. The disorders can be prevented through strong social interaction, relationships between family members, and intimate relationships. In a society built on individuality like America, P. Hays states, “ in Chinese culture, the individual is supposed to forgo the self in favor of the family or larger society. In some circumstances, this might make it difficult for a person to accept interventions oriented toward increasing personal autonomy and assertiveness” (p. 84 Ethics in Psychology). Conflicting opinions of how one should pursue his or her life is introduced by a seemingly safe environment like school, placed there by parents.

Acculturation can be damaging to the state of mental health more so