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Chinese American Ethnic and Cultural Identity

Chinese American Ethnic and Cultural Identity. Intercultural Communication Lisa Lin ( 林秀慧 ). Issue Topic: Ethnic Identity. Definition:

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Chinese American Ethnic and Cultural Identity

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  1. Chinese American Ethnic and Cultural Identity Intercultural Communication Lisa Lin (林秀慧)

  2. Issue Topic: Ethnic Identity • Definition: • A multidimensional construct that includes issues of group membership, self-image, ethnic affiliation, and ingroup and intergroup attitudes (Ting-Toomey, Yee-Jung, Shapiro, Garcia, Wright & Oetzel, 2000, p.49).

  3. A brief summary of Chinese American history • Chinese in the U.S. The earliest Chinese recorded in America landed on the West Coast, such as California, in the first half of the nineteenth century. Initially, the majority immigrating into America worked as miners or as workers to build the railroad. Later, In 1882, the Exclusion Act was signed into law. -- the end to free immigration of Chinese labors

  4. A brief summary of Chinese American history (ii) Becoming Chinese American Chinese abroad had made significant financial contribution to this effort. However, Chinese’ loyalties were doubtful. • a welcome source of cheap labor • unwanted competition, or aliens (foreigners)-- be useful but not be welcome Therefore, Two dominant groups, Chinese and Americans, have defined Chinese Americans as members of a minority group

  5. An introduction to ethnic identity theory • Erikson’s ego identity formation theory (1968), social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), and the acculturation framework (Berry, Trimble, & Olmedo, 1986) • Marcia (1980) suggested that ethnic identity development passes through 4 stages • More recent research: Yang and Hwang (2000) proposed a reconceptualization of ethnic identity --the interdependent self, which is “defined by and understood in terms of the relational and social environment

  6. An introduction to ethnic identity theory (iv) The acculturation literature: • Is it valuable to maintain relationship with other groups? (2) Is it valuable to maintain one’s own cultural identity and characteristics?

  7. An introduction to ethnic identity theory (v) A study with both first-and second-generation Chinese Americans (Tsai, Ying, &Lee, 2000) (vi) Huang (1994), Gans’ suggestion, the Hansen hypothesis. (vii) Finally, some researchers have suggested that descendants of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, or other Asian groups will give up their particular ethnic identity to consider themselves Asian American (Kibria, 2002; Tuan, 1998).

  8. Searching for a Chinese American identity: An interview study Research Goal: How would Chinese Americans define themselves? • Research Questions: • What does it mean to Chinese Americans to be Chinese American? • What (if anything) holds Chinese Americans together as a group?

  9. Methodology (1)Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with U.S. citizens whose parents or grandparents had immigrated from China, Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan. (2) Interview responses used open-ended questions to give interviewees the freedom to develop their own ideas. (3) Q1: What makes you a Chinese American? Q2: How would you describe somebody who is Chinese American?

  10. The results of this study • Defining Chinese Americans: • a combination of being Chinese and being born and/or raised in the U.S. (b) experiences connected to growing up in a Chinese family Five topics related to family life: (c) experiences connected to growing up in the U.S.

  11. The results of this study (d) the connection to other Chinese Americans: Being Part of the Community Making friends with similar background (E) Chinese Americans: A Distinctive Group? Q: What holds Chinese Americans together as a group?

  12. Ans (from the narratives of the interviewees): • finding their own place in relation to two cultures. • a very active role in shaping their own ethnic identity. • their relationship to their parents’ views on Chinese politics. • changing definitions and meanings of Chinese traditions and values (including family values: Chinese – extended family v.s. Americans – nuclear family). • for giving care to elderly parents (filial piety)

  13. Ethnic Identity: Quo Vadis? • The stages in Marcia’s (1980) model: • Gans’ (1979) framework: • Tajfel & Turner (1979) theory: • Berry, Trimble, & Olmedo (1986): In the U.S., Chinese Americans are often told to rather identify as Chinese. However, interviewees of this study also experienced being told by Chinese to rather consider themselves American.

  14. "quadra-polar" usually alludes to a flat on which there are four parts or polars like the picture shown below: 

  15. Extended Thinking: The film titled “Joy Luck Club” will be considered as the content of my final paper and the issue related to the first and second Chinese generations in America has been revealed and will be worth discussing for me. Traditional Chinese value V.S. American Culture: Conflicting – Adapting -- Adjusting

  16. The End Q & A~ Thanks for your attention~! 

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