Through the course of this class thus far, I have acquired a better understanding and appreciation for the differences that make up the vastness of diversity present in society and in the world. Many of the readings have helped me realize the existence of the many problems currently present in society today. One such reading from Olson’s Chapter 2 on “The Chinese Elderly: Values and Issues in Receiving Adequate Care” by Morrison G. Wong. Here, Wong outlines that the Chinese culture has strong familial values with origins from Confucianism. This means that hierarchy is very prevalent in the Chinese household. Thus positive consequence of strong familial relationship is the dedication and tradition of taking care of elders in the household. The elders are often the most respected and have the most decision power in a family household. (Olson, 2001).
What really prompted me to write this blog entry on Asian Americans is the changing scenario of the Asian American community due to renewed generational differences. Wong states that the new generation “the American-born Chinese have become more acculturated to the beliefs, traditions, and customs of U.S. society.” (Olson, 2001, p. 26). This new generation of American born Chinese has both cultural and generational differences that greatly conflict with the traditional, familial Chinese structured society. Instead, the new generation is more individualistic, ambitious, and independent as opposed to traditional collectivist, familial, and interdependent character tics. Many of the older generations are not happy with this recent change. For example, Wong states, “it is becoming more common to hear foreign-born Chinese parents to express disappointment and complain that “my son is just like an American.””(Olson, 2001, p. 26).
These American and Chinese cultural differences widen the gap between the different generations within an Asian American community. They have conflicts in society. One of the most emphasized pertains to elders. Traditionally, elders in the Chinese society are always treated with the most respect. Because familial piety plays such a major role in the culture, families often take care of the elderly. It’s not uncommon to see a multigenerational household. The conflict arises from the new generations and their new sets of American characteristics and differences. It is becoming more common for the Chinese elders to be left at nursing homes, which lead to many negative consequences of language barriers, cultural differences, and different medicinal preferences. Many Asian elders feel neglected and unhappy when they are put into these homes. (Filgini et al, 1999) For the new generation, it seems normal, but to the older generations, it’s taken more personally, where they feel they are personally being disposed.
Despite these differences and negative consequences I have outlined, my research has also indicated that there are still many positive outcomes. Even though the new generations are adapting to new American values, they are still keeping to many traditional, core values. For instance, family is still a top priority. Family gatherings and socials are still a strong part of their lives. Many decisions the new generation makes are always contingent on the best outcome for the overall family. (“Asian-American families")
1. Wong, M. G. 2001).The Chinese Elderly: Values and Issues in Receiving Adequate Care. In Olson, L. K. (Ed.),Age through ethnic lenses: Caring for the elderly in a multicultural society. Lanham, MD: owman & Littlefield Publishers
2. Fuligni, A. J., Tseng, V. and Lam, M. (1999), Attitudes toward Family Obligations among American Adolescents with Asian, Latin American, and European Backgrounds. Child Development, 70: 1030–1044. doi: 10.1111/1467-8624.00075
3. Asian-american families - regional and generational differences. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://family.jrank.org/pages/105/Asian-American-Families-Regional-Generational-Differences.html
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