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Traditional Chinese

Families From China to


Chinese American families
Institution Analysis
By: Stephanie Ho
Sociology 1, Professor Coleman

Traditional Chinese Family from China

Kin selection and culture (i.e., seniority in generation and age) played vastly different roles in
different lineages in the Chinese family: for collateral (indirect) agnates, genetic relatedness was
the most important factor in determining their kinship status, but for lineal (direct) agnates, its
importance was overridden by seniority in generation and age, a cultural factor.

Traditional Chinese families are influenced by the teachings of Confucius. He taught that youre
well-being depends directly on the well-being of others. This principle is called Jen. Jen stresses
the importance of showing courtesy and loyalty to other people.

People who follow Confucianism strongly believe that family values are important. Generations
through generations, children are taught to be respectful to their parents and especially towards
elders.

In China, respect is very important; especially to older family members. Meaning whoever is the
oldest should receive the most respected.

Gender Roles

Traditional Chinese families are very


patriarchal: believes strongly that the male is
the head of the family, where they are the
ones who control, lead, and provides his
family.

It is hard for both mother and father to have


the equal authority, males have big ego
where they must have the main authority in
his family.

Senior generations were superior to junior


generations, older people were superior to
younger ones, and men were superior to
women.

Societys Perspective on Chinese Family Institutions

The Chinese family--its patrilineal structure, its patriarchal power relations, its patrimonial
economy, has been the subject of a large anthropological, sociolgical, and historical literature in
English and other languages. Particular attention has been paid to the variations across time,
space, class, and ethnolinguistic group. Less attention, however, has fallen on the place of the
Chinese family in our understanding of the worldwide and historical variation in family systems
generally.

Many opinions from other cultures do believe that their marriage is not fair for to women

Chinese culture is very into family values and respect is an important behavior

As well as they are known to follow their traditions very well

How members view themselves

Chinese people are very


prideful in their culture and
traditions
Truly believe in putting
family first
Value their traditions and
holidays
They believe in hard work
and achieving high education
for better future
Terrible / corrupt
government

1st Generation Chinese


Americans

Because America is the land of hope


and opportunity, they believe in a
better future
Moved to this country for their
children or future children to grow up
in a great country
Many are lonely, leaving their homes,
friends, relatives behind and starting
a brand new life
Less people in America, meaning
higher chance of finding jobs and
opportunities

Mixing cultures may be difficult for


some, but for survival they need to
learn how to adapt and be influenced
by American culture
When they educate their children,
they have the ability to teach the best
from both cultures
1st generation Chinese Americans
still keep their traditions and practice
them in America, holidays such as:
Full Moon Festival, Chinese New
Year, New Years, Lantern Festival,
etc.

Institution Changed Overtime


Immigrants to 1st generation to 2nd generation to future

They bring with them their language, culture, social institutions, and customs, and over time they made lasting
contribution to their adopted country and tried to become an integral part of the U.S. population.

Changes over time, Chinese Americans become educated in America and learn American culture.

When they are born / grew up in America, America is their motherland and they develop a stronger connection towards
American culture and practice Chinese traditions less.

Even language lost, many American born Chinese (ABC) speaks English and over time Chinese may be forgotten

Many ABC becomes a part of America and adapt very well to American culture and lifestyle

STABLE FEATURES:

Although ABC are not that traditional anymore, a stable feature that stays with them is family values. Still till this day they
are very family oriented and always have gatherings celebrating Chinese Holidays as well as American Holidays

Main Chinese traditions that have stayed are: giving red envelopes for special occasion, celebrating big holidays with
family and relatives, celebrating grieving over the dead, respect towards elders, highly believing in education

What makes these changes?

Submerged cultures, when you adapt to one culture


you lose more of another
Since many parents push their children on
academics they expect their children grow up to be
a doctor, lawyer, business owner, or achieve a high
pay career.
That has changed over the generation due to social
media and technology
More creative careers like professional sports
player, singer, actresses, musicians, artist, are
becoming a better option for them
Technology has been an effect on all families,
changes their communication and how they interact
with one another

Possible ways on improving the institution

Try to speak Chinese at home to keep the language, and pass


it on to the next generation; by understanding ones culture
brings closeness to one another
Practicing the Chinese holidays and traditions
Have family gatherings
Send children to Chinese school to learn how to write / read
Try to eat traditional Chinese food at least once a week

Does this institution work better for only some


members?
Yes for some and no for some. There are families that believe
strongly in their culture and they may be more traditional Chinese
than some families. It may work for some and others may adapt to
American culture completely.

Functionalist Analysis
Chinese Americans families provides several functions towards our society.
Because of them, they have also influenced Chinese culture around the world.
Even in America many Chinese holidays have been practiced. They spread
diversity to society and share their good values for others to learn. Chinese
Americans spread good traits amongst themselves and educate their children
with traditions that make them Chinese and stand out on their own. Many
perform outstanding in school and become a better part of economy and
providing good services to the public.

Conflict Analysis
Chinese Americans may be influenced by American culture too much that later
on their traditions would be washed out and become faint.

Work Cited Page


Chung, Sue Fawn. "Tracing The History Of Chinese American Families." History: Reviews Of New Books 35.1 (2006): 5-10.
America: History and Life with Full Text. Web. 28 June 2015.
Harrell, Stevan. "PATRILINY, PATRIARCHY, PATRIMONY: SURFACE FEATURES AND DEEP STRUCTURES IN THE
CHINESE FAMILY SYSTEM."UW Faculty Web Server. University of Washington, n.d. Web. 23 June 2015.
Hwang, Kwang-Kuo. "Modernization Of The Chinese Family Business." International Journal Of Psychology 25.3-6 (1990): 593618. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 22 June 2015.
Lixing, Sun. "Blood Is Not Always Thicker Than Water: The Limited Effect Of Kin Selection On Human Kinship In The
Traditional Chinese Family." Current Zoology 56.2 (2010): 182-189. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 June 2015.
"The Traditional ChineseFamily & Lineage." Jordan: Traditional Chinese Family and Lineage. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.
Wang, L. Ling-chi. "Countries and Their Cultures." Chinese Americans. JRank, n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.

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