Chinese American Assimilation Struggles
America is often referred to as a melting pot, rich with culture that combines together to make one united country, but Amy Tan and many other Chinese Americans come to realize that the melting process is very difficult. Chinese American’s complete assimilation into the American culture can be near impossible with so many hardships. Their assimilation struggles include embarrassment, staying true to the family, and trying to blend the unique Chinese customs with those of Americans, which can be proved in research of Chinese American’s adaptation and analysis of “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan.
Chinese Immigrants face many struggles assimilating to the American culture. One difficulty the Chinese face when assimilating to American culture is staying true to their family and their values. Family principles can be hard to keep in mind when trying to Americanize. Some families …show more content…
Chinese culture is a high-context culture; high-context culture means the information is not directly passed on and interpretations are necessary, creating strong bonds because there is a mutual understanding of each other. America is a low context culture, meaning everything is stated, and there is nothing left for interpretation. The difference in their culture’s cause dispute in families because children who are Chinese American are growing up in a low-context culture and seem to bond less with their family (“Amy”). Another struggle is feeling embarrassed to be Chinese. Chinese American kids know it is wrong to feel ashamed, yet they do not know how to stop obsessing over becoming an all American kid. As they grow up, they understand the importance of their unique culture and the role it plays in their identity (“Becoming”).
America is often referred to as a melting pot, rich with culture that combines together to make one united country, but Amy Tan and many other Chinese Americans come to realize that the melting process is very difficult. Chinese American’s complete assimilation into the American culture can be near impossible with so many hardships. Their assimilation struggles include embarrassment, staying true to the family, and trying to blend the unique Chinese customs with those of Americans, which can be proved in research of Chinese American’s adaptation and analysis of “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan.
Chinese Immigrants face many struggles assimilating to the American culture. One difficulty the Chinese face when assimilating to American culture is staying true to their family and their values. Family principles can be hard to keep in mind when trying to Americanize. Some families …show more content…
Chinese culture is a high-context culture; high-context culture means the information is not directly passed on and interpretations are necessary, creating strong bonds because there is a mutual understanding of each other. America is a low context culture, meaning everything is stated, and there is nothing left for interpretation. The difference in their culture’s cause dispute in families because children who are Chinese American are growing up in a low-context culture and seem to bond less with their family (“Amy”). Another struggle is feeling embarrassed to be Chinese. Chinese American kids know it is wrong to feel ashamed, yet they do not know how to stop obsessing over becoming an all American kid. As they grow up, they understand the importance of their unique culture and the role it plays in their identity (“Becoming”).