Stress In Chinese-American Culture

Aside from the physical separation from traditional Chinese culture, there is a mental separation occurring as well. Although some may say that the transition into America for a Chinese-American is simple, it is evident that this period of time is quite stressful. Cliff Akiyama has studied the emotional and psychological effects of acculturating, and says “The psychological distress that is evident in Asian Americans from the study by Wei (2004) may point us to the pressure of cultural clashes and ideological crises that arise in the lives of recent immigrants and for those that are born in the United States. Being raised in one culture that values interdependence and social/group harmony, and then entering into an environment that values independence, competency, being opinionated and outspoken, can cause a severe psychological crisis” (Akiyama 262). …show more content…
Although some may claim that this stress originates from insecurities, Akiyama makes it clear that this stress does not arise from weak attachment but from being raised between two conflicting cultures. A feeling of pain is associated with old values, as Susan Evangelista of Ateneo de Manila University says “Old China and its folkways have been so strongly, and in this instance so painfully, part of her background that the idea of a hopeful new Chinga stirs the mind with nostalgia and regret as well as optimism” (Evangelista 251). Brave Orchid’s attempts to undermine Kingston’s potential and keep her down can be considered painful because they kept her chained down to a certain path in life. Kingston found a way to replace those feelings of regret with optimism. Doing so allowed her to see that her future promised more than just being inferior to men and being denied an