The Diversity of Socio-Cultural Adaptation of Overseas Chinese: Depiction of Asian Immigrant Families in Fresh off The Boat

Abstract

        The objectives of this research were: 1) to examine the process of cross-cultural adaptation and identity formation among Chinese American immigrants, 2) to investigate the education practices of Chinese immigrant families, and 3) to explore contemporary stereotypes about Chinese people.
          The sample comprised 1) It involved interviews with 10 Chinese American immigrants. 2) It conducted surveys with 100 Chinese parents and students from American international schools. 3) It comprised comments collected from various respondents via social media.They were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The research instruments for data collection included in-dept interview, survey by questionnaires, and social media inquiries. The statistics for data analysis involved coding and content analysis using NVivo for the qualitative data and standard quantitative analysis techniques for survey data.
          The results were found that:1) In the complex process of cross-cultural adaptation and identity formation of Chinese Americans, the complete form of assimilation and segregation does not exist, and integration and marginalization are the same form under different psychological states. When the first generation of immigrant parents have emotional and psychological reactions caused by cultural loss due to interruption in cultural heritage transmission, which ultimately leads to cultural protection and revival. 2)While coping with the cultural differences between Eastern and Western education, Chinese immigrant parents emphasize cultural traditions and integrating Chinese and Western educational styles to cultivate the overall development of children.3) It reveals the common stereotypes of Chinese people in today's society.
          Suggestions include enhancing support for Chinese American immigrants to better navigate their cultural adaptation processes and addressing and correcting stereotypes through education and awareness campaigns.