Susan S Chuang Susan S. Chuang

Susan S. S Chuang
Chuang
University of Guelph

Importance and d relevance l of f studying d
ethnic minority y families
Then & Now Research
Future ddirections

Past research is based on middle‐class,
EEuro‐American A i families f ili
Transformation of views and assumptions
Demographic and social changes
Unique challenges and issues

Human functioning cannot be
understood outside of sociocultural context
“Normative” Normative functioning may not be
universally optimal
Meanings of constructs?
Independence: self self‐expression expression vs vs. self‐ self
reliance

Social changes influence family functioning
Birth rates: higher among ethnic minority
and immigrant families
Increase in immigrant population
50 years ago ago, European descent
2001 – 2006: Asian Canadians ~ 14%
1/5 Chinese around the world

Direct and indirect influence on children
and family functioning
China
Communist revolution
Maternal employment rate
Marriage law –gender equality
One‐child policy

Negotiate bbetween two cultures l
Discontinuity of cultures ~ changes in
values, l customs?
Racism, discrimination, oppression
Links k to psychological h l lissues –ethnic h
identity, self‐esteem, anxiety
Immigration –amplify lf challenges hll
Language
Economic status
Cultural clashes

Research constructs dominate the field
Influence of cultural orientations
Individualism: independence
Collectivism: interdependence
Framework for numerous aspects of human
functioning ~ self‐concept, child
socialization, parenting

There h is a danger d that h Individualism/
d d l
Collectivism is too readily used as an
explanation l ffor every behavioral bh lvariation
between so‐called individualistic and
collectivistic ll cultures l –an all‐purpose ll contrast.
If Individualism/Collectivism is used to
explain l everything, h it may explain l nothing. h
Kagiticibasi, b 1980, p. 9

CCollectivistic ll ti i ti orientation i t ti
Confucian influence
Common good, social harmony
Fundamental relatedness, interdependence
Clear lines of authority
Filial piety ~ Honor to family name
Parental control, authority
Asians > Euro‐Americans
Euro Americans
Child outcomes: academic achievement

Euro‐Americans vs. X
Deficit model
Positive functioning in ethnic minorities
ONLY to the extent that it approximates
Euro‐Americans

Pre‐defined measures
Fathering roles?
Father behaviours/father involvement
Identity – collapse across roles, identity
satisfaction, investment
Confine the boundaries of construct

Challenging current meanings and
boundaries of construct
Authoritarian
High demandingness, low responsiveness
Negative child outcomes
Chao (1995): Chinese – other aspects of
parenting among Chinese
Guan = training/educating
Shiao chun = warmth, involvement

Comparative studies: 2 ethnic groups
Single group focus

Social construction of knowledge
Influence others’ socialization processes
Immigration ~ language and cultural
brokers

Differing perspectives
Disciplines comes with unique
methodological strategies
Qualitative AND quantitative approaches

Widened scope of target groups
Unique variations among immigrant groups
by SES, motivation for immigrating, family
structure st uctu e

Focus on positive family functioning
Resiliency, coping strategies
How do countries, beyond economically,
benefit from ethnic and immigrant families?
Collaborative efforts with other stakeholders

See you y in Guelph p
THIS November 6 – 7 ☺