Annotated Bibliography

Research Topic: The Asian immigrant through different generation - how to find their own individual identity from their conflicts between the Asian cultures and the U.S. cultures?
Reference for the research paper:
1.
Title: LANGUAGE, PARENTS, INVOLVEMENT, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Source information: Yuxiang Wang, Multicultural Education; Summer2009, Vol. 16 Issue 4, p13-18, 6p, 1 chart, 1 bw
Abstract: The article presents a case study regarding the efforts of Chinese American students, parents and the Chinese community to pursue learning Chinese as a foreign language in the U.S. It states that Chinese parents provide more focus and involvement in their children's education. The article also notes that learning and maintaining Chinese language and culture are basic human rights of Chinese American students and notes the importance of fighting for their social rights.
2.
Title: Family socialization of ethnic identity among Chinese American pre-adolescents
Source information: Simon H Cheng, Wen H Kuo. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. Calgary:Autumn 2000. Vol. 31, Iss. 4, p. 463-484 (22 pp.)
Abstract: Cheng and Kuo investigate the linkage between family structure, language, and ethnic identity to find out the effects of two major socialization mechanisms: family cultural transmission and structural symbolic interaction. The data on Chinese-American children indicates that family language proficiency is retained mainly through parental teaching; thus, first-born children and those with fewer siblings were favored.
3.
Title: Transnationalism and identity: a tale of two faces and multiple lives
Source information: Sutama Ghosh, Lu Wang. Canadian Geographer. Toronto:Autumn 2003. Vol. 47, Iss. 3, p. 269-282 Abstract: Transnational ties add new complexities to the continuous and dynamic processes of identity formation. Based on self-reflexive narratives, this paper examines the authors' identity transformations associated with their respective transnational experiences. We are two Asian women from India and China, respectively, who are international students pursuing doctoral degrees in Canada. Although we share similar demographic and economic backgrounds, we perform distinct transnational acts. Focusing specifically on social and cultural linkages, we have identified reasons that have influenced our cross-border involvements. Based on our findings, we present an emergent conceptual framework that highlights interactive psychological, sociocultural and economic processes that influence the formation of individual transnational identities. We also share with our readers some methodological lessons learnt along our path of self-expression, analysis and representation.
4.
Title: The Changing Meaning of Family Support Among Older Chinese and Korean Immigrants
Source information: Sabrina T Wong, Grace J Yoo, Anita L Stewart. The Journals of Gerontology.: Series B Psychological sciences and social sciences Washington:Jan 2006. Vol. 61B, Iss. 1, p. S4-9 (6 pp.) Abstract:Our objective in this study was to examine how family social-support expectations have changed among older Chinese and Korean U.S. immigrants. Fifty-two Cantonese- and Korean-speaking immigrants older than 60 years participated in eight focus groups. Transcripts were translated into English. Themes were developed based on a coding structure and compared to past research. Participants discussed changed perspectives of family social support and the need to integrate both American and Chinese or Korean culture, thus becoming bicultural. Three distinct perspectives of family emerged: (1) participants felt they had become peripheral family members, (2) parents were no longer authority figures in families, and (3) participants were more independent. Finally, participants described how factors such as a changed economic environment, living alone, and extending their social network beyond family, promoted a move to biculturalism. These results suggest that the integration of two cultures, or biculturalism, is an indicator of successful adaptation to immigration later in life; older Chinese and Korean immigrants are adjusting to living in the United States and blending multiple cultures simultaneously. Thus, acculturation frameworks implying a linear process may not be theoretically valid as ethnic identity, particularly for those who immigrate to different countries, changes over the life course.
5.
Title: PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ASIAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: Diversity Within Diversity
Source information: Marcie Parker. Journal of Comparative Family Studies. Calgary:Winter 2004. Vol. 35, Iss. 1, p. 129-131 (3 pp.) Abstract: Parker reviews PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ASIAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: Diversity Within Diversity edited by Namkee G. Choi. His book is geared toward students, social services/healthcare/mental health practitioners, researchers, public policymakers and academics who want to understand the extreme diversity in history, culture, religion and values of Asian-Americans in the United States. The book provides information on such diverse groups as the Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, Cambodian, Japanese, Filipinos, Koreans, Asian Indians and Native Hawaiians. The book also looks at different stages of development and different generations of immigrants as well as identity development, psychosocial functioning, cultural adjustment, academic achievement, victimization and aging. Many chapters cover the demographics and history, geography, language, values, culture and religion of the respective group. The book also offers an overview of the current state of mental health research and Asian-Americans, using both qualitative as well as quantitative research methods.