According to Zhai, “Culture is humanity’s way of perceiving the world and conditioning behavioral responses; it is a worldview that creates social differences and guides people’s decision making.” Within the United States population, there is a growing representation of Asian Americans. Asian-American parenting styles and cultural traditions differ from other ethnic groups. Asian-American parents have strong beliefs in continuing the discipline they endured to their children. While Asian-American children want to break out of their parents’ traditional ways and adapt to a new perceived American culture. The influences of Asian- parenting styles and cultural traditions strongly affect modern-day child rearing practices and beliefs. “Many parents’ cultural orientations were strongly associated with parental nurturance and conflicts with their children due to different cultural orientations.” (Zhai, 2017)
Acculturation is defined as the process of adapting or adjusting to the current culture of exposure. Acculturated parents are more likely to hold on to their own personal values and strategies that are recognizable with a more westernized parenting approach. The more comfortable they get, the more likely there is to be a shift in socialization. There is a deep appreciation for cultural values with children as they get older. Cultural socialization is essential to continue the emergence of cultural attitudes and desirable behaviors in children to emulate. Acculturation affects the entire Asian family dynamic. Children are strongly influenced by external factors outside the home like: classmates and a diverse school environment. They strive to be similar and will adapt to be included. However, their parents’ acculturation strategies may influence how their parenting goals and practices. (Huang & Lamb, 2015) They are not always accepting and willing to adopt new ideas of an influencing culture. They tend to remain resist to any type of change. Asian American children will still speak their native language at home to appease their parents. Regardless, of where they live or how long they have been in the United States or away from their home country, they will still eat and associate with those who share similar beliefs and academic goals for their children. Higher education levels of a Chinese father were strongly associated with less Chinese activities and language use. This differed from a Chinse mother who had a higher educational opportunity with higher affliction with English culture, use of the English language and less Chinese activities. (Huang & Lamb, 2015) The more aggressive parent may seek control because of the attitudes of their children who have become accustom to a new way of living.
The acceptance and appreciation of set family values creates an underlying feeling of obligation to the Asian community. Sacrifices are constantly been made for a child’s own personal successes. They strongly affect the family and what their children can accomplish. Asian-American parents try to create a positive environment at home that will urge academic successes. Asian- American parents are involved in all aspects of their child life to see that they succeed at everything they do. They help with homework and structuring and monitoring their time with whomever they choose to associate with. Cultural values are fundamental to child-rearing goals of parents. (Huang & Calzada, 2017) Chinese cultural beliefs insisted that the mother correct their young children’s behavior as soon as it occurs. Chinese parents will scold and criticize all aspects of their child’s life. This is done to correct any wrongdoings especially when it comes to academic success. There is still a strong connection to identifying as Asian in aspects of home life for some children. According to Huang & Calzada’s research, an Asian-American child behavior are context-specific. This means that a child’s behaviors may be different at home then in a school setting. A child may be treated poorly with little to no attention at home and then seek positive adult interactions at school to create an excellent teacher-child relationship.
An authoritarian parenting style may look harsh to outsider, but it is an Asian parents’ way to show concern and care by providing support. (Lui & Rullock, 2013). Authoritarian parenting is a child-rearing practice that emphasize high expectations and a need for control on all aspects of a child’s life. This can include: public shaming, removal of affection and punishment. Chinese childbearing is all about control as a way to care and show the upmost concern. Shaming is used throughout all Chinese socialization as a practice to help children be aware and cautious to observations, feelings and judgments of others. This is taught to them to avoid behaviors that might bring embarrassment to the family (Huang & Lamb, 2013). Asian parenting practices are a replication of different ideologies and meanings that are formed by cultural influences that aim to promote excellence from their children. Chinese mothers want their children to be independent and demand maturity. It is important to care for all family members especially those who took on the responsibility of parenting and sacrifice since childrearing is considered an ongoing commitment. There was a positive correlation between the use of Chinese-specific parenting styles and the relationship with Chinese culture. (Huang and Lamb, 2013) Even when there is emotional distress or financial burdens childcare comes first. The effects of mental health problem associated with this specific parenting styles shows up strongly among the Asian population. (Wei & Chen 2013) Parents and children alike may suffer with depression because the realization that they will never live up to the high standard set for them.
An extreme to the authoritarian parenting style is the creation of the term “tiger mom”. Amy Chua is the author of her self-proclaimed memoir Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. She writes about her parenting efforts and experiences that will set her two daughters up for future success. She faced controversy because she described in detail traditional Chinese values and parenting practices. (Lui & Rollock, 2013) Growing up, her daughters had little to no leisure time. Punishment was placed on them when grades were less than satisfactory. The first part of her book introduces the reader to the idea of what a tiger mom is. In the second part, she describes her own experiences of long hours of practice and accomplishments of her daughters. The third and final part of the text focuses on her own personal struggle with rearing her daughters through their rebellious stages as conflict began between cultural values, ethnic identity and stricter parenting styles. Asian families tend to shape the mold of the predetermined stereotype of being mathematically and musically skilled.
Many Asian cultures are influenced by traditional values and religions. Many Asian cultures believe in Confucianism, Buddhism or Hinduism. There is emphasis on the strong family bond and filial piety. Filial piety is where the parents’ model codependence onto a child and as the child gets older, they return the favor to care for their parents as they did for them when they needed them. encourages that family is the priority, parents have the authority and children must remain obedient. This strongly influences that role of family structure and parent to child relationships. Asian culture strongly aligns with obedience, respect for elders, sensible group dynamics and the importance of education. Confucian ethics praise the use of self-control, patience and withholding emotions. Even if parents experience all type of stress, they must place all their time and energy on their childcare obligations. They must always remain reflective in their own personal social values, beliefs and behaviors in the school setting, home environment, public gathering and other social events. (Huang & Lamb, 2015) Some Chinese parenting is solely based on Confucian ideas. These is an associated training or “chiao shun” that teaches children from an early age to seek guidance and be aware of their behaviors that are constantly monitored. This is done to provide care, concern, support and the need for parental involvement. This training of specific behaviors encourages modest behaviors of staying humble when interacting with others. There is a need to remain pleasant when socializing with others which is a concern in the well-known established Chinese society. Parent-child acculturation conflicts tend to arise that will result to the use of physical discipline. There are underlying feelings towards parents who hold onto strong values and control for too long. Filial piety may be promoted through strict punishment or close emotional connections. It is hard to determine how cultural values will predetermine the use of physical discipline among new immigrant families that are constantly moving.
Adolescence is a confusing time for any child regardless of cultural background. For Asian-American adolescence there are expectations put in place for how to handle their emotions in a given situation regardless if it is positive or negative. Emotional regulation develops and create an understanding for children to experience and express themselves in an appropriate manner. Many Asian-American adolescents experience academic stresses and must use self-regulation to keep their emotions in check. (Deng et al., 2017) There has been an ongoing focus about how western societies have shaped social and cultural experiences through specific emotions and actions. However, the withholding of emotions is not directly related to psychological problems among the Chinese population. The use of expressing anger is strongly avoided because it is seen as harmful to all interactions and relationships. Cultural values seem to be engrained in the minds of Chinese immigrant parents who value the restraint of using emotions to react to a given situation. Adolescents believe that their parents struggle with letting go and allowing them to experience the world for themselves.
In the Asian culture, the display of positive emotions is accompanied with interpersonal peace and harmony with other people than just individual feelings alone. For example, when failure or success occur, those involved must remain calm and display internal peace. This is perceived as a virtue and essential for future accomplishments. Age is an important factor when implementing emotional regulation. Children and adolescents will try to use strategies to remain optimistic and positive when something does not go according to plan. Adults will try to adapt and change their thoughts based the situation they are facing and how their beliefs. Asian American adolescents who are considered first generation are constantly reminded of their parents’ struggles to provide for them despite language and cultural differences. Adolescents are motivated to change the past and pay it forward to their parents by showing excellence in academics. Parents must be direct in their practice for strictly monitoring their child’s behavior and academic excellence. Parents’ who discourage emotional expression tend to internalize problems at school leading to behavioral issues. (Huang & Calzada, 2017)
Asian American women are well represented in the science field, but do not have the same level of science excellence then men. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), Asian American women are less likely to pursue a major in computer science and engineering. They will not enroll in science programs even though the male to female gap is significant smaller than compared to white students. (Hanson & Gilbert, 2012) Asian-American parents are more likely to have had careers as middle-class professionals and scientists. This is more likely to encourage their children to have an interest and high successes in the sciences. Asian women reported that they sometimes felt that their parent’s expectations for them were not reasonable. There is too much pressure to succeed and they are perceived as failures because they are unable to keep up with the high demands and difficulties. The U.S. Bureau of Census reports that Asian Americans have the highest family income of any race/ethnic group. Parents tend to have positive attitudes to their high school aged children about science education. They will help their child learn science through positive reinforcement. This tends to affect girls more to continue to study or pursue something in the science field in the future. Science careers are viewed as a way to improve progress as an individual of a minority group.
Parenting styles and beliefs are tested when a child is diagnosed with a disability. The ideal image of a successful child is diminished. Now, the parents must gather their resources and create a different future for their child. They must care for the child and the child is the sole responsibility of the family In Taiwanese families, there is an overwhelming feeling of taking responsibility for the child who will remain dependent. (Tsai, 2017). When a child is diagnosed with autism the grandmothers show the most supports to the mother rather than the father. Each society has its own means to separate, distinguish and express concern related to a special needs’ child. The acceptance of a diagnosis may be extremely difficult for many Asian American parents because of the strong pulls to traditional cultural values. In a traditional Confucian culture, the highest value is having a male heir and only male children can be identified to inherit the right of ancestry worship. (Tsai, 2017) Embarrassment and hardship is placed on Korean families when the oldest son has a disability. Blame is essentially put on the mother and support from the father is nonexistent. The aceptance of this child can be denied and the family can be looked down upon within the community. Taiwanese families do not believe in institutionalizing their children even if the child is older and stronger than their caretaker. However, when looking at the mental health problems of Taiwanese parents were not associated with less child rearing efforts and school involved. (Wei & Chan, 2013) The majority of parents express concern that their child will be misunderstood by relatives and friends. This inspires them to strengthen their beliefs and handle any stresses and challenges they face successfully. Traditional Asian parents want to satisfy their own individual goals through their children.
There has been a shift in some Asian-American parenting styles that recognizes parental sensitivity and approachability to have a child that is well-balanced. It is important for them to be aware of what is out there besides their home culture. Parents who emigrated to the United States tend to use their own experiences to raise their child but are slowly changing. Parents’ openness to change their parenting beliefs and uses of disciplines may be influenced by their own personal effects of acculturation and their children. (Tajima & Harachi, 2010) They try to find a healthy balance of maintaining aspects of their native culture and learning about their new culture. The longer an Asian American family has been exposed to the English culture, the more likely they are to become involved within the community and want to be a part of the new culture. English proficiency is a key for identification the need for adaption. Parents value independence when their child displays appropriate behavior at home and no reported problems at school.
“Current literature supports the notion that those who are of Asian decent place high value and priority on academic achievement.” (Lui & Rollock, 2013) Growing up in a predominantly Asian community, the focus continues to be on school and getting an education to the highest caliber. There was always competition and a desire to be better than everyone else. Parents’ expectations are high, and the children must reach them in order to be seen as successful. They want their parents to be proud of them and show them that their contributions will be essential to society. As high school seniors, most Asian-American students want to attend ivy league schools for higher education. They refuse to settle for anything less and believe the need to be challenged at what they believe is the higher academic level. From an outsider looking in, most Asian-American students go into fields that their parents want them to pursue. They don’t get a choice and get to experience what they want. This resulted in many young adults moving away from home and starting a new life without their parents. There is a need to further examine specifics of how most Asian-American families hold on to parenting styles and cultural traditions. Since today more than ever it is strongly influenced by modern-day child rearing practices and beliefs.