Over 2,500 years ago, Confucius laid the groundwork for a philosophy that would profoundly influence Chinese society for centuries. Known as Confucianism, this philosophy's impact extends globally, including among Chinese Americans, whose journey reflects the interplay between traditional Confucian values and American life. At its core, Confucianism emphasizes principles like Ren (Benevolence), Li (Propriety), and Xiao (Filial piety), which are crucial for social harmony and moral character. It also underscores hierarchical relationships as foundational for societal stability (Smith, 1991; Weiming, 2018). In the early days of Confucianism, “The community that Confucius created was a scholarly fellowship of like-minded men of different ages and different backgrounds from different states. They were attracted to Confucius because they shared his vision and to varying degrees took part in his mission to bring moral order to an increasingly fragmented world. That mission was difficult and even dangerous. Confucius himself suffered from joblessness, homelessness, starvation, and occasionally life-threatening violence. [However,] his faith in the survivability of the culture that he cherished and the workability of the approach to teaching that he propounded was so steadfast that he convinced his followers and himself that heaven was on their side” (Weiming, 2018). Some Americans might view this worldview as misogynistic and sexist, given its emphasis on hierarchical relationships and the traditional gender roles it reinforces. However, it is crucial to recognize that Confucianism, like many ancient philosophical systems, emerged from a historical context vastly different from contemporary gender equality standards. “Modern life has moved so far from the tradition-bound life of tribal societies as to make it difficult for us to realize how completely it is possible for [traditions] to be in control”(Smith, 1991). Many of the earliest Chinese immigrants to the United States arrived in the mid-19th century and often came from rural China, where these teachings were deeply ingrained in the cultural and social fabric. The emphasis on filial piety and hierarchical relationships within the Confucian tradition shaped how these immigrants approached family and community life in the United States. According to Chao's study (2000), “by controlling for mothers' scores on the authoritative and authoritarian scales, the salience of the training parenting style was demonstrated above and beyond the authoritative and authoritarian styles for immigrant Chinese mothers in comparison with European American mothers. Even after controlling for mothers' levels of [authoritarianism], Chinese mothers were still higher on the training parenting style than European American mothers. Thus although there may be some overlap between Baumrind's authoritarian concept and [Chiao Shun], the authoritarian concept does not capture all or even most of the important features of the Chinese parenting style [and it therefore may] be insufficiently characterizing or underestimating the impact of Chinese mothers on their children's achievement.” First-generation immigrants often maintained strong ties to their extended families in China and sought to pass on Confucian values to their children. However, many families, especially the younger generation, faced challenges reconciling traditional values with the realities of American life. The individualistic culture of the United States, emphasizing personal freedom and autonomy, sometimes clashed with the collectivist values promoted by Confucianism. For Chinese Americans, navigating this cultural tension required a delicate balance between honoring their heritage and adapting to their new environment. While some aspects of Confucianism, such as filial piety and respect for elders, remained deeply ingrained in Chinese American communities, others underwent adaptation or reinterpretation in light of their experiences in America. The perceived “foreignness” of Confucian values often led to discrimination and exclusion, as Chinese Americans were seen as unwilling or unable to assimilate into the dominant American culture. “In the American view of Chinese culture and China as a country, there is a pervasive sense of American superiority and Western centrism. Christianity, American interests, and the patriarchy influence how America interprets Confucian thought, Chinese culture, and China itself, shaping their attitude towards China and the Chinese people”(DeepChin, 2024). This discrimination manifested in various forms, from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which severely restricted Chinese immigration, to the widespread anti-Chinese sentiment that led to violence and economic marginalization. “Movies, because of their visual nature, caused an emotional impact on those who watched them. Chinese Americans in the movies were first portrayed in the 1920s as comic relief characters and almost always were played by European Americans wearing Chinese-style clothing and hairstyles. They were stereotyped and portrayed as opium smokers, kidnappers, and murderers, therefore reinforcing fear of Chinese threat to audiences. In 1934, Anna May Wong was the first Asian American star in Hollywood. However, she and other Chinese Americans were cast in supporting roles such as cooks, servants, laundrymen, and gangsters and thus were unable to escape the racial stereotypes embedded in the society for so long” (Airale, 2019). These representations have some truth, though, as Confucianism heavily supports servitude-based roles for women. The Confucian belief in the importance of education to cultivate moral character and achieve social mobility has been a driving force for many Chinese American families, contributing to their high academic achievement and professional success. Additionally, these achievements allow for them to overcome the barriers and discrimination they have faced. However, it has also led to the perpetuation of the "model minority" myth, which can oversimplify the diverse experiences and challenges faced by the Chinese American community. The Model Minority myth portrays Asian Americans as a monolithic group that has achieved universal success through hard work and cultural values while downplaying the systemic barriers and discrimination they face. For example, many Chinese American parents strongly emphasize academic achievement and professional success to honor their families and fulfill their filial duties. This focus on education can create high expectations and pressure for Chinese American children, who may feel a sense of obligation to excel academically, leading to burnout in some cases, especially for those who are neurodivergent or highly sensitive to pressure and criticism, including myself. This pressure can have detrimental effects on mental health and well-being, contributing to anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders among Chinese American youth. Young Chinese Americans have frequently tried to reinterpret and modify these principles to match their realities. New kinds of Chinese American identity have emerged due to this process of adaptation and reinterpretation; these identities combine ancient Confucian principles with American ideals and customs. For instance, as shown in films like "Crazy Rich Asians" and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," some Chinese Americans have attempted to balance and combine the American focus on individual liberty and self-expression with the Confucian emphasis on filial devotion. However, the expanding impact of many cultural and religious traditions and the inflow of immigrants from various areas of China has also resulted in a more diverse Chinese American population. This led to the development of tight-knit Chinese American communities, often centered around family, religious, and cultural institutions that have served as sources of support, identity, and resistance against discrimination. Take, for example, the Ng Shing Gung Altar in San Jose. The altar was a focal point for religious and cultural activities, allowing Chinese Americans to connect with their spiritual beliefs and traditions. Altars like Ng Shing Gung play a vital role in maintaining a sense of community and belonging for Chinese Americans, providing a place to worship, celebrate festivals, and participate in cultural events. These spaces also serve as repositories of cultural knowledge and practices, passing down traditions from generation to generation. Visit the Replica Ng Shing Gung Altar and The Chinese American Historical Museum in San Jose Bibliography and References
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AuthorHi, I'm Zena, I'm a multimedia fangirl and mental health and neurodiversity advocate Archives
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