generations are confused. However, the process of acculturation that they choose can help them to blend in society, reconcile the conflicts, and find the right values
that they can embrace.
4. Review on Chinese Parenting System
This study discusses about the cultural conflicts that are experienced by the second generation. The review on Chinese parenting system is considered as
important to be reviewed in order to get better understanding on this study. Chinese mothers are often being superior in the family because they have
responsible for the success of the children. The Wall Street Journal excerpts an essay from Battle Hymn of the Tiger
Mother by Amy Chua, a professor at Yale Law School. In the essay, it is stated
that “Despite our squeamishness about cultural stereotypes, there are tons of studies out there showing marked and quantifiable differences between Chinese
and Westerners
when it
comes to
parenting”
Chua,
www.wsj.comarticlesSB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754 ,
August 24, 2014. The essay says that the Chinese mothers are far stricter than the strictest Western mothers.
Chua later explains further more about the differences in Chinese parenting and Westerners parenting system. She says that Chinese parents believe
that their kids owe them everything. “The reason for this is a little unclear, but its probably a combination of
Confucian filial piety and the fact that the parents have sacrificed and done so much for their children. And its true that Chinese mothers get in the
trenches, putting in long grueling hours personally tutoring, training,
interrogating and spying on their kids. Anyway, the understanding is that Chinese children must spend their lives repaying their parents by obeying
them and making them proud. By contrast, I dont think most Westerners have the same view of children
being
permanently indebted
to their
parents ”
Chua, www.wsj.comarticlesSB100014240527487041115045760597135286987
54 , August 24, 2014.
The way of teaching the children is different from each individual, yet the system of Chinese parenting is traditionally passed on from generation. The
mothers follow the previous parenting system which is Confucian filial piety, the fundamental bond of parent-child relationship. Parent is the number one in the
family and child is the less superior, thus they should obey parent.
5. Review on Reconciling Cultural Differences
The intergenerational relations in Chinese immigrant families are characterized by conflict, coping, and reconciliation Zhou, 2009: 187. One way
to find the true identity and resolve the conflicts in Chinese immigrant family is by reconcile with the culture and ethnicity. Tung states that Chinese Americans
that she worked with told her that the cultural and historical knowledge helped them in resolving difficulties with their parents and relatives Tung, 2000: 77.
Zhou states her opinion that “both parents and children have to constantly negotiate culture and ethnicity, make compromises, and resolve conflicts in order
to navigate the right way into mainstream American society ” Zhou, 2009: 200.
The negotiation and reconciliation are indeed needed for helping the next generations unify with the society. The cultural conflicts that arise from the lack
of cultural and historical background can be solved when the second generations want to learn and know the history of their ancestors.
D. Theoretical Framework
The writer uses some theories to find the answers of the questions that have been formulated in the chapter I. Those theories and reviews are needed in
this study in order to help the writer analyzes the novel. The first problem will be answered by using the theory of character by M.H. Abrams and Geoffrey Galt
Harpham and Richard Gill. The writer uses the theory of characterization by M.J.
Murphy. Thus, the theory will help the writer to be able for portraying the characteristics of Ruth Young.
To answer the second question in the problem formulation, theory of
conflict by Edward J. Gordon and another theory by Frank Madden will be
applied by the writer. The theory of conflict is applicable to find out the cultural conflicts that are experienced by Ruth Young. The internal and external conflicts
that are experienced by Ruth Young can be analyzed by using the theory of conflicts.
In the order to reveal the reconciliation of Ruth Young, what process of acculturation that she chooses to reconcile and how it helps her reconcile herself
with the cultural conflicts, the writer uses the theory of acculturation strategies. With the theory of acculturation strategies, the writer will be able to give the
a nalysis of Ruth Young’s way to reconcile with the society and how she
negotiates herself with those cultural differences. The review of related background enriches and completes the theories that
are needed in this study. The historical review of the Chinese immigrants in the
