“self” and adjustment in an individualistic culture, the self-criticism from the second generation of Chinese Americans and their wishes to be more assertive
and confrontational in their dealings with their parents Tung, 2000:15. The explanation continu
es with Tung’s research, “being confrontational, assertive, rebellious, and stressing the negative are all ways a person can differentiate
oneself from others en route to individualism” Tung, 2000: 15. Nazli Kibria in Becoming Asian American describes about the view in
second generation that being Americanized. She states that In this drama of cultural change, it is members of the second generation
who are in the internal and familial conflicts that the process generates. As the children of immigrants, they are enmeshed in the immigrant
community but are also, by virtue of having grown up in the United States, more attuned to American culture than their parents may be. Second
generation represents a high point of tension in the march of Americanization Kibria, 2002: 27.
Indeed, the second generation is more flexible in accepting the different culture in society. They get two virtues, from their heritage culture and also learn the virtue
of their host culture. The second generations feel like they know both of that culture.
3. Review on Values
Culture is always related with the value, thus, each culture has its own value. According to John J. Macionis in Sociology
, values are “culturally defined standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful and that
serve as broad guidelines for social living” Macionis, 2012: 61. Macionis’ definition of values implies that values are used as the standard in the life.
Either Chinese or American has its own values and the values are containing a contrast differences. Li Qing in
NAFSA’s website entitled “Pre- departure Orientation for Chinese Students” gives general differences between
Chinese and American culture. The general differences are given at the conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators entitled Face,
Guanxi, Houmenr Elastic Rules: Insight into the Chinese Culture.”
Li Qing states that the Chinese people have a value of collectivist, formal; hierarchical, relationship-oriented, concern maintaining harmony, and interested
in the past. On the other hand, the American values are the opposite of the Chinese values. Qing states that American people are individualist, informal;
egalitarian, task-oriented, willing to confront directly, and less interested in the past
http:china-nafsa.aief-usa.orgculturedifferences.htm
,
August 24, 2014. Thus, each culture holds different value. As Chinese who hold still their
collectivist and relationship-oriented are different with American who is individualist, which means that they seek for freedom and task-oriented to gain
the success. Besides, Donald Light, Jr. and Suzanne Keller in Sociology also tells the
basic American values. According to them, the basic of American values are the triad American: freedom, equality, and democracy Light and Keller, 1975: 80.
With that triad, Americans believe in freedom in action and speak. They have the right to do things. The values of equality and democracy are the basic for
Americans to have the equality in education, social life and democracy in their country. Since two values are totally different, there is no doubt that the second
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,
