Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents: Conflict, Identity, and Values

This book is great help in understanding the difference in cultures of Me, an american, dating a Chinese girl. I understand the Chinese family unit better and will ease problems that arise. Also great explaination of Chinese names and family tree.

~In searching for resources for my Asian American Studies paper at B & N, I found this book. I wish I had found it earlier because it explains many things. May Tung knows Chinese culture and she knows Western-American culture. She knows how they conflict, and can explain it so well to one caught in it all. Many times, it felt like she was describing my life and my parents. It has made me thoughtful about my actions - what is from the Chinese influence? what is from the American influence?~Most of all, because I grew up Americanized, it helped me understand the Chinese aspect of my life. It helped me understand my parents' actions and helped me understand how to deal with them.In addition to this book, I'd like to recommend Maxine Hong Kingston's book, The Woman Warrior. It's another great look into growing up American with Chinese parents.~~

I found this book to be extremely validating of my experience as a Chinese American. The book strikes a nice balance between the traditional cultural influences which affect the social behaviors of Chinese and Chinese Americans, and how such behaviors can come under pressure and become identity issues in an Euro-American dominated society, with its mythologized notions of cultural superiority and racial entitlement. Important reading for any Chinese American who honors self-respect, and refuses to accept her or himself as a second-class American; a compliant and passive "model minority".