The thriving Portland Chinese community is rich in culture, restaurants, businesses and family-centered traditions. Like other immigrant communities, Chinese American express their heritage and ethnic identity with food, flags, parades and festivals, schools, and newspapers that carry local, national and homeland news.
After World War II, the repeal of the exclusion laws allowed many Chinese to bring their families to America. This changed the traditional Chinese bachelor society to one of couples.
Family
In Chinese culture, family is important. The concept of filial piety is an integral part of the family structure, and the family is seen as a place of unity and loyalty. The family is also an important source of social support. In urban areas, many families live together. It is common for men to work outside the home, and women to work within the home. This can result in poorer quality of family time.
Due to the economic pressures that have been placed on families by the one-child policy, more Chinese couples are marrying for love and not just for the continuation of their lineage. They are also less likely to have children, and those who do may be selective about how many they have. In addition, the embracing of gender equality has led to more women in leadership roles and a higher level of independence for many women.
Education
Education is a very important aspect of the Chinese community. The educational system plays an important role in inculcating values in children and teaching them necessary skills. It is also a major vehicle for the dissemination of knowledge in society and culture.
In the United States, there is a significant population of Chinese people living in many cities. They are mostly concentrated in ethnic neighborhoods called Chinatowns. Some are professionals, college professors and business people. Others work in restaurants, grocery stores and other food-related businesses.
Some Chinese people are able to pay for a Western education, and some of them go to the United States and other countries to pursue their studies. This is a growing trend as more Chinese people are becoming rich. Many of these students are from less-developed inland areas and are unable to afford a university education at home. Some are also motivated by a desire to establish connections amid growing business ties with the West.
Teenagers
The teenage years are important to the Chinese community. They place a high value on education and being a good person. They also focus on social awareness and making new friends. Many of the young Chinese people in Australia are living away from their families and this can lead to problems like drugs, alcohol, teen pregnancy and bullying. This can cause a lot of stress and has led to new types of charities and sports groups being formed.
A research team in Italy conducted interviews with 22 low-income first and second-generation Chinese teenagers. The presence of a trusted insider as interviewer helped overcome the language barrier that often impedes research with migrants. Interview analysis yielded three thematic clusters: “value differences”, illustrating the contrast between perceived Chinese ethics of sacrifice and Italian propensity for leisure; “peer relationships and school life”; and “stereotypes and prejudices” in which a kaleidoscopic vision of otherness emerges.
Children
Children are an important part of Chinese culture. This culture places a high value on education. It is not uncommon for parents to send their children to boarding schools in order to give them the best possible education.
Chinese parents are also known for their involvement in their children’s extracurricular activities. They are proud of their children’s accomplishments and encourage them to strive for excellence.
The Chinese community has a rich history in the United States. Many came to the Copper Country in 1882 with a work permit under the Exclusion Act and avoided direct labor market competition with whites by opening laundries, gift shops and groceries (Chin 8).
Sadly, many were lynched by angry mobs due to the unfair wages they demanded or their perceived role as sex slaves. Today, the Chinese community remains active in the community by participating in cultural events at the Schenectady Museum Festival, First Night in Albany, and by volunteering their time at regional food banks, Literacy Volunteers of America and WMHT TV auctions.