Often, Chinese work hard to earn money so that they can send it back home. This has contributed to a focus on thrift and careful spending.
The Chicago affiliate of the national Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association served as a quasi government, providing social services and enforcing family codes. It also protected members from violence and property theft.
Culture
Chinese culture celebrates a harmony of colors, aromas and tastes, from the delicate balance of ingredients in our beloved dim sum to the etiquette of using chopsticks. It has influenced everything from agricultural preferences to astrology, guiding food consumption according to the 24 solar terms. It has also influenced politics, with Confucianism focusing on the cultivation of virtues and ethics, and Sun Tzu’s The Art of War guiding military strategy and tactics.
In China, family is of utmost importance. Families are expected to spend time together, with parents teaching and nurturing their children and grandparents. Filial piety is highly valued, and children are expected to repay their parents’ sacrifices in the future.
Many Chinese people are followers of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, or a combination thereof, as well as many folk religions. In addition, there has been a revival of Christianity and Islam in recent years, although religious institutions remain subordinate to the government. In addition, many Chinese believe in a holistic approach to health and healing that includes acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Education
Education is one of the most cherished traditions of Chinese culture. Many Chinese believe that a well educated person can lead the country to prosperity. The Chinese educational system offers children a wide range of opportunities to develop into future professionals. While schools in major metropolises may seem highly advanced, rural schools are often lacking in resources.
In 1957, the government adopted a plan to promote educational development and universalize 9-year compulsory education. The plan categorized China into cities and economically developed areas in coastal provinces and a small number of developed interior towns and villages; towns and villages with medium development; and backward regions.
The curriculum at primary school consists of Chinese, mathematics, physical education and music, combined with morals and ethics classes. Students also take practical work classes around the school campus and learn about various Chinese cultures. At the secondary level, students study Chinese, English, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history and politics.
Employment
During the Gold Rush of the 1850s, Chinese workers flocked to Oregon, working in the gold mines, coastal fisheries and building railroads. Their efforts helped make the West an economic powerhouse, but they often were treated poorly. They were required to work for lower wages than other laborers, and they faced ethnic discrimination. This led to the formation of organizations like the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.
Today, there are plenty of job opportunities for people who know Chinese. Many of our interviewees found jobs through their university career centers, while others joined study abroad programs in China. A few of them even landed jobs in Washington, D.C.
Some of the more common positions for people who speak Chinese include teaching, working in the China office of an international company and doing research on Greater China for the government. One of our interviewees, Kyle, fuses his background in environmental studies and adventure photography with his fluency in Chinese.
Family
In Chinese culture family is seen as the most important factor in an individual’s life. Confucian thought heavily influenced the role of the family and specific responsibilities were assigned to both the father and wife. This is reflected in the gendered language used to refer to various family members and is still seen in China today.
Today most families live in cities and are often comprised of multiple generations. The value of filial piety and loyalty is still highly respected in most families. It is expected that children will make sacrifices for their parents and will repay them in the future.
Despite this, the father still has most of the decision-making power when it comes to his family. He also still holds the responsibility to care for his children and provide for them until they are married. However, with the changing times many young adults are moving away from traditional traditions and forming their own families.