Despite assimilation and migration, the Chinese maintain a sense of community in their homeland. The community also places an emphasis on relationships and honoring family elders. This is why many families have multigenerational households.
In America, the Chinese formed self-sufficient communities that became known as Chinatowns. They created organizations to preserve their culture and traditions, hosting cultural festivals and language schools.
Culture
Chinese culture combines a profound respect for hierarchy, family values and an appreciation for proper social relations. It is reflected in the Chinese proverb “Practise vary within ten li, customs differ within a hundred li.”
Early Chinese immigrants developed strategies to maintain their cultural heritage while adapting to a new society. They formed self-sufficient communities that became known as Chinatowns, and they continued to practice their traditions through community organizations, cultural festivals and language schools.
Many Chinese people believe they are indebted to the earth and to the heavens, and they must honor nature. This is evident in many Chinese practices, such as offering a prayer of thanks at weddings and funerals. In Chinese families, elders are regarded as the center of the household, and children are expected to care for their parents in their old age. Filial piety is a highly valued virtue. Many Chinese people also consider themselves to be a part of the broader world community and will help others whenever they can.
Education
Chinese people are a hardworking community guided by Confucian values, including social harmony, respect for authority and filial piety. They prioritize education and strive to acquire material wealth, secure families and a peaceful nation. As a result, they are a significant market for ESL programs, online learning solutions and test preparation.
Education in China was restructured in 1985 to meet the needs of the economy, with state quotas set for university places and allowing students to be sponsored by their institutions. However, limited funding hampered the development of higher education.
Early Chinese immigrants in America built self-sufficient communities known as “Chinatowns,” which retained cultural traditions through community organizations, festivals and language schools. Today, Chinese Americans live mainly in urban areas and represent one of the largest Asian ethnic groups in America. They contribute to their community by working as shop owners, doctors, professionals and educators. They also support Buddhist centers and stand up against discrimination and prejudice.
Employment
Throughout the world, Chinese people are highly employed in business, banking and finance. They also hold high ranks in public services, the arts and academia.
In the United States, Chinese Americans live primarily in ethnic neighborhoods known as Chinatowns. They often range in income and social status, from impoverished working-class residents to upper-class professionals living in affluent suburbs.
Many Chinese people have set up businesses in a variety of industries, from restaurants and retail stores to construction companies. They have also created community organizations and festivals to maintain their cultural traditions, though they are increasingly influenced by American culture.
In the United States, Chinese Americans are one of the largest Asian ethnic groups. They are concentrated mainly in urban areas such as New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Smaller communities are scattered throughout the country, especially in university-college towns. These communities often have their own Chinese newspapers, sports teams and other associations. Chinese people are also active in politics, with several sitting on local and state boards.
Family
As with many cultures, the Chinese place great emphasis on family. They believe in filial piety and expect their children to take care of them once they retire. It is common for multigenerational families to live together in cities.
The concept of kinship in China is much more complex than in Western culture. For example, Chinese have several words for cousins, depending on whether they are from your mother’s or father’s side of the family and whether they are older or younger than you.
The family unit is still very important in the Chinese community, even as more mothers become full-time workers and families spend less time together. Families are incredibly close-knit and it is not uncommon for grandparents to move in with their grandchildren. This helps ease the financial burden on their children who may be working and/or going to school. They will help with the child care and provide guidance for the grandchildren.