The Chinese community is diverse, both socially and culturally. They are attached to their country of origin and practice religions including Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
They are also law-abiding citizens and pay their taxes. They are family oriented and have families with children. They are also highly educated. They have a variety of careers.
Cultural Values
Many Chinese people live far from their homelands and are attached to their culture. Chinatowns are often the place for them to shop for familiar food, visit traditional temples and catch up on news back home. It is also where they feel at home in a new city. Many types of charities, sports and other associations are aimed at making Chinese feel more at home in their adopted cities.
The Chinese value collectivism and are very family-oriented. They hold values of benevolence, righteousness, modesty, courtesy, wisdom and loyalty.
Benevolence is based on familial ties and blood connections and is a core Confucian belief. Righteousness stresses fairness and truth, while loyalty stresses service to the nation. For example, it is important to care for family elders as one would care for parents or other family members and not to send them to nursing homes (Flower, 2010). This is an essential aspect of family and community life.
Family Values
Family values are a central tenet of Chinese culture. As an ancient saying goes “the family is essential under Heaven.” Chinese traditionally emphasized the value of a loving father and a kind mother, of elder brother treating younger brother well and of a husband showing love to his wife.
Today, Chinese families are still a priority for many Chinese people. However, the modern Chinese family is more couple-centric and has embraced new influences from Western society.
In China, families are seen as possessing a collective identity and reputation (known as face) that influenced how others see all its members. As a result, the interest of the family is expected to supersede the interests of individual members. Children are expected to obey their parents and respect their elders, a tradition called filial piety. They are also expected to care for their elderly parents and it is considered shameful to send them to an aged care facility.
Education
Many Chinese people working in cities are living away from their hometowns. This has led to the development of new types of charities and community groups that aim to help people feel more at home in a different place.
In the United States, people of Chinese origin have higher rates of education and are more likely to be in management positions than the overall foreign-born population. They are also more likely to have lawful permanent residency.
Our approach to the analysis of Chinese citizenship education used a hermeneutic framework, which is an interpretive methodology that involves interpreting the phenomenon in a historical-cultural-social context. The interpretive lens was Confucian social and moral theory, which has shaped Chinese values and ways of life. The analytical framework incorporated both service models and empowerment models with Chinese characteristics, which are more circumscribed in process but collective and community-wide in outcomes. It also included a discussion of the power relationships that underlie these models.
Work
Chinese people have a high level of participation in the labor market in the countries where they live. Their main reason for migrating is economic progress and this is linked to work activities: (I-40, man, 53 years)
Collectivism influences Chinese workplace culture, with a focus on promoting harmony and teamwork. Professionals should show respect for senior colleagues, addressing them with their honorific titles and greeting them warmly. It is also important to be polite and to initiate conversations with small talk before diving into business topics.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential in China. Working long hours can have a negative impact on health, especially in the case of immigrants. It is recommended to prioritize self-care and communicate your needs to achieve a balanced lifestyle. In addition, non-verbal communication is crucial when interacting with Chinese colleagues. Be mindful of body language and facial expressions to convey that you are listening attentively. Avoid overusing gestures or showing emotions as this can be perceived as unprofessional.