Development of Children's Ethnic Identity in Immigrant Chinese Families in Canada: The Role of Parenting Practices and Children's Perceptions of Parental Family Obligation Expectations

• NCJ Number: 228822
• Journal: Journal of Early Adolescence Volume: 29 Issue: 5 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 638-663
• Author(s): Tina F. Su; Catherine L. Costigan
• Date Published: October 2009
• Length: 26 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In a sample of immigrant Chinese families with adolescents living in Canada, this study investigated the relations between parents' family obligation expectations and children's feelings of ethnic identity.

Abstract

Findings of the study indicate that children's ethnic identity is stronger the more mothers endorse family obligation expectations and the more children perceive their parents' family obligation expectations. The results illuminate a narrow facet of the myriad of influences in the development of children's ethnic identity. Although much research has documented the benefits of a strong sense of ethnic identity, less is known about the processes that promote ethnic identity development. The purpose of this study was to examine the role that parents played in the development of ethnic identity among early adolescent children in Chinese immigrant families living in Canada. It specifically examined the relation between parents' family obligation expectations and children's feelings of ethnic identity and whether these relations were influenced by children's perceptions of their parents' family obligation expectations or the nature of parenting practices used in the home. Tables, figures, and references