The Invisible and the Visible: Understanding Intercultural Friendships of Chinese Immigrant Youth
Date
2018-01-25
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Abstract
This research, a critical ethnographic case study of a western city in Canada, explored the visible and hidden barriers young Chinese immigrants face when forming and developing friendships with non-immigrant peers. Qualitative data collection methods included 74 interviews with Chinese immigrant youth (16- to 18-year-old newcomers, Generation 1.5, and Generation 2), their parents, and teachers; school and home observations; documents; and autoethnography. By employing the theoretical perspective of postcolonial theories, critical pedagogy, and acculturation to contextualize the historical impact of social inequalities, cultural hegemony, and linguistic dominance, the research revealed the lived experiences of the marginalized in schools and sought both to disrupt hidden forms of racism and to build bridges for sociocultural integration in schools. The research presented here recognizes the dynamic dialectic nature of intercultural friendship-building set within a pluralistic world that is in cultural and social conflict. Barriers to intercultural relationships fall into three main categories: (a) cross-cultural exclusions, including polite exclusion, lack of acceptance, ignorance due to lack of contact, bullying, intangible psychological distance, and local cultural superiority; (b) family cultural influence, including parental ideologies, educational beliefs and values, and survival pressures; and (c) beyond cultural differences, including parents’ inability to be role models, curricular content, teaching strategies, and the hidden curriculum. Given the diversity of Canadian classrooms, a critical understanding of intercultural friendships is crucial to the ongoing achievement of social equity. This research thus takes a positive step towards intercultural communication, understanding, and respect.
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Keywords
Chinese immigrant youth, intercultural friendships, parental socialization, intercultural exclusion
Citation
Feng, X. H. (2018). The Invisible and the Visible: Understanding Intercultural Friendships of Chinese Immigrant Youth (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/5436