Lund, Darren E.Feng, Xiaohong2018-01-262018-01-262018-01-25http://hdl.handle.net/1880/106355This 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.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Chinese immigrant youthintercultural friendshipsparental socializationintercultural exclusionEducation--Curriculum and InstructionEthnic and Racial Studiesdoctoral thesis10.11575/PRISM/5436