The extensive literature in the active field of community power studies suffers from a lack of comparative work in areas other than middle-sized North American cities, while the literature on overseas Chinese communities lacks sophisticated methods of study and precise results. This thesis is an attempt to augment the literature in both areas by applying community power study techniques to the overseas Chinese community in Vancouver. An interview schedule was constructed and interviews were conducted with thirty-five leading Chinese who held at least one office in a Chinese association. Information obtained included the personal background of leaders, their opinions on leaders and associations, and their reports on various recent issues in the Chinese community. Responses concerning the influence of leaders, the influence of associations, and the basis of leadership were taken as components of ideology. Unfortunately, these components showed little relationship to each other or to the two variables with which they were expected to be associated: the generation and number of offices of the evaluator. Nominations of generally influential leaders were related to nominations of leaders in the particular areas of welfare, representation of the community, the Chinese language schools, and business. Frequently nominated general influentials were also often named as particularly well-informed about community affairs. There was also a relationship between general nominations and offices held, although the correlation was less than had been expected. The general nominations were slightly biased because second generation leaders were over-represented in the sample, made more general nominations than first generation subjects, and more often nominated leaders of their own generation. Fifty-five men were named as general influentials; twenty-five of these were nominated by at least two men of one generation. Ten were classed as first generation leaders and fifteen as second generation leaders. The two top groups of influentials were distinct in age, occupation, number of offices, and prominence in school activities. Both groups were distinguished from the thirty lesser leaders in the frequency of their nominations in the particular areas of influence, except for business influence. The first generation leaders were also distinguished by a greater number of offices. General nominations of associations were also related to nominations in the specific areas of welfare, schools, and representation, as well as to the total general nominations received by the association officers and to the number of joint-officer links with other associations. First and second generation respondents made much the same associational nominations aside from the greater second generation tendency to nominate associations prominent in welfare. Association nominations were also related to the "distance" between the respondent and the association: his own associations and associations directly linked to them were disproportionately named. Four main issues were isolated. The number of leaders named for an issue was less than that for a specific issue area, in turn less than the number of general leaders named. Leaders overlapped little from issue to issue. Almost all issue leaders were also named as general leaders. Associations were rarely mentioned as influential in the issues; their activities seem to be confined to their own members as a rule. General influence was found to be a useful variable for both associations and leaders. It was closely related to more specific influence and to strategic location on communication channels formed by executive overlaps. Broadly, the thesis indicates that it is useful and feasible to approach Chinese communities with the techniques and findings developed for North American towns. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

This study explores the ethnic identification and ethnic identity of immigrant Chinese mothers (n = 56) and adolescents (n = 55) living in the Greater Vancouver Area, British Columbia, Canada. Survey methods were used to assess: (a) measures of ethnic identification and ethnic identity, (b) intergenerational similitude of ethnic identification, and (c) intergenerational similitude of ethnic identity. Findings contribute to the conceptualization and measurement of both ethnic identification and ethnic identity. Most noteworthy, results support (a) that the Ethnic Identification Scale is an adequate measure of ethnic identification, (b) the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Scale (Phinney, 1992) contains a single component with two theoretical dimensions, and (c) ethnic identification and ethnic identity are distinct constructs. In addition, the intergenerational similitude of ethnic identification and ethnic identity was examined according to the goodness-of-fit and exploration/perspective-taking models. Contrary to expectations, no support was found for the similitude of ethnic identification between mothers and their adolescent children. On the other hand, there was evidence for the intergenerational similitude of ethnic identity, supporting the exploration/perspective-taking model for understanding ethnic identity development within the family context. Adolescents were more likely to explore issues related to their ethnic group membership if their mother engages in the exploration process.

This study explores the ethnic identification and ethnic identity of immigrant Chinese mothers (n = 56) and adolescents (n = 55) living in the Greater Vancouver Area, British Columbia, Canada. Survey methods were used to assess: (a) measures of ethnic identification and ethnic identity, (b) intergenerational similitude of ethnic identification, and (c) intergenerational similitude of ethnic identity. Findings contribute to the conceptualization and measurement of both ethnic identification and ethnic identity. Most noteworthy, results support (a) that the Ethnic Identification Scale is an adequate measure of ethnic identification, (b) the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Scale (Phinney, 1992) contains a single component with two theoretical dimensions, and (c) ethnic identification and ethnic identity are distinct constructs. In addition, the intergenerational similitude of ethnic identification and ethnic identity was examined according to the goodness-of-fit and exploration/perspective-taking models. Contrary to expectations, no support was found for the similitude of ethnic identification between mothers and their adolescent children. On the other hand, there was evidence for the intergenerational similitude of ethnic identity, supporting the exploration/perspective-taking model for understanding ethnic identity development within the family context. Adolescents were more likely to explore issues related to their ethnic group membership if their mother engages in the exploration process. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

The raising of immigration standards for entry into Canada in recent years has resulted in many Chinese immigrant women from Hong Kong being admitted as "independent applicants", on the strength of their academic standing, official language proficiency, and professional training. However, many of them are not able to access jobs for which they would seem to have the appropriate credentials. No studies have yet systematically examined the barriers these women face in the job market in Vancouver. A literature review shows two main approaches to the problems of immigrants adapting to life in their new country. The cultural approach concentrates on the effects of the immigrants' own culture on the adaptation process, and the cultural conflicts between the mainstream culture and the culture immigrants bring with them. The structural approach emphasizes the impact of the social structure of the host country on immigrants, and examines structural barriers which bar immigrants from moving upward in the labour market. The first approach concentrates on immigrants and their culture while the second focuses on the structural constraints experienced by immigrants. The present research argues that examining employment issues of immigrants from only one of these two approaches is inadequate. Both perspectives are important. other informal barriers which could not be categorized under these two approaches should not be ignored. This is a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with 20 Chinese immigrant women from Hong Kong. The research problem is limited to the employment experiences, as well as to the meanings of events and processes, described by these women. The central questions are: (1) What do Chinese immigrant women who come as "independent applicants" experience in the workplace in Vancouver? (2) What does their work in Vancouver mean to them? And (3) What are the factors, in terms of cultural barriers, structural barriers or other elements, that affect these women in the process of job transferability? Suggestions to eliminate barriers are proposed, and recommendations for further studies are presented.

The raising of immigration standards for entry into Canada in recent years has resulted in many Chinese immigrant women from Hong Kong being admitted as "independent applicants", on the strength of their academic standing, official language proficiency, and professional training. However, many of them are not able to access jobs for which they would seem to have the appropriate credentials. No studies have yet systematically examined the barriers these women face in the job market in Vancouver. A literature review shows two main approaches to the problems of immigrants adapting to life in their new country. The cultural approach concentrates on the effects of the immigrants' own culture on the adaptation process, and the cultural conflicts between the mainstream culture and the culture immigrants bring with them. The structural approach emphasizes the impact of the social structure of the host country on immigrants, and examines structural barriers which bar immigrants from moving upward in the labour market. The first approach concentrates on immigrants and their culture while the second focuses on the structural constraints experienced by immigrants. The present research argues that examining employment issues of immigrants from only one of these two approaches is inadequate. Both perspectives are important. other informal barriers which could not be categorized under these two approaches should not be ignored. This is a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with 20 Chinese immigrant women from Hong Kong. The research problem is limited to the employment experiences, as well as to the meanings of events and processes, described by these women. The central questions are: (1) What do Chinese immigrant women who come as "independent applicants" experience in the workplace in Vancouver? (2) What does their work in Vancouver mean to them? And (3) What are the factors, in terms of cultural barriers, structural barriers or other elements, that affect these women in the process of job transferability? Suggestions to eliminate barriers are proposed, and recommendations for further studies are presented. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

This study examines the residential patterns of the Chinese within the city of Vancouver. The Chinese are the single largest Asian minority ethnic group in Vancouver arid have a uniquely concentrated pattern of distribution. The study first summarises the general history of Chinese immigration into Canada, particularly British Columbia, over the past 100 years, and also examines the growth of Vancouver's Chinatown. Using published and unpublished census data the changing patterns of Chinese settlement within the City of Vancouver are described. Next, drawing on census data and on material collected through a Sample. Survey of 125 Chinese families in 1969, some overall characteristics of the Vancouver Chinese community are described, in terms of such factors as age-sex structure, education, period of immigration, and residential patterns. It is hypothesised that there are basic differences between the Chinatown and suburban Chinese in Vancouver. This hypothesis was tested and it showed that there were significant differences between the Chinese living in these different locations in terms of demographic, economic, residential and social factors, in conclusion, the study suggests that inquiries of this nature could be profitably repeated with other ethnic groups within the city. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate

This thesis is a qualitative study of Chinese professionals in Vancouver. Thirteen respondents were subjected to unstructured in-depth interviews guided by a questionaire schedule which seek to explore the respondents' experience of their ethnicity in their work environment and outside of it. The data gathered was interpreted in terms of status inconsistency theory. Status inconsistency theory looks at the locations of individuals in a set of status hierarchies, the relationship between these locations and its consequences. Objectively, Chinese ethnic status is inconsistent with professional status since the former is negatively evaluated in relation to most White ethnic groups while professional status is positively evaluated in relation to most other occupational statuses. The main body of the thesis deals with status inconsistency as it is translated into the subjective experiences of Chinese professionals. Ethnic status is inconsistent with professional status when it deprives Chinese professionals of the prestige available to professionals of positively evaluated ethnic groups; when Chinese professionals are treated according to their lower ethnic status rather than their higher professional status» and when Chinese professionals experience special difficulties in their work environment as a result of their ethnic status — such as difficulties in getting promotions and difficulties in communicating with superiors and colleagues. This thesis found that Chinese professionals respond to status inconsistency in various ways. The participation of Chinese professionals in ethnic organisations is particularly striking. This active involvement with one's own ethnic group appear to contradict another tendency of the respondents: the tendency to negatively evaluate their own ethnic group. In terms of status inconsistency theory, involvement in ethnic organisations dissolves the connection between professional status and ethnic status since within the ethnic group, ethnic status rankings does not apply. Occupational status is the more relevant criterion of rank within one's own ethnic group. Thus,Chinese professionals within their own ethnic group are regarded only in terms of their high professional status and thus enjoy high prestige. Negative evaluation of one's own ethnic group is, on the other hand, a confirmation of ethnic group rankings with an attempt to dissociate oneself from one's own negatively evaluated ethnic group by adopting the role of an outsider. This thesis is exploratory in nature. It aimed to find common problems and common responses. Its findings may be useful in generating hypotheses for future research. / Arts, Faculty of / Anthropology, Department of / Graduate

Greater Vancouver has experienced a dramatic influx of international immigration in the past three decades. This demographic change has two major implications for sustainable development in this region. First, the increase of population is placing great pressure on the environment and maintaining the current quality of life. Second, while it is critical to include the rapidly-growing immigrant population in the Greater Vancouver region's sustainability initiatives, the increasing ethnic diversity of this region raises issues of communication and cross-cultural understanding. This exploratory study examines Chinese immigrants housing preferences and explores their implications for sustainable community development in Greater Vancouver. This study focuses on Chinese immigrants because they have an increasing influence on the region's physical, cultural and political landscape. Through 30 in-depth interviews with Chinese immigrants of qualitatively different backgrounds, this study examined preferences for home location, attributes of dwelling, and its proximal space. The study employed grounded theory approach assisted with picture comparison and trade-off game techniques. Results indicate that Chinese immigrants' housing aspirations are strongly influenced by a desire to assimilate into mainstream culture in North America. Further, considerations of traditional Chinese v housing form and style are not a priority among the study group. However, an array of social and economic constraints and priorities inform their housing choices. Amenities that are important to Chinese immigrants are identified for various aspects of a community. A number of recommendations are drawn from these priorities and preferences, which may be applied by planners, policy makers, designers and developers of sustainable communities for Chinese immigrant populations. Additional observations on language barriers, civic involvement, and community outreach programs suggest challenges and opportunities to promote sustainable living among Chinese immigrants. / Science, Faculty of / Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), Institute for / Graduate

This thesis examines the recent emergence of Astronaut and Satellite family forms in Vancouver, British Columbia. Evident in several cities around the Pacific Rim, these transnational arrangements, among economic-class immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan, involve one or both adult members of the nuclear family returning to the country of origin to pursue a professional career or business. In the Astronaut arrangement, it is usual for the woman to remain in Vancouver - taking charge of all domestic and childcare tasks. In the Satellite situation, children are left without parental guidance for most of the year. Dominant media and academic representations point to two contrasting interpretations of these phenomena. Recently, academics have emphasised the financial vulnerability of these assumed 'wealthy' immigrants. Migrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan are understood to be "reluctant exiles," and the Astronaut situation reflects a failure to find work in the new country. A second, more common portrayal conceives of these migrants as part of a larger, "hypermobile" cosmopolitan elite, who utilise migration as a strategy of economic and cultural accumulation. Particular forms of capital are achievable at particular global sites; the Astronaut and Satellite arrangements epitomise the placement of different family members in different locations to this end. Through in-depth interviews with members of 42 such fragmented families residing in Vancouver, I established the generally strategic nature of these circumstances. Overwhelmingly, migration had been sought primarily for the education of the children, and the transnational arrangement was planned before migration. I was interested also in how the lone spouse and the Satellite children experienced their situation. A different body of academic literature has emphasised the way in which migration negatively impacts the female of the family, and also how the Chinese family remains significantly patriarchal after migration. For the female participants, practical and emotional difficulties were encountered during the first year of settlement - exacerbated by the loss of both the spouse and old support networks in the new setting of Vancouver. Women undertook all domestic tasks and commonly experienced feelings of boredom, loneliness and fear. After a year, however, many women reported a sense of freedom, clearly linked to the absence of the husband and their own agency in the creation of new support networks and stable surroundings. The Satellite children presented an ambivalent picture of freedom and aloneness. In the command of their daily lives and in the subversion of parental control and expectations (for example, regarding their strategic acquisition of 'cultural capital') they demonstrated significant independence. Yet they had little control over their placement in Vancouver. The negative implications of this family arrangement for the emotional well-being of the children were clearly apparent, and school staff in particular stressed the need to regard Satellite status as a social problem. The empirical data challenge many assumptions concerning the flexible Chinese family in the contemporary era of transnationalism and globalisation.

This thesis examines the recent emergence of Astronaut and Satellite family forms in Vancouver, British Columbia. Evident in several cities around the Pacific Rim, these transnational arrangements, among economic-class immigrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan, involve one or both adult members of the nuclear family returning to the country of origin to pursue a professional career or business. In the Astronaut arrangement, it is usual for the woman to remain in Vancouver - taking charge of all domestic and childcare tasks. In the Satellite situation, children are left without parental guidance for most of the year. Dominant media and academic representations point to two contrasting interpretations of these phenomena. Recently, academics have emphasised the financial vulnerability of these assumed 'wealthy' immigrants. Migrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan are understood to be "reluctant exiles," and the Astronaut situation reflects a failure to find work in the new country. A second, more common portrayal conceives of these migrants as part of a larger, "hypermobile" cosmopolitan elite, who utilise migration as a strategy of economic and cultural accumulation. Particular forms of capital are achievable at particular global sites; the Astronaut and Satellite arrangements epitomise the placement of different family members in different locations to this end. Through in-depth interviews with members of 42 such fragmented families residing in Vancouver, I established the generally strategic nature of these circumstances. Overwhelmingly, migration had been sought primarily for the education of the children, and the transnational arrangement was planned before migration. I was interested also in how the lone spouse and the Satellite children experienced their situation. A different body of academic literature has emphasised the way in which migration negatively impacts the female of the family, and also how the Chinese family remains significantly patriarchal after migration. For the female participants, practical and emotional difficulties were encountered during the first year of settlement - exacerbated by the loss of both the spouse and old support networks in the new setting of Vancouver. Women undertook all domestic tasks and commonly experienced feelings of boredom, loneliness and fear. After a year, however, many women reported a sense of freedom, clearly linked to the absence of the husband and their own agency in the creation of new support networks and stable surroundings. The Satellite children presented an ambivalent picture of freedom and aloneness. In the command of their daily lives and in the subversion of parental control and expectations (for example, regarding their strategic acquisition of 'cultural capital') they demonstrated significant independence. Yet they had little control over their placement in Vancouver. The negative implications of this family arrangement for the emotional well-being of the children were clearly apparent, and school staff in particular stressed the need to regard Satellite status as a social problem. The empirical data challenge many assumptions concerning the flexible Chinese family in the contemporary era of transnationalism and globalisation. / Arts, Faculty of / Geography, Department of / Graduate