Cultural socialization of adolescents’ ethnic identity is associated with the context surrounding adolescents and their families. Cross-sectional data collected from Canadian immigrant Chinese families (N = 183) were used to investigate the role of parents in adolescents’ ethnic identity development. Study 1 examined direct and moderated relations (i.e., adolescents’ gender, age, and parents’ perceptions of discrimination) between parents’ ethnic identity and cultural orientation goals for their adolescents and parental enculturation efforts. Study 2 examined direct and moderated relations (i.e., adolescents’ gender, age, parental warmth, presence of grandparents and adolescents’ reports of discrimination) among parental enculturation and the number of Chinese friends, and adolescents’ ethnic identity (both ethnic identity achievement and ethnic affirmation and belonging). Study 1 results showed that parents’ ethnic identity and Chinese and Canadian cultural orientation goals for their adolescents were directly associated with their enculturation efforts. Fathers’ reports of discrimination moderated the relations between his Chinese cultural orientation goals for his adolescent and his enculturation efforts. Specifically, this relationship was particularly strong among fathers who reported lower levels of discrimination. These findings suggest that immigrant Chinese parents’ decision to engage in enculturation may be intrinsically motivated. Study 2 results showed that parental enculturation, maternal warmth, and adolescents’ reports of discrimination contributed to adolescents’ ethnic identity achievement. These results suggest that adolescents’ ethnic identity achievement may be supported by opportunities for adolescents to learn about their ethnic culture through parental enculturation and think about their ethnicity through experiences of discrimination. In comparison, adolescents’ feelings of ethnic affirmation and belonging were related to mother-father enculturation differences, the number of Chinese friends, and maternal warmth. These findings suggest that feelings of ethnic affirmation and belonging for adolescents may be supported by flexibility related to mothers and fathers engaging in differing levels of enculturation, and autonomy related to adolescents having more Chinese friends. Adolescents’ age moderated the relations between fathers’ enculturation efforts and adolescents’ ethnic identity achievement. The few moderated findings further underscored the importance of parents in Chinese adolescents’ ethnic identity development. / Graduate

The problem of this dissertation was to examine certain changes in the age and sex hierarchy, extending from the traditional family to the family in Nationalist China and Communist China, with special emphasis from 1959 to 1975, and the relationship between education and the family. Discrepancies between the ideal and the actual structures in those changes are noted. Chapter XI is the summary and conclusions of the study. Possible future trends of the Chinese family are examined and further studies are suggested.

Background: The family-centred cultural construct of filial responsibility forms the core foundation of the traditional mosaic of a typical intergenerational Singapore-Chinese family. Due to modernization, several generations co-habiting within the same household or living in separate households have shrunk to smaller-sized immediate and extended families residing in mostly high-rise apartments. This change has impacted on the social norm of traditional intergenerational Singapore-Chinese caregiving. Currently, there are gaps in understanding the intergenerational Singapore-Chinese families and caregiving in dementia. Only a few studies to date have discussed the intersection on intergenerational family care, but an in-depth exploration of intergenerational Singapore-Chinese families' cultural beliefs and values is an important consideration when attempting to understand the family and determine their support and maintenance of relational bonds. Aims: The aim of this longitudinal, case study research using a participatory approach was to better understand the everyday caregiving experience of intergenerational Singapore-Chinese families within the context of each family unit living together in Singapore 'under one roof'. Family biographies were co-constructed with five intergenerational families living 'under one roof' during repeated and scheduled visits with each participating family over a period of between six to 15 months. The interviews included the completion of a 23-item structured questionnaire, co-construction of a genogram and ecomap with each family, drawings, audio recordings and digital photographs of the home environment, items and activities. Results: Narrative analysis of the five intergenerational cases resulted in the emergence of three themes that explained and explored the various dynamics in the data, namely: i) Family values, and its supporting sub-themes of culture; religion; and filial piety; ii) Family support, and its supporting sub-themes of timeliness; internal support network; and external support network; and iii) Family bonds, and its supporting sub-themes of relational; closeness and conflict; and challenges. Data analysis also generated a meta-theme 'Intergenerational Family Connections' which was supported by three properties: i) Strongly held beliefs and practices; ii) Shared space; and iii) Supporting family togetherness. Conclusion: This study has led to an in-depth understanding of the everyday experience of the intergenerational Singapore-Chinese families of a person with dementia, within the shared context of their family construction. This study makes an original and significant contribution to knowledge through the development of a new theoretical model on intergenerational family connections in dementia care. The findings will better inform formal and informal service providers and policy makers on how best to support and maintain the relational dynamics of intergenerational Singapore-Chinese families who provide care for the person with dementia at home.

As a Chinese filmmaker, I feel obligated to reveal a true story about Chinese international students. Through my subjects and my stories, I am planning to express the messages that both adapting to a new culture and paying the financial cost of a foreign education have never been simple, but we will never give up our dreams.