Parental Ethno theories of two groups of Chinese immigrants: a perspective from migration

Abstract

This paper argues against the stereotypical image of the Chinese parent by studying how two groups of Chinese immigrant mothers, economic and knowledge immigrants, rebuilt their parenting ethnotheories after migration to the Netherlands. The results show that economic immigrants believe in natural growth and direct their children through authoritarian relationships, while knowledge immigrants see parenting as a task which demands much personal effort and an equal, transparent and close parent-child relationship. These differences are explained through a focus on both their pre-migration histories and how these are reinterpreted in the migration context.

Reasons for Migration, Post-Migration Sociocultural Characteristics, and Parenting Styles of Chinese American Immigrant Families

“…Perhaps reasons for migration tend to shape domain-specific parenting practices rather than global parent styles captured by measures of authoritative and authoritarian parenting. For example, a study of Chinese immigrant parents in the Netherlands found that migration histories were related to parent involvement in children’s schools [ 38 ].…”

“…From a Chinese cultural perspective, authoritarian parenting that emphasizes conformity to parental expectations may facilitate Chinese parents’ goal for their children to be more hardworking and self-disciplined [ 37 ]. A study of Chinese immigrants in the Netherlands found that individuals migrating from rural areas of China and with fewer socioeconomic resources tended to adopt more authoritarian parenting styles, potentially as a way of maintaining traditional Chinese values [ 38 ]. In contrast, Chinese immigrants who migrated from urban areas of China and sought more skilled occupations in the host country adopted more authoritative parenting styles post-migration.…”

“…The third aim of the study is to explore how reasons for migrating are associated with parenting styles. Based on a prior study of Chinese immigrants in the Netherlands [ 38 ], we hypothesized that those who migrated to seek socioeconomic betterment might report higher authoritative parenting compared to the families who migrated for other reasons.…”

Learning to be a mother: Comparing two groups of Chinese immigrants in the Netherlands

“…In our previous research on Chinese immigrant parents in the Netherlands (Zheng et al, 2018), we found that these two sub-groups of Chinese parents, despite their common ethnic background, differed greatly in their postmigration parenting ideologies. While the so-called ''knowledge immigrants'' carefully and systematically shaped the development of their children by offering them the opportunity to try all sorts of activities to build their identities and skills, the economic immigrants seemed to take the responsibility for their children's upbringing in a different way.…”

Reshaping Parental Ethnotheories of Dutch‐Moroccan Immigrant Parents in the Netherlands: Networking in Multiple Worlds

“…Van den Berg (2007) found that first‐generation Moroccan‐Dutch immigrant mothers were mostly supported by family‐based networks, while friends and professionals were almost absent. Even transnational ties with kin living abroad (mainly in the country of origin) remain a source of support for immigrant parents (Reynolds, 2004; Ryan, 2009; Ryan, Sales, Tilki, & Siara, 2008; Van den Berg, 2007; Zheng, de Haan & Koops, 2019). These networks with similar others, usually referred to as “bonding capital” (Gittell & Vidal, 1998), offer clear advantages such as strong mutual support, a high level of trust, and the ability to share concerns with those who have similar ideas and values.…”