A content analysis of cross-cultural interaction patterns of Chinese-Americans in selected realistic fiction for children ages 8 through 12

The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-cultural interactions of Chinese Americans as portrayed in realistic fiction published in the United States from 1967 through 1991 for children ages 8 through 12. Nine questions were addressed concerning (a) the frequency of cross-cultural interactions, (b) demographic information for the Chinese Americans and other ethnic characters portrayed, (c) basic information (e.g., settings and topics) related to the characters and their interactions, (d) guiding principles, attitudes, and behaviors of the Chinese Americans and problems they encountered in their interactions within their own culture and interactions with other ethnic characters, (e) guiding principles, attitudes, and behaviors of other ethnic characters and problems they encountered in their interactions with Chinese Americans, and (f) incidence of real versus stereotypical behaviors portrayed.;Content analysis was the research method used. Each of the sixteen books was divided into episodes in which interactions among Chinese Americans or interactions between Chinese Americans and other ethnic characters took place. Using information about Chinese Americans collected from related literature, the researcher developed coding sheets which she used to record the demographic and other basic information for each character and a description of his/her role in each interaction as presented in an episode. As a result, the frequency, nature, and characteristics of the cross-cultural interactions and the characters involved were specified. Also, any changes in the quality (e.g., favorable or unfavorable) of the cross-cultural interactions throughout the storylines were evaluated.;The results of the analysis indicated that the books analyzed adhere to an integration philosophy with respect to how Chinese Americans can fit into American society. In addition, the cross-cultural interactions depicted show positive influences on the feelings and understandings for both Chinese-American characters and characters from other ethnic groups. However, this analysis also indicated that racial and cultural traits are still obstacles for Chinese Americans in the process of integration. The portrayal of Chinese Americans reflected both a realistic and a stereotypic picture, taking into account the history of their immigration to America. While not all of the stereotypes were negative, their overpresentation might convey inaccurate messages about Chinese Americans.