THE TREATMENT OF CHINESE AND JAPANESE CHARACTERS IN AMERICAN SETTINGS IN SELECTED WORKS OF FICTION FOR CHILDREN

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine how Chinese and Japanese characters in American settings were characterized in a population of fifty-four works of children's fiction based on an analysis of specified characteristics and stereotypic terms. The following four null hypotheses were tested: (1) there are no differences between the treatment of Japanese and Chinese characters; (2) there are no differences between the portrayal of Chinese and Japanese characters in works written by Asian Americans and those written by non-Asian Americans; (3) there are no discernible changes over time in the treatment of Chinese and Japanese characters; and (4) works of fiction for children with Chinese and Japanese characters in American settings are not racially biased.;Findings. Null hypotheses one, two, and three were rejected since differences of more than 10 percent were found in the following areas: (1) more Chinese were portrayed as being traditionally oriented and as belonging to the lower class, whereas more Japanese were depicted as being Westernized and as belonging to the middle class; (2) more non-Asian American writers portrayed characters as desiring recognition through achievement, whereas more Asian American writers pictured characters as valuing family and Asian ties; and (3) more works published prior to 1970 portrayed characters as members of a model minority seeking approval from the dominant culture, whereas more works published since 1970 depicted characters as seeking self-realization and independence.;The fourth null hypothesis was accepted since no book met five or more of the nine criteria.;Conclusions. Although no one book was determined to be racially biased, certain stereotypic tendencies were noted, particularly in works written by non-Asian Americans and published prior to 1970. The study revealed that there was a continuing need to portray Chinese and Japanese characters in a variety of lifestyles and situations and to encourage more Asian Americans to write and illustrate children's books depicting their own ethnic groups.;Methodology. A character analysis instrument based on one developed by Berelson and Salter and an instrument based on the Katz and Braly List of Verbal Stereotypes were employed. In addition, a list of nine criteria compiled from guidelines published by the Council on Interracial Books for Children was used to detect racial bias.