Parent-Child Dynamic – Family in the Chinese American Takeout Restaurant

Tag: Parent-Child Dynamic

“I barely ever saw my dad, only ever saw him on Sundays. He had like an apartment behind the restaurant. Since it was like far away from our home in Chinatown, he slept there six days a week and came home only on Sundays.”
– Person E recalls growing up with an absent dad who was always busy working in June 15th, 2022 interview.

Person B, D, and E voiced their less-than-perfect childhood. Person B’s parents did not encourage her to pursue her dreams, believing instead in the safer option to follow in their paved path. Person D and Person E had at least one absent parent, realizing that their upbringing was unlike those of their schoolmates. All three interviewees commented on the visible male-preferred households they grew up in, witnessing their parents treating male offsprings with much better than female offsprings.

It is common for Chinese immigrants to find themselves preoccupied with work and paying off debt in the first few years after landing. After that, many Chinese American restaurant workers build their American life from scratch. “‘They often rely on the schools to socially, morally and academically educate the children,’ said Ann Hochman, the acting principal of Public School 2 on Henry Street in the heart of Fujianese Chinatown.” Person C works to support both her husband’s and her parents, raise their children and put them through college, and ensure she can retire without financial worries.

FUJIAN, U.S.A.: A special report; Within Chinatown, a Slice of Another China – TBy Susan Sachs. The New York Times, 2001

Immigration Journey and Adjusting to Life in America – February 27th, 2023

To respect Person C’s privacy, please contact interviewer to access this interview.

Different Kinds of Chinese Foods and Kinship Aid – March 3rd, 2023

Index: 0:00 – Panda Express and family-owned takeout Chinese restaurant similarities and differences, Panda Express offers promotion incentives and expanded within the last 10 years 3:30 – Next generation will not inherit restaurant business because the work condition is not…

A Combined China-United States Upbringing Interview 2 – April 11th, 2022

Index: 00:40 – Limited opportunities and worldview 6:20 – Eldest child and females lack support 10:40 – Changing traditional family roles 12:20 – Dropping out of high school 14:45 – Chinese restaurant as secure business, money and self-fulfillment 20:00 –…

Peculiar Upbringing and Dynamic Chinese Identity Interview – June 15th, 2022

Index: 00:20 – Pressure to have kids, satellite upbringing, restaurant operations 3:30 – Covid restaurant shutdown 5:20 – Marriage reasons, satellite child trauma 9:30 – Expectations 11:15 – Satellite Child, change in lifestyle from China, food anxiety for the previous…

Generational and Cultural Trauma Interview 1 – June 12th, 2022

Index: 00:40 – Living arrangements 5:40 – Gender and age as factors growing up 8:20 – Restaurant roles, kids helping out in restaurants 10:30 – Restaurant as physical, menial labor, customer service labor 11:15 – Satellite Child, change in lifestyle…

Generational and Cultural Trauma Interview 2 – August 14th, 2022

To respect Person D’s privacy, please contact interviewer to access this interview.