Multicultural Interview
Multicultural Interview and Analysis This paper intends to put the theoretical concepts learned in class into practice through an analysis of a ‘case study’ of an East Asian person, in order to demonstrate the extent of my understanding of how life experiences have shaped an individual’s thoughts and worldviews from an East Asian cultural context. The paper is organized into three sections, the first section introduces the interviewee’s demographic information and some additional comments on the format of the interview; followed by the second section – beginning with a short account of China’s modern history as essential background knowledge for a fuller in-depth understanding of the social conditions that the person grew up with, then
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For L, family is the most comfortable place, the last refuge of your spirits where you can take off your mask and just be yourself, and, L noted how he has come to regard family in a different light as an adult. As a kid, family used to be enjoyment for L where he liked doing whatever he want regardless of duties or responsibilities such as unfinished homework, as long as he got high marks that is enough to make his parents proud; also, decisions and plans made by adults are usually obeyed and followed by the children without much questions. However, as time goes by and L grows into an adult, things and ideas change as well, where responsibility and self-autonomy became more important to him, for example, paying more consideration about the ‘links’ and ‘responsibility’ between himself and family members, or, choosing university and major on his own when faced with key choices. L also acknowledges the differences of opinions between them as normal and common, but he will and does talk about them with his parents when at home, however, like what his friend says “At some critical moments, the people who won’t agree with you most, perhaps are your parents”. For example, if a gay or lesbian decides to come out in the public in China, it will drive their parents mad first. Overall, with regard to family patterns and values, L demonstrates an example of Chinese cultural psychology emphasizing on familial relations: one’s family is considered as the main source of trust and dependence; the goals the children pursue don’t come into conflict with their parents’ expectations; parents’ advices regarding education/career plans are important but ultimately the decision rests on the person making it; acknowledging and respecting differences of opinions within the general public to preserve harmony in consistence
For L, family is the most comfortable place, the last refuge of your spirits where you can take off your mask and just be yourself, and, L noted how he has come to regard family in a different light as an adult. As a kid, family used to be enjoyment for L where he liked doing whatever he want regardless of duties or responsibilities such as unfinished homework, as long as he got high marks that is enough to make his parents proud; also, decisions and plans made by adults are usually obeyed and followed by the children without much questions. However, as time goes by and L grows into an adult, things and ideas change as well, where responsibility and self-autonomy became more important to him, for example, paying more consideration about the ‘links’ and ‘responsibility’ between himself and family members, or, choosing university and major on his own when faced with key choices. L also acknowledges the differences of opinions between them as normal and common, but he will and does talk about them with his parents when at home, however, like what his friend says “At some critical moments, the people who won’t agree with you most, perhaps are your parents”. For example, if a gay or lesbian decides to come out in the public in China, it will drive their parents mad first. Overall, with regard to family patterns and values, L demonstrates an example of Chinese cultural psychology emphasizing on familial relations: one’s family is considered as the main source of trust and dependence; the goals the children pursue don’t come into conflict with their parents’ expectations; parents’ advices regarding education/career plans are important but ultimately the decision rests on the person making it; acknowledging and respecting differences of opinions within the general public to preserve harmony in consistence