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ED351435 UD028987
Title: Reaching Out to Their Cultures--Building Communication with Asian-American Families.
Author(s): Shen, Wenju; Mo, Weimin
Pages: 9
Publication Date: 1990
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Information Analysis (070); Opinion papers (120)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Kentucky
Journal Announcement: RIEMAR1993
This paper
discusses some misconceptions about Asian American elementary school
and secondary school students, and describes ways of building effective
communication with the families of these students. The essay begins
by noting the stereotyping of Asian American students as "whiz
kids" and discussing the damaging effect of that characterization
for individual Asian American students. In reality, many Asian American
students are not intellectually gifted, and many difficulties and
problems exist among newly-immigrated families. A second section
gives an overview of some key Asian American cultural values, focusing
on views of family and the relationships between parents and children
as they differ from mainstream U.S. culture. Also considered are
Asian American parents' attitudes toward school, their expectation
that schooling should be in the hands of educational professionals,
parental sacrifice for children, and parents' imposition of guilt
on their
children. Recommendations for improved practice include language
help with communication for parents, staff training in Asian American
and Asian culture, special orientation for Asian American parents,
school communication and interaction with the Asian American community,
and face-to-face conversations and home visits. Included are 10
references. (JB)
Descriptors: *Asian Americans; Communication Problems; *Cultural
Awareness; Cultural Differences; Elementary Secondary Education;
Ethnic Stereotypes; Family Involvement; Family Life; *Intercultural
Communication; Labeling (of Persons); Misconceptions; Parent Attitudes;
Parent Child Relationship; Parent Participation; Parent Role; *Parent
School Relationship
Identifiers: *Asian American Students; *Language Minorities
