Divorce Among Asian Americans Research Paper

The Asian American community is diverse, encompassing individuals and families from different countries of origin, with distinct cultural beliefs and traditions, as well as varying acculturation levels and experiences in the United States. For example, countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam share similar beliefs relating to the Confucian teachings of family honor and the central role of the family in society. Confucianism states that if there is order within the family, then there will be order in society. Therefore, divorce or the breakdown of the family system is vigorously discouraged, and in the past it was reprimanded for fear that it would contribute to the deterioration of society as a whole. In some Asian countries, including India and Bangladesh, the formation of family has been influenced by the practice of arranged marriage and the dowry system. Decisions regarding marriage and divorce have traditionally been controlled by parents or the extended family. In Asian cultures with an emphasis on collectivism, marriage is not simply between two individuals but between two families.

With these values among various Asian American communities’ backgrounds, divorce is a complicated matter. Its cultural considerations and how Asian American families adjust throughout the process must be taken into account in order to understand the phenomenon of divorce in this context.

History and Perceptions of Divorce

Generally speaking, there are strong social deterrents against divorce within the Asian American community. These negative sentiments take root in the sociohistorical context of the country of origin. Historically, wives in many Asian countries were forbidden to divorce their husbands regardless of the circumstances. Many women found themselves trapped in violent or abusive relationships with no escape. Only husbands and their parents could initiate divorce, and they could do so for any reason, ranging from the wife’s adultery to her overindulgence in gossip. Most often, the husband’s parents could also repudiate the wife if she were unable to produce children, particularly a son to carry on the family name.

Many women also feared divorce because of a lack of legal rights and protection. In cases where children were involved, custody was automatically given to the father regardless of the reason leading to the divorce. Therefore, women stayed married for fear of losing their children. Women who managed to leave an unhappy or abusive marriage often found themselves stranded, with no one to turn to for support. The woman’s family of origin might not have supported her decision to leave the marriage for fear of “losing face” within the community. Moreover, married women traditionally belonged to the husband’s family; therefore, in some cases, her family of origin could run afoul of the law if they encouraged her to leave the marriage. The traditional perception of divorce has been challenged and has been changing with the rapid economic development and social transition of Asian countries in recent years.

Additionally, living in the United States and being exposed to Western culture led to changes in the traditional view of the family and marriage. More Asian Americans are now open to the idea of divorce; however, the stigma associated with this status remains strong. Individuals undergoing a divorce are often seen as bringing shame to their family. Many Asian Americans who have been divorced or believe that divorce is socially acceptable nevertheless have been ostracized. Many are judged by their friends and family members, as well as the community at large. The couple undergoing the divorce are seen as failures, both as individuals and, where children are involved, as parents.

Although divorce is negatively perceived, divorced Asian American women are usually more severely criticized than their male counterparts, viewed (unlike the men) as morally loose and lacking in character. They are often blamed for the divorce on the grounds that they were unable to make the marriage work (the assumption being that it is the woman’s job to save the marriage). These negative social repercussions are generally not experienced by Asian American men. Even in cases involving extramarital affairs, men are forgiven for their behaviors and their mistakes are overlooked. After the divorce, they also tend to find a partner and remarry quicker than their female counterparts.

Acculturation Level and Generational Factors

Acculturation levels and generational factors are associated with the cultural influences of divorce. Asian American families consist of a complex network of individuals across different generations holding varying levels of acculturation and beliefs. First-generation immigrants, particularly parents or grandparents, tend to be more traditional in their views of marriage and divorce. They are influenced by the ideals of collectivism, which values individuals working together for the well-being and happiness of their group. This sometimes requires each person to sacrifice autonomy and independence for the sake of the family. Therefore, many couples stay in troubled or unhappy marriages for the sake of the children or the family or for the sake of maintaining their extended social network.

Younger individuals—in the second, third, or fourth generation—tend to have adopted American values and perspectives. They are influenced by the values of individualism, which places personal well-being and happiness above the welfare of the group. They see marriage and divorce as personal matters, to be decided by the couple alone. If they are not happy in a marriage, they tend to believe that it is in their best interests to end it. It is important to emphasize the fact that neither one of these perspectives is superior. These are simply two different ways of seeing the world and social relationships. In the context of the family, these worldviews determine the level of acceptance and tolerance of the idea of divorce, along with the level of social support that Asian Americans are willing to give to family members who are going through the divorce process.

In addition to affecting the view of marriage and divorce, acculturation level plays a crucial role in instigating marital conflicts. This is particularly relevant in situations where an Asian American man or an Asian American woman marries a spouse from their native country and later brings the spouse to the United States. Although the couple shares a similar cultural heritage, their divergent experiences and acculturation level in the U.S. context could contribute to an increased level of marital distress and increase the probability of divorce. In their country of origin, the non-U.S. spouse often has certain ideals about life in America, congruent to that of the American Dream. When they are reunited with their spouse in the United States, they often find that the realities of life do not match their ideals and expectations. This sometimes leads to dissatisfaction and feelings of dissonance, causing marital stress and conflict, which are precursors to divorce.

Divorce and Interracial Families

Cultural dynamics are also prevalent in interracial families, if not more so than in same-race families. Although the stigma against interracial relationships still exists, the frequency of marriages between couples of different racial and ethnic backgrounds has increased over the years. Similarly, there is a small but growing percentage of Asian American interracial marriages. Marital stability, or lack thereof, is affected by numerous factors, such as socioeconomic status, educational and commitment levels, religious and age differences, family history, and premarital experiences such as cohabitation. The interconnections between these factors become increasingly complex within an interracial marriage. However, research shows that interracial marriages between Asian Americans and non-Asian Americans are more likely to end in divorce than are marriages between Asian Americans of the same race. Gender also plays a part in this dynamic, such that Asian American men who marry a spouse of a different race are more likely to divorce than are Asian American women who marry interracially. Overall, marriages that cross ethnic and racial lines are more prone to marital disruptions.

Several explanations have been proposed to explain this increased prevalence of divorce among interracial couples. First, individuals from different cultural backgrounds grew up in divergent contexts. They were socialized with different values, expectations, and beliefs about family, marriage, and parenting practices. When these values, expectations, and beliefs come together in the context of an interracial marriage, conflicts are more likely to occur. Thrown into the mix are ethnic identity issues, particularly for multiracial children growing up in these families. With all of these challenges to overcome, interracial families tend to experience greater disruptions and distress in comparison to same-race families. In addition, interracial marriages still face the added social pressures and stigmas. In some cases, family members or friends may turn away or even withdraw their support for the couple, which is crucial in times of marital upheaval.

Changes in Traditional Gender Roles

Changes in traditional gender roles also contribute to the changing view and rate of divorce in Asian American families. Traditionally, marriage was a means of economic survival, especially for Asian women, who often could not work outside the home and had to carry the sole responsibility of child rearing. Marriage was also a means for families to link their resources and expand their networks. Traditional Asian families are structured on a rigid social hierarchy based on sex and age, where women are at the bottom of the social ladder with limited power and influence. The husband is the breadwinner and sole decision maker and the wife is the subservient follower and homemaker.

In the United States, many Asian Americans, particularly women, find opportunities to work outside the home and earn their own wages. Many have also pursued higher education. Therefore, they have more options and more choices than their mothers or grandmothers did in the past. These opportunities produce a shift in the gender roles and expectations. Asian American women are contributing economically to the household and have more leverage in negotiating household tasks and responsibilities. The expanded economic opportunities also allow Asian American individuals more power to make their own decisions in regard to whom and when to marry, as well as on what basis they choose to divorce. They are no longer restricted by economic constraints.

Changes in Family Structure

Changes in the traditional family structure and network also play a role in increasing the rate of divorce. In many Asian countries, individuals are surrounded by a large social network consisting of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. It is not uncommon for several generations to reside within the same household or locale. When marital conflicts arise, the couple often receives mediation and support from numerous individuals within the family network, making it easier to resolve and mend the relationship. Parents and other family members are available to relieve the couple of childcare and household responsibilities.

However, this extended network of support has been slowly diminishing as Asian families immigrated and acculturated to life in America. Asian American adult children rarely live with their aging parents. Most live far away from their families of origin because of their careers or work placement. Overall, the nuclear family has become the dominant family structure. Under this living arrangement, the couple has less support than is available from the extended family and other caregivers. When a couple experience marital distress, they have fewer people to talk to and the conflicts may accumulate over the years. Couples with children often face the added stress of childcare while juggling a career. These stresses take a toll on the quality of the marriage and contribute to an increased likelihood of a divorce.

The Process of Divorce

Divorce is difficult under any circumstance. In cases involving domestic or spousal abuse, divorce has been argued as an appropriate course of action for all individuals involved. Like all families, Asian American individuals going through dissolution of a marriage undoubtedly have to cope with stress and readjustments throughout the process. They experience the fear of not knowing what to expect and how other people in their family and the ethnic community will react to their decision. Some Asian American women find themselves socially isolated and lacking support after experiencing a divorce. They can often be blamed for the breakup of the marriage, and many internalize this blame, seeing it as their fault that the divorce occurred. The overall lack of social support makes both the process of divorce and coping after the divorce more difficult.

Children involved in divorce are deeply affected by this family transition developmentally, socially, and academically. With parents incapable of effective coparenting after divorce, these children tend to exhibit more behavioral and emotional problems than children from intact families. They are more likely to engage in substance use, aggression, and delinquency. These children also have a higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, and academic problems than their counterparts. Especially in ethnic communities where divorce is a rare occurrence, these children may face stigma from their peers and may also be socially isolated.

Conclusion

Divorce in Asian American families has a deep impact on the broader family system in addition to all those who are intimately involved. The process is full of challenges intertwined with cultural and social implications. Multiple factors can lead to the dissolution of a marriage, some unique to Asian American families and others more widespread. For instance, whereas marital strife and conflicts characterize all marriages on the road leading to divorce, for Asian Americans, generational status and acculturation levels play a crucial role in influencing family dynamics and the perception of divorce, particularly with regard to interracial marriages. Changes in gender roles and family structure also contribute to an increased rate of divorce within Asian American families. Although acceptance of divorce is growing as a result of Western influences and acculturation, the stigma remains within the Asian American community. Social support and assistance are critical in helping families adjust and cope with the transition.

Bibliography:

1. Bratter, Jenifer L. and Rosalind B. King. “But Will It Last? Marital Instability Among Interracial and Same-Race Couples.” Family Relations, v.57/2 (2008).
2. Huang, Wei-Jen. “An Asian Perspective on Relationship and Marriage Education.” Family Process, v.44/2 (2005).
3. Hung, Li-Ching and Cary Stacy Smith. “Chinese Females in America and Taiwan Pondering Divorce: Counseling Methods.” 2006. https://www.counseling.org/resources/library/VISTAS/vistas06_online-only/Hung.pdf
4. Kung, Winnie W. “How the Sociocultural Context Shapes Women’s Divorce Experience in Hong Kong.” Journal of               Comparative         Family    Studies, v.35/1 (2004).
5. Tewari, Nita and Alvin Alvarez. Asian American               Psychology:          Current   Perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2009.