Strangers from a Different Shore Essay Example
An Essay on the book Strangers from a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki
Concerning the question:
“In what ways did the experience of Asian immigrant women differ from that of Asian men? Use examples from at least two different Asian ethnic groups in your answer.”
February 8, 2008
CES 302
Book Essay
Strangers from a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki
Since the beginning of time there has been a distinct division between the sexes. Through sheer definition there is a physical difference between the two but as time has passed there has been an indisputable recognition of the differences in personality and cognition. There are also undeniable differences in the life experiences had by the two sexes that transcends across all ethnicities and cultures worldwide. Struggles shared by each gender are unique. The experiences shared by Asian immigrant women differed greatly from that of Asian men.
One of the greatest things a woman can become is a mother. Bringing a life into the world, caring for it, and then nurturing it into a productive member of society is a full time and sometimes trying job. Asian women who immigrated to America were women who took part in this life role. These women had not only one job, as mother, they had three. Playing the triple role of being a wife, mother, and moneymaker proved to be more of a challenge then they had ever expected. In Chinese culture, family and home are synonymous. They even shared the same character in Chinese. Women in all classes were regarded as inferior to men and were expected to remain at home, attentive to family and domestic responsibilities (Takaki, 36). After their immigration to America, Asian women found themselves thrust into a position in which they had never truly been before. While still in Asia, they remained in the home making sure to upkeep an honorable household and to take care of the family. In the new world, they were forced to join the working society, the
Concerning the question:
“In what ways did the experience of Asian immigrant women differ from that of Asian men? Use examples from at least two different Asian ethnic groups in your answer.”
February 8, 2008
CES 302
Book Essay
Strangers from a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki
Since the beginning of time there has been a distinct division between the sexes. Through sheer definition there is a physical difference between the two but as time has passed there has been an indisputable recognition of the differences in personality and cognition. There are also undeniable differences in the life experiences had by the two sexes that transcends across all ethnicities and cultures worldwide. Struggles shared by each gender are unique. The experiences shared by Asian immigrant women differed greatly from that of Asian men.
One of the greatest things a woman can become is a mother. Bringing a life into the world, caring for it, and then nurturing it into a productive member of society is a full time and sometimes trying job. Asian women who immigrated to America were women who took part in this life role. These women had not only one job, as mother, they had three. Playing the triple role of being a wife, mother, and moneymaker proved to be more of a challenge then they had ever expected. In Chinese culture, family and home are synonymous. They even shared the same character in Chinese. Women in all classes were regarded as inferior to men and were expected to remain at home, attentive to family and domestic responsibilities (Takaki, 36). After their immigration to America, Asian women found themselves thrust into a position in which they had never truly been before. While still in Asia, they remained in the home making sure to upkeep an honorable household and to take care of the family. In the new world, they were forced to join the working society, the