Understanding How Chinese Canadian Parents Perceive Anti-Asian Racism: A Ma(i)Cro Analysis

Background:

Prejudice and discrimination against Asians are distinctive and but often invisible. Stemming from the backdrop of colonialism and its establishment of racial classifications, racism against Asians intersects with xenophobia and bias based on cultural and ethnic identity. Asian youth who encounter racism experience decreased self-esteem and heightened levels of distress and anxiety. While parents can be a salient resource for racialized children against the detrimental effect of racism, available studies suggest that racism is rarely discussed at Asian homes. Guided by the Ma(i)cro perspective (Rogers et al., 2021), this qualitative study aims to explore how Chinese Canadian parents perceive and navigate with anti-Asian racism (AAR).

Methods:

Fifty-six Chinese Canadian parents (Mean age: 42.6 years; 78.8% mothers) who have at least one child under 18 participated in an online focus group based on their preferred language (6 in Cantonese, 6 in Mandarin, and 3 in English). All transcripts were transcribed verbatim, and the quality of translated transcripts was cross-checked by two research assistants. Reflexive thematic analysis and its six steps outlined by Braun and Clarke (2019, 2022) were used to analyze the study data. Throughout the research process, all research team members remained deeply involved, gathering and interpreting data while actively reflecting on and unpacking our individual perspectives. Memos, facilitator debriefs, and audit trails were utilized to support the analysis process.

Results:

Immigration generation, colonization, and Asian cultural values appear to play a role in parents’ understanding of AAR. For example, first-generation and newcomer parents tend to struggle more with recognizing AAR and discussing such matters with their children. Lived experience with colonization shapes how parents perceive AAR in Canada, leading them to normalize its presence. Some parents believe that the "multicultural" context makes Canada immune to racism (e.g., "I have never experienced racism in Canada. It's a very multicultural/peaceful country"). Additionally, some parents believe that the "model minority" stereotype is not a myth. Endurance, harmony, peace, and self-introspection – examples of virtues in Confucian teachings – contribute to maintaining AAR, as children are socialized with these teachings and encouraged to apply them when they encounter AAR (e.g., "Don't make trouble"; "Chinese cultural value is to maintain the harmony"). While working hard and studying hard are effective means to raise one’s social class in societies influenced by Confucian tradition, parents also support using these practices when their children face racism (e.g., “work harder so that you can prove them wrong”). Participating in the focus groups heightened the awareness of many parents regarding the significance of resisting AAR. Across different immigration generations, Chinese Canadian parents discuss the lack of resources that support discussions about race-related issues at home and advocate for developmentally appropriate and Asian-centered resources.

Conclusion:

Ma(i)cro analysis conceptualizes the interconnected and reciprocal processes between macro and micro levels in development. This study unpacks macro-level factors that underpin attitudes, values, and opinions that Chinese Canadian parents hold regarding AAR. Insights gained from the study help inform the creation of strategies to support Asian parents in combating AAR.