Chinese-American Workers: Past & Present


from Getting Together (circa 1972)

Section 4: Chinese Youth

For Chinese youth the problems of growing up in America are great. Those coming from overseas face language, cultural, and racial barriers. Though American born youth do not have a language problem and are more accustomed to American culture, racism still limits their possibilities for friendship, higher education, and better paying jobs.

Chinese young people must attend the public schools, where the educational system is very often inconsiderate of their cultural backgrounds, learning problems and interests. In these schools, they are usually "tracked" or trained for low-level clerical, service , or semi-skilled jobs in large American institutions and industries. In addition, many young Chinese begin to work part-time while they are still going to school, usually in small family businesses, or in restaurants or garment factories. For young men, the only alternative to this pre-determined future is to be drafted or to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services.

The following articles expose some of the varied problems facing young Chinese people in the years before they fully join the American work force and how these problems are deeply rooted in the American capitalist society. Although Chinese youths come from varied backgrounds, a common understanding of the problems of Chinese people in America and a willingness to work for change is slowly developing.

 

Section 4

Section 2

Section 3

 

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