The Taiwanese Americans

Despite the relatively short history of the Taiwanese in the United States, they have been a significant presence in America. Since 1965, immigration law changes have led to a dramatic increase in the Asian population in the United States. Taiwanese Americans, the immigrants from Taiwan and their descendants, are a prominent group in this increasing Asian population. This is the first book-length study about the Taiwanese American community in the United States. While most articles have discussed the economic impact of their immigration, this study focuses on their community organization, information networks, religious practices, cultural observances, and the growing second generation. Finally, it concludes with an assessment of the contributions of Taiwanese Americans to U.S. society. Biographical sketches of noted Taiwanese Americans complete the text.

The identity of the Taiwanese American community is complex and evolving, because it is partly determined by the politics between Taiwan and China. As relations between Taiwan and China change, so will the identity of Taiwanese Americans. Other variables affecting their identity include the relations between mainlanders and native Taiwanese in Taiwan, political liberalization within Taiwan, the role of U.S. policy towards Taiwan and China, and the nurturing of a Taiwanese consciousness. An increasingly important variable is the orientation of the second generation, American-born Taiwanese Americans. They have the options of being simultaneously Taiwanese American, Chinese American, Asian American and American. Taiwanese Americans are helping to reinvent America by transforming the economic and cultural landscape of the U.S. as have previous waves of immigrants.

Author: Franklin Ng
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 05/26/1998
Pages: 176
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.44d
ISBN: 9780313297625

Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 11/01/1998 pg. 141
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2000 pg. 135
Rec Ref Bks for Small/Med Libr 01/01/2000 pg. 70

About the Author

FRANKLIN NG is Professor of Anthropology at California State University, Fresno. He is the former editor of the Journal of American-East Asian Relations and is also on the editorial board of the Amerasia Journal and the Journal of American Ethnic History.