Asian-American Interracial Marriage

Abstract

This paper is based on a study of out-marriages of 3 Asian-American groups--Chinese Japanese and Koreans in Los Angeles county and in Hawaii in terms of their rates of out-marriage; changes if any over a period; and important differences in these groups and changing trends in these differences over a period. The results indicate that in 1979 in Los Angeles Japanese out-marriage was the highest (60.6%) followed by the Chinese (41.2%) and the Korean (27.6%). The figures were reversed for Hawaii in 1980 with the Korean rates of out-marriage being the highest (83%) followed by the Chinese (76%) then the Japanese (59%). Moreover females of all 3 groups outmarried at a higher rate than the males. A socio-psychological model based on the ethnic group and its interaction with the dominant community was developed. It included variables such as historical factors the family the community personal factors and the receptivity of the dominant community. Receptivity variables included opportunities in the educational occupational and social spheres and legal barriers. Changes in the interaction between the ethnic and the dominant communities are mainly in terms of duration of stay in the United States. Generation is the primary measure of change. All 3 Asian groups were victims of racial discrimination shaped by different historical circumstances. Early Chinese immigration involved young males with a sojourners orientation. Family life was delayed. The Japanese were also young males with American-born children and a normal progression of generations. Lastly Korean immigration was small and the Japanese takeover of their land limited the migration of Koreans until well after World War II.