NCJ Number
87593
Journal
Phylon Volume: 42 Issue: 4 Dated: (1981) Pages: 356-368
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Two revealing, although inevitably partial, indices to the patterns of continuity and change among the Chinese-Americans are found in their state of health and increasing rate of crime, as reflected in U.S. Census Bureau and Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics.
Abstract
Since the adoption of a liberal and racially equal immigration law in 1965, spectacular changes have taken place within the Chinese population in the United States. First, the total number of Chinese nearly doubled from 237,292 in 1960 to 431,583 in 1970. Second, the recent Chinese immigrants have represented a very well-educated and highly skilled group. Death rate statistics indicate that the Chinese compare favorably with other ethnic groups in terms of general health conditions. However, the overall figures are somewhat misleading because they reflect to a considerable extent the strongly immigrant and therefore youthful character of the Chinese population in the United States; presumably, only relatively healthy people, particularly among those who are advanced in age, would consider migrating to the United States. That the health condition of the Chinese is much less pleasant than it appears becomes clear when one considers that the average life span for the Chinese immigrant is much shorter than for the general population. If the problem of health reflects a burden of the past, then the problem of crime represents more of a new ailment in changing times. Traditionally, the Chinese in the United States have been known to be the most law-abiding ethnic group in spite of all the hardships to which they have been subjected. However, during recent decades, a conspicuous change has occurred in both the nature and volume of crimes committed by the Chinese. Although the total volume of crimes committed by the Chinese compares favorably with those of other races, the proportion of serious crimes has grown in recent years. The crime rate trend reflects the waning role of the traditional Chinese family as an effective agent of social control and the increased frustrations experienced by those living in a congested urban environment. The article provides study data and 28 footnotes.