心为何属:美国老年华人群体身份认同研究——基于美国密西根州老年华人群体的人类学考察

“Who Am I”:A Study of the Identity of Chinese Elders in the U.S.:An Anthropological Study of Chinese Elders in Michigan

身份认同是个难以界定的复杂问题,基于前人的相关研究经验,可以通过居住区域、社会交往、生活方式以及国家认同、文化认同、族群归属等外在行为和心理认同两方面对美国老年华人群体身份认同进行界定。实地调研发现,与中青年华人群体不同,美国老年华人的居住区域、社会交往以及生活方式等方面有着自身的特点,这些显现于外的特征体现了老年华人群体的身份认同,之所以更喜欢居住于华人社区、更倾向于与华人交往、更多地保留了国内生活习惯,这与老年华人群体隐藏于内的国家认同、文化认同和归属意识有着直接的关系。老年华人群体对中华民族和中华文化的高度认同,有利于传承和发扬中华传统文化,加强海外华人群体的中华民族身份认同。

Identity is a complex issue which is difficult to define.Based on previous research experience,this study attempts to analyze the identity of Chinese elders in the United States in terms of behavioral and psychological identity.Based on existing studies and field research,we specifically look at their place of residence,social interaction,lifestyle,national identity,cultural identity and ethnic group identity.Evidence captured from field work shows that Chinese elders have their own characteristics in terms of living area,social interaction and lifestyle,which are different from those of young and middle-aged Chinese in the U.S.These external characteristics reveal the identity of Chinese elders in field work.We have also found that Chinese elders prefer to live in Chinese communities,are inclined to communicate with fellow Chinese,and retain their original living habits,driven by their national identity,cultural identity and ethnic group identity.Chinese elders’high recognition of the Chinese nation and Chinese culture is conducive to inheriting and carrying forward traditional Chinese culture and strengthening the identity of the Chinese nation among overseas Chinese groups.