AAS-in-Asia, Seoul

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Becoming “new immigrants” - The Case of Vietnamese Marriage Migrants in Taiwan

Sun, June 25, 9:00 to 10:50am, Hyundai Motor Hall, Floor: B2 Level, B206

Abstract

Since the 1970s, while Taiwan experienced rapid industrialization, a significant number of marriage migrants from China and Southeast Asia migrated to the island nation for an array of complex demographic, economic and cultural reasons. “Foreign brides” refer to marriage migrants who are married to Taiwanese men through marriage brokers. However, this paper uses the term “new immigrants” instead of “foreign brides” as it is a self-identified, less derogatory term. A limited discursive analysis of assimilation strategies, socialization and transnational practices employed by Vietnamese immigrant population in Taiwan exists. Currently heated policy debates surrounding mixed-ethnic families in general, and assimilation of children of Vietnamese immigrants in particular, merit further study. Accordingly, this study analyzes and delineates the underlying assimilation messages that are presented by Vietnamese new immigrants at home, public settings, religious institutions and in support or dismissal of various media outlets. Ethnographic observations and in-depth interviews of 32 participants from various cities including Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Tainan, and Kaoshiung are presented. The theoretical analysis is largely informed by the established analytical focus in the existing socialization literature and assimilation literature. The paper’s central attention is given to assimilation logic, agency, and to the overall messages designed to encourage or prevent local-influenced transformation in the new immigrants’ union with their Taiwanese local spouses. The findings suggest that new immigrant women's assimilation strategies, transnational practices and agency are strongly influenced by interaction between their social class, family-in-law, and the changing political economy of Taiwan in relation to Vietnam.

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