Outmarriage by Asian Americans | Asian American Poll

OUTMARRIAGE BY ASIAN AMERICANS
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:11:04 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

On the whole are children produced from interracial marriages advantaged or disadvantaged?
Advantaged | 26%
Disadvantaged | 22%
Neither | 52%

Assuming you are an Asian American male, which best describes your marriage partner or your prospective/likely marriage partner?
Someone of my own nationality | 54%
Someone of another Asian nationality | 9%
Someone of a non-Asian race | 37%

Assuming you are an Asian American female, which best describes your marriage partner or your prospective/likely marriage partner?
Someone of my own nationality | 53%
Someone of another Asian nationality | 7%
Someone of a non-Asian race | 40%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]

can only guess how the child of an attractive Chinese man with an attractive Persian woman would look like? Must be some hottie.
waiting for it to happen

Yeah, it must be a hottie even if the couple happens to be damn ugly? What's with your fetish over Persian women? It seems your're the only one going around on this website touting Persian women. I doubt most us who are reading this have ever even met a Persian person.
If you're so into Persian women go find one yourself dude.
Anti dorks Friday, November 08, 2002 at 17:26:09 (PST) [205.188.208.171]

I imagine how the children of Asian men and Middle Eastern women look like? I have never seen one, even though I have seen the children of Asian-whites, Asian-blacks and Asian-Hispanics.

I can only guess how the child of an attractive Chinese man with an attractive Persian woman would look like? Must be some hottie.
waiting for it to happen Sunday, November 03, 2002 at 00:03:40 (PST) [64.130.235.33]

hey hey...

Just wanted to say that White-asian kids come out beautiful!!!!! I wish I was half white. haha
For example, Kristin Kreuk (Lana from Smallville) is half dutch and half white. She is beautiful. Mostly everyone I know thinks that half white half asian kids are beautiful. I've never seen a half mexican child though. But I bet she's beautiful. :)

I don't think there is anything wrong with interratial marriages. I may one day get married to a white guy, hispanic, any type of religion. All that matters is that you two love eachother.
jen Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 12:53:45 (PDT) [205.188.208.171]

Get Real or Sean,

I forgot to mention, that I don't deny that most Taiwanese are descendant from Southern Chinese (I don't want to be accused of looking down on those who are Chinese, I just chose to identify myself as Taiwanese-American), but that identity can take different forms in a rather short period of time. For example, the people of Southern China (Yueh)were not considered Chinese until they were assimilated by the Chinese. Others moved south intermixed with some people and became Vietnamese.

In America, in a generation or 2 or more, Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Taiwanese (yes), Japanese, African-Americans, whites, Latinos, may all mix and simply be Americans. I also see white Americans just idenitfy themselves as American (even if some may be predominately one ancestry such as Irish or Scottish or German or Italian). Identity is fluid.

Okay, I will try not to dwell on this topic for too long.
Taiwanese-American Friday, September 27, 2002 at 23:45:51 (PDT) [4.65.111.70]

Get Real [68.14.94.53]

I am a Taiwanese-American and chose to identify myself as only as Taiwanese-American. I support the right for a person the chose how one wants to identify themselves. Of course, there will be people who may used Taiwanese and Chinese identity interchangeably. While others will stick with just one.

Jordianians, Syrians, etc. may be also Arabs. But, then, there are Germans and Austrians, even though both speak German. Belgians and French. (I see your point, but will also not be afraid to say that I disagree with your analogies-too many holes in them).

Besides, the OP was writing how more and more people are intermixing.

Can we stay on topic??
Taiwanese-American Friday, September 27, 2002 at 23:19:12 (PDT) [4.65.111.70]

Jeff,

I agree that forcing one's kids to follow customs is not appropriate parenting. I cannot say that I agree with excessively traditional parents because it can hinder the development of a child as an independent child. I would teach and guide my children through kinder and effective methods --such as tender love and encouragement-- but would also allow them to explore for themselves other perspectives. I think Jeff that you are doing your best and by worrying about your niece's growth (as well as other races in general) shows that you are a compassionate person. In this world, everything is complex and sometimes our hopes and desires are not fulfilled or instead, are crushed completely. The lack of understanding of one's culture and the emergence of ignorance which can lead to an individual frowning upon his/her own culture, can occur if one continues to live in this nation, generation after generation. These are one of the few things that Non-Whites face when they choose to live here (or are stuck here for financial reasons etc.) I appreciate your concern Jeff for your niece but just play a special and active role in her life and this would help improve her attitudes about herself and other people. It is not possible to eliminate all negative attitudes but it "is" possible to lessen their affects. I cannot tell you how to approach the situation Jeff; it is up to you and family. Please do not dwell on this issue for long. I understand how bothersome it can be but do your best as an uncle and have hope.

Elpi Friday, September 27, 2002 at 21:59:48 (PDT) [63.93.71.61]

Elpi,

I know, but it is not so much the lost of traditional culture that bothers me.

You are Mexican, so you know that family and morality is important in your culture as well.

American values are so self-centered around the individual. They are left to their own to explore and fend for their own.

I am not going to force or spoon feed the traditional values and culture to my future kids, but it is a shame if they lose touch with such powerful and good guidance. It should help them see this world better.

I don't want to see them reject and look down on their own people in the future. Because it is in essence looking down upon one's own self.

Latino people in the suburbs face these same issues as young Asian Americans do.
Jeff Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 17:59:51 (PDT) [64.130.235.33]

To "This We're All Chinese Crap Is Getting Old Also!!!!"

Try to answer with sentences that make sense. You just made my point for me. Don't believe me? Read your statement again. I wasn't the one who brought up all those inter-cultural BS. Yes, as if non-Asians care...as if other Asians can tell the difference.

Why not let him identify himself as Taipeiness (you know... the capital of the island nation).

Be consistent? How about this: when that guy Wen Ho Lee was doing good in his labratory, he was a Taiwanese American. His wife even was an FBI informant to keep an eye on the Chinese scientists that worked there. When he was getting lynched high tech style by the US govt., well...all the sudden he was a Chinese American, even an Asian American...taking in donations from Chinese Americans for his defense and grabbing for support from the political pressure and protests of Chinese Americans and other Asians. Please...spare me your choppy writing.
Get Real Monday, September 23, 2002 at 11:43:59 (PDT) [68.14.94.53]

Hey Jeff

I think it is natural for you to feel that way, given that you have a strong bond with your heritage and would not want your niece to lose that part of her identity. As a Mexican-American male, I am very embracing of the arts, heritage, and language of my culture. I have felt the same way of my nephew when my sister married an Americanized Cuban. (He has little understanding of his own roots and cannot speak the Spanish language. My sister is no less American than he but I lament that their child will lack understanding and respect for his cultures) Perhaps Jeff by encouraging your brother and sister-in-law to administer some Asian values CAN be helpful but if they are to live in an American society, it is almost impossible to spare the kids from Anglo-Saxon culture and attitudes. By being an uncle, you and your niece can attend cultural events and teach her some language skills (but do not force her, just a phrase here and there every once in a while); at least she would still recognize her upbringing instead of growing up without being exposed to it at all.... However, I do not believe you can ever change the parents. Take role in your part as an uncle as much as you can but let the parents decide, or else it would lead to bitter sentiment between you and the parents. I respect your efforts Jeff but that is all you can do and when the child develops into a woman, SHE would have to decide on her identity and her perceptions of it. Do what you think is best for your own kids (or future kids) and in this small gesture, we will not totally surrender to the white majority. Tradition is beautiful but parenting, even more so.
Elpi arnoldsemail@juno.com Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 18:35:32 (PDT) [199.182.54.236]

I really worry for my 12 year old niece. She is half-Chinese and half-Mexican. Her father is my only brother. I thought it would be easier for him to pass on some Chinese culture to the kids because Mexican is just another minority like we Chinese are. BUT IT'S WRONG!!!

I love my little niece, Jasmin with all my heart. I bought her a lot of gifts and have been to all her birthday parties and school events whenever they invite me.

Now, my niece talks like a white girl. I don't like that. I don't want her to be like the other Asian-American and hapa girls who completely sold out to assimilate.

Jasmin is a beautiful little girl. She is Chinese and Mexican, not white.

I got to speak to my brother and sister-in-law before it is too late.

Funny thing is that I am also seeing my sister-in-law's own sister. I thought Mexican women are our natural allies in the face of white supremacy and assimilation.

I got a lot of demons inside of me to fight off. I don't know who is right or wrong in this matter?

I don't want to damage relations with my brother and Jasmin, but I don't want to see all Asians go down the drain of total acceptance and surrender to the white man's world.
Jeff Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 00:57:47 (PDT) [64.130.235.33]

To this Taiwanese thang is is getting old:

To be consistent with your comments- no damn hick red neck would even consider interAsian marriages as being intercultural. You want to talk about "Oh wait, he's Taiwanese and not Chinese, wait a minute...this ain't a chink." Want to take it even one step further? How about this: a redneck won't give a s***- he will see you as a [racial slurs].
If one wants to identify himself as Taiwanese, let him be.

This We're All Chinese Crap Is Getting Old Also!!!! Saturday, September 21, 2002 at 00:55:00 (PDT) [4.65.111.70]

"I am also seeing more inter-Asian marriages such as Chinese-Koreans, Taiwanese-Korean, Korean-Vietnamese, Chinese-Vietnamese, Taiwanese-Cambodian, Taiwanese-Japanese etc."

I think you should save some space and just say Chinese instead of Chinese/Taiwanese. Honestly, no one outside of the Taiwanese community really cares about the difference or even see the difference at all. In terms of talking politics, observe those differences. But this is about ethnicity, and even politically correct people will be pickin their brains to make sure they get the differences right. It's like mentioning Morrocan Americans and Algerian Ameircans instead of just saying Arab Americans. I 've noticed that you didn't include Chinese-Taiwanese marriages as cross-cultural marriages, for good reason. If you're gonna make the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese, then be consistent and classify Chi/Tai marriages as intercultural. Really, no one outside of the Chinese/Taiwanese community really cares about the linguistic/cultural/genetic differences --all of which have to be stretched to make out a Taiwanese ethnic group. To a SE Asian on one side, and the Jap/Kor on the other,and especially non-Asians, you're still Chinese. No one's gonna stop and say when they're beatin you down, "Oh wait, he's Taiwanese and not Chinese, wait a minute...this ain't a chink."
this Taiwanese thang is is getting old Friday, September 20, 2002 at 12:18:29 (PDT)

In America, you have to accept the fact that more and more Asian-American will marry outside their ethnicity.

I am a 2nd generation Taiwanese-American (T-A). I've been to 5 weddings this year. One is my cousin who married a German man. Another is another 2nd generation T-A who married an English person. I just got back from my older brother's wedding and he married an Italian-Polish-American. A friend who is T-A married a Chinese-Filipino-Spanish man. One T-A childhood friend married a Chinese-Salvadoran woman. I just see a lot more mixed marriages around my circle- it is more common with 2nd, 3rd generation Asian-Americans and more will come.

I am also seeing more inter-Asian marriages such as Chinese-Koreans, Taiwanese-Korean, Korean-Vietnamese, Chinese-Vietnamese, Taiwanese-Cambodian, Taiwanese-Japanese etc.
We Will Be More Mixed In America Thursday, September 05, 2002 at 10:29:30 (PDT)

hannybunbun,

I do agree with you that children adopted within his or her own race are not necessarily provided a good home.

In my experience, many White teachers or their friends adopt Asian children. I have seen that through 2nd grade to the end of my high school years. Most of these children by the way are very happy. The same thing can happen when an Asian woman adopts a Caucasian child. It is how you love someone that makes you a good parent.
Ray Monday, August 26, 2002 at 07:23:03 (PDT)

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