Community Resources for Taiwanese American Parents & Families

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Originally compiled in August 2024  by Leona Chen for the Taiwanese American Foundation Parents Weekend program

Running updates at: bit.ly/taf-parents

  • Intergenerational Communication/Third Culture Parenting
  • Taiwanese American identity formation
  • Multilingual Education Resources (Chinese/Mandarin & Taiwanese Taigi)

 

Intergenerational Communication/Third Culture Parenting

[中/EN] This ABC Life/ ABC養成記 (Blog 部落格) – thisabclife.com

30歲ABC的反思：移民家長除了升學要注意什麽
Reflections of a Late-20s ABC: What I Would Tell My Immigrant Parents Now

 

「我並不是說升學不重要——但是我們往往會投入更多的時間、精力和金錢在這些 “回報可見”的方面，而忽視了“無形”但更直接影響孩子未來人生的方面（如家庭關係、團體歸屬感和身份認同）。從長期來看，我在三十多歲的ABC同齡人中更常見的問題不是學歷和事業成就如何，反而是與原生家庭關係的疏遠和自我身份認同的困惑。」

 

“Education is crucial, but it is also important to consider how much time, energy, and money you invest in this “visible” aspect your your child’s upbringing versus how much you invest in the “invisible” but much more at-risk aspects of your child’s life, such as family relationships, community and belonging, and identity. In the long term, what I see far more often among my 30-year-old ABC peers is not a lack of education and achievement, but extremely strained relationships with family and identity.”

 

[EN] The Intergenerational Trauma of Taiwanese Americans: A Talk with Therapist Evon Chiu

The Intergenerational Trauma of Taiwanese Americans (YouTube, New Bloom) 

This talk focused on the structural issues faced by Taiwanese Americans, as well as their shared experiences, particularly how issues in Taiwanese history can still impact the second and third generation diaspora. 

 

[EN] The Silence of Taiwanese American Fathers and Son’s Struggles: A Talk with Therapist Evon Chiu

The Silence of Taiwanese American Fathers and Son’s Struggles: A Talk (YouTube, New Bloom)

There are numerous assumptions and misunderstandings surrounding the relationship style and emotional world of Taiwanese men. In this particular session tailored for men, we aim to dispel these misconceptions by using real-life examples to explore their experiences within therapy:

  • The historical context of male chauvinism, polygamous families, first-born son privilege and stress, as well as the progression of feminism in modern Taiwanese society.
  • The upbringing of Taiwanese American fathers and its potential impact on intimate and father-and-son relationships.
  • The experiences of growing up in the US as a son in an immigrant family.
  • The struggles that Taiwanese American men may face in therapy.

 

[EN] The Historical and Social Context of Taiwanese Parents’ Mental Health Stigma: A Talk with Therapist Evon Chiu

The Historical and Social Context of Taiwanese Parents’ Mental Health Stigma (YouTube New Bloom)

This talk draws from extensive dialogues conducted by a family therapist with first and second generation Taiwanese American immigrants. We will delve into the social and historical context of parents who grew up in Taiwan during the 1950s and 1960s, exploring how intergenerational trauma shapes their parenting values and behaviors. 

Key points include:

  • Examining the cultural and educational influences on identity, self-worth, and the stigma surrounding mental health.
  • Exploring the phenomenon of emotional dysregulation and its impact on communication within families.
  • Understanding the combined effects of trauma from one’s family of origin and the stress of immigration.

 

Taiwanese American Identity Formation

[EN] TaiwaneseAmerican.org / Instagram: @taiwaneseam_org

Many former and current TAF staff (and board members) were or are still an active part of the TaiwaneseAmerican.org volunteer staff. 

Founded in 2006, our mission is to connect, inform and promote the people, events and organizations that represent the next generation of the Taiwanese American community. Our vision is to create an allied community for Americans of Taiwanese heritage by intersecting the diverse paths and passions of all our people. Though all of us have varying experiences and differing viewpoints we believe in the common ground that brings us together. 

Here at TaiwaneseAmerican.org, our staff believes in the strength that comes from community. We know that there is value in expressing a collective identity. But most important of all, we believe in individual awesomeness. We do what we can to highlight the unique experiences of Taiwanese Americans knowing that we are also preserving and archiving an evolving history and legacy.

The projects and initiatives we work on include: (1) the annual Betty L. Yu and Jin C. Yu Creative Writing Prizes, created by TAF alumni and National Book Award recipient Charles Yu to encourage literary work among Taiwanese American students and adults; (2) the Made by Taiwanese American Gift Guide, an annual gift guide highlighting Taiwanese American small businesses, brands, and creators; and (3) commissioned interviews, feature articles, and other creative work by Taiwanese Americans, for Taiwanese Americans.

 

[EN] Hearts in Taiwan (Podcast)

As kids of immigrants from Taiwan, our Asian identity started with beef noodle soup and ended with Chinese school. Now that we’re adults, we’ve found that we still have a lot to learn about Taiwan’s history and its unique culture. Cousins Annie Wang and Angela Yu share their journey as they discover their family’s heritage and celebrate Taiwanese culture in the context of the Asian American experience.

We especially recommend the following episodes:

    • What does it mean to be Taiwanese? Angela and Annie share their journeys exploring their identities with respect to Taiwan, and reflect on definitions contributed by a wide variety of Taiwanese individuals in America and Taiwan.
  • Raising the next generation As English-speaking parents living outside our heritage country, we discuss how we go about passing our culture on to our kids. From seeking out Mandarin Immersion schools and caregivers, cultivating our kids’ palates to appreciate Taiwanese food, and planning to visit Taiwan regularly for family vacations (when we can again!), we share what’s worked and what hasn’t across our kids ranging from age 4 to 12. 
  • Mom, are we Taiwanese? Annie and Angela decode the distinction among people whose families come from Taiwan: who identifies as Chinese and who identifies as Taiwanese, and why. Our journey begins when we combine Wikipedia research with questions we’ve never asked our moms until now.

 

[EN} Taiwanese American Bookshop

https://bookshop.org/shop/taiwaneseam_org

Representation in literature can be powerful at every age and stage of life. As Taiwanese American illustrator-author Grace Lin and many other advocates of diverse literature have noted, the “windows and mirrors” of books and other media matter: “windows [plant] the seed of empathy and mirrors plant the seed of self-worth. You need both to be a functional, helpful, happy human being.” 

We are delighted to present this growing collection of “windows and mirrors” in Taiwanese American literature (books about Taiwan or by diasporic Taiwanese authors). This bookshop supports TaiwaneseAmerican.org.

PD Leona’s Recommended Literature (Seminal Taiwanese American Reading):

    • Green Island by Shawna Yang Ryan (Historical Fiction, General Adult) – A stunning, lyrical novel that tells “the story of how the Tsais, a Taiwanese family, survive the ‘February 28 Incident’ of 1947 and precariously navigate the decades that follow.”
    • Island X: Taiwanese Student Migrants, Campus Spies, and Cold War Activism by Wendy Cheng (Academic, Asian American Studies) – Island X delves into the compelling political lives of Taiwanese migrants who came to the United States as students from the 1960s through the 1980s. Often depicted as compliant model minorities, many were in fact deeply political, shaped by Taiwan’s colonial history and influenced by the global social movements of their times. As activists, they fought to make Taiwanese people visible as subjects of injustice and deserving of self-determination.
    • Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation (a Cookbook) by Clarissa Wei and Ivy Chen (Cookbook) – Taipei-based food journalist Clarissa Wei presents Made in Taiwan, a cookbook that celebrates the island nation’s unique culinary identity–despite a refusal by the Chinese government to recognize its sovereignty. The expansive book contains deeply researched essays and more than 100 recipes inspired by the people who live in Taiwan today. For generations, Taiwanese cuisine has been miscategorized under the broad umbrella term of Chinese food. Backed with historical evidence and interviews, Wei makes a case for why Taiwanese food should get its own spotlight. 
  • Unhappy Camper by Lily Lamotte (Middle Grade) – Would you rather blend in or stand out? Claire and Michelle used to be best friends, but now the two sisters couldn’t be more different. Michelle will do anything to fit in, even if it means denying her Taiwanese culture, whereas Claire is proud of who she is. So much so that she decides to become a junior counselor at a Taiwanese American summer camp. Sensing a rift between the two, their parents decide to send them both off to camp, much to Michelle’s dismay. As summer continues, both sisters learn more about their culture and each other. But Michelle must eventually decide to either embrace her culture and family or assimilate into the popular group at school. Which will she choose?
  • The Boy from Clearwater (Series) by Pei-Yun Yu (Author) and Jian-Xin Zhou (Illustrator) (YA, Graphic Novel, Translated Taiwanese Literature) An incredible true story in graphic novel form that lays bare the tortured and triumphant history of Taiwan, an island claimed and fought over by many countries, through the life story of a man who lived through its most turbulent times.
  • Lily Xiao Speaks Out by Nicole Chen (Middle Grade) – From the author of It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li! comes an empowering, heartfelt middle grade novel about a grunge-loving Taiwanese American tween who must use her voice to fight for ESL support at her school.

 

English-language Taiwanese history or news, commentary, and/or analysis

[EN] TaiwanPlus (News, Analysis, Entertainment Programming)

TaiwanPlus is a public media company based in Taipei. Launched on August 30, 2021, it offers live streaming and an international television channel, delivering a variety of content, including news, lifestyle features, technology, travel shows, entertainment programming, cultural insights, food content, and documentaries. 

We especially recommend streaming the following:

  • What’s in a Name? A Chinese Taipei Story – Full Documentary The name “Chinese Taipei” is a struggle for political power that dictates an athlete’s right to play as much as it denies sports fans and children around the world an opportunity to connect with Taiwan. Take a look behind the name to explore Taiwanese athletes’ tireless efforts to show themselves to the world.
  • Seqalu: Formosa 1867 A docudrama about the early days of western influence in Taiwan. Set in 1867 following the shipwreck of The Rover, this TV series will explore how William Pickering and Dr. Patrick Manson helped bridge the gap between American Consul and the aboriginal chieftains of southern Taiwan tribes in order to discover what happened to the survivors of the wreck.

 

[EN] Formosa Files (Podcast, History)

Formosa Files (which began broadcasting in September 2021) is the only podcast in the world (that we are aware of) that tells the history of Taiwan (from roughly 1600 C.E. – to around 2000 C.E.) via a storytelling format in a non-chronological order, with the goal of making the stories interesting, accessible to even those with limited knowledge about Taiwan, and… fun! The team of Ross and Smith strive to provide history as history — with as little slant or personal bias as possible. 

 

[EN] Ketagalan Media (News, Analysis) 

Ketagalan Media is the gateway that informs, inspires, and facilitates the movement of ideas and trends between Taiwan, Asia and the rest of the world.

Ketagalan Media started off as a podcast project to bring more Taiwan news and commentary to the English speaking audience. We believe that there is more room for quality coverage of Taiwan in English, and that news on Taiwan and Asia can feature more historical, ideological and international context. We are taking that same vision for connecting the dots between news stories forward in all of our upcoming offerings.

 

[EN] New Bloom Media (News, Analysis, Creative Content)

New Bloom is an online magazine featuring radical perspectives on Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific. New Bloom was founded by a group of students and activists after the 2014 Sunflower Movement in Taiwan. Check out The Daybreak Project, their excellent interactive encyclopedia and oral history archive of the 2014 Sunflower Movement

 

[中/EN] A Broad and Ample Road: A Substack Newsletter by Albert Wang & Michelle Kuo (Analysis, Creative Content)

Based in Taiwan, this newsletter is “about” history, politics, justice, and law. More broadly, though, we’re interested in forms of resistance—including the playful and soulful kinds. Their ambition is to create a Mandarin-language section that serves as the Village Voice of Taipei, highlighting, empowering, and disseminating local and marginalized voices in Taiwan. Their hope is to create a genuinely cross-pollinating community, bridging local and diasporic peoples.

 

Multilingual Education Resources (Chinese/Mandarin & Taiwanese Taigi)

 

[中] This ABC Life/ ABC養成記 (Blog 部落格) – thisabclife.com

學中文對ABC孩子有幫助嗎?

許多家長忽略了不會說中文對親子關係和孩子身份認同的長期影響。我所認識的所有成年ABC都感覺很遺憾自己不能更好地說中文。這種遺憾反映了中文在他們生活中的重要性，其實已經超越了語言本身的實用性。

 

Taiwan School of Taiwanese American Center of Northern California

Taiwan School offers in-person enrichment classes to youth and kids so they can learn their immigrant parents’ native languages (Taiwanese or Mandarin), as well as virtual (online) courses for adults, from Beginner Taiwanese (Taigi) to Taigi Reading Club to Taiwanese History Book Club (hosted in Mandarin)

 

Real You Mandarin

Real You Mandarin is an online language course created by Taiwanese American and Taiwanese co-founders Angela Lin and Jane Liu. The modules are designed for American-born Mandarin speakers who may have a strong fundamental base but lack the vocabulary (and confidence!) to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations. Topics discussed in “Real You Mandarin” include Filial Piety vs. Individual Freedom, Mental Health, frequently encountered popular slang, politics & current affairs, pop culture, and dating & relationships.

Use code taiwaneseamerican10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase. (Disclaimer: no commissions are received from your purchase)

Read their feature on TaiwaneseAmerican.org here: https://www.taiwaneseamerican.org/2024/06/real-you-mandarin/

 

Resources for Learning Taiwanese as an English Speaker

Compiled by Catherine Chou; read more about her experience here on A Broad and Ample Road.

 

[For parents of younger children]

 

Other Community-Based Resources

Taiwanese Naturalization Process for Taiwanese Nationals Born Overseas Who Are Over 20 Years of Age

An English-language, crowdsourced resource on the Taiwanese naturalization process. Includes details on healthcare and work permits.

 

Recommended Resources from the 2024 Program Speakers

 

SPROUTS

 

JUNIORS (CYNTHIA CHENG)

You can find my artwork at cynthiaycheng.com, and my latest graphic middle grade graphic novels in bookstores: BABY-SITTER’S CLUB: MARY ANNE’S BAD LUCK MYSTERY and BECOMING WHO WE ARE: REAL STORIES ABOUT GROWING UP TRANS. 

Graphic novels and comics are a great way to encourage reading and visual literacy with young readers. Some graphic novel series I would recommend for Juniors are:

  • BABY-SITTERS CLUB series by Ann M. Martin and various adapters: (My personal bias as I’ve worked on this series.) A group of middle school friends start a baby-sitting club in their neighborhood, and navigate friendship, running a club, supporting the younger children they baby-sit, extracurricular commitments, and school. An expansive slice of life series that your young reader will get hooked on!
  • DUNGEON CLUB series by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma: School life mixes with high fantasy adventure as Jess and her best friend Olivia start up a Dungeons & Dragons club in middle school. Jess has to learn how to open up her heart as new people enter their campaign. The second book in the series centers on Olivia, who struggles to balance their club with her academics as she manages her family’s high expectations.
  • INVISIBLE by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein: Five very different students are forced to volunteer together at the school cafeteria— the only thing they have in common is their varied fluencies with the Spanish language. Yet, they overcome their differences once they come across a local mother and daughter who are in need and they take the lead to help her, despite the potential consequences. 
  • FREESTYLE by Gale Galligan: While preparing for the last major dance competition before they graduate from eighth grade and go to separate high schools in NYC, Cory must balance the expectations of his parents, school, crew and his new friend as pressure mounts from all sides.
  • MEASURING UP by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu: Having just moved to Seattle from Taiwan, twelve-year-old Cici enters a cooking competition to win the chance to see her grandmother again, but she only knows how to cook Taiwanese food.
  • UNHAPPY CAMPER by Lily LaMotte and Ann Xu: Yet another graphic novel by this creator pair, this time about two  young Taiwanese American sisters, who attend a Taiwanese American summer camp! Although I have yet to personally read this book, maybe you and your child can read it together and compare the experience in this book with TAF. 

These series range in their emphasis on leadership, though more importantly they delve into the social complexities that the kids of Juniors age are starting to navigate in school. It would be a very meaningful experience for parents to read these (or any) books with their kids and discuss and enjoy them together.

 

JUNIOR HIGH (KOJI SHIRAKI)

Racing to Justice by john a. Powell

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

Suspended Apocalypse by Dylan Rodriguez

Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau

 

YOUTH (BAILEY WONG)

Recommended in order of my perception of the book’s ability to improve you/your family’s quality of life.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, 3rd Ed by Grenny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler, and Gregory, 2022

  • As someone who’s always had difficulty with effective confrontation and engaging others when I am upset with them, this book has helped me better understand and prepare for the “crucial conversations” of my life. 

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg, 2024

  • I thought this was a wonderful exploration of communication and what makes the best “supercommunicators” so effective at establishing meaningful connections with others. 

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier, 2016

  • Sometimes (frequently?) the most effective advice is not an answer but a precise question, or series of very good questions. Instead of taking our understanding for granted, Stanier encourages us to ask better questions to improve how we work with and lead others. 

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2005

  • A gripping and unusual portrait of Lincoln, his path to the presidency, and what made him the most consequential figure of the 19th century. In this biography, Goodwin contextualizes Lincoln through the lens of his political rivals – men who would eventually serve on Lincoln’s cabinet and assemble the team that would save the Union, win the Civil War, and pass the 13th amendment. This book has transformed not only my view of the man but also my understanding of the indispensable value of emotional intelligence and communication skills  in leadership. 

Master Of The Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert Caro, 2002

  • A stunning history of American democracy, the U.S. Senate as an institution, and Lyndon B. Johnson’s political genius. In order to make progress, leadership must sometimes reconcile the irreconcilable and accomplish the impossible. In Johnson’s time in the Senate, that impossible was convincing an institution so firmly in control of anti-civil rights southerners to pass the first civil rights legislation since 1875. 

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert Caro, 1974

  • While not about leadership per se, there is perhaps no better text to understand the creation and use of power and the city and state of New York than The Power Broker. Even fifty years after its original publication, it remains a fascinating and quintessential study of politics, power, bureaucracy, and what it means to get something done in American democracy.  

Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2018

  • I’d recommend this to anyone interested in an abridged history of some of the nation’s most consequential presidents. Goodwin offers thoughtful glimpses into the lives and careers of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson, to include their early lives and path to power, the setbacks and struggles which defined them as men and leaders, and the leadership exemplified in some of their most consequential decisions. 

 

  1. JESSICA CHENFENG

Where I Belong, Lee & Yoon, 2024

  • A helpful book on understanding Asian American identity and trauma. Good for both parents to understand self and for understanding children.

Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans, Wang, 2022

  • Relevant content for children of immigrants to understand how mental health is affected by migration and the Asian American context.

Good Inside: Becoming the Parent You Want to Be, Kennedy, 2022

  • An excellent must-read parenting book that empowers parents to parent ourselves and our children to be the best version of who we are.

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