The Acculturation of Foreign Spouses (Ⅱ)

In Taiwan, actually there are lots of Cross-strait marriages. Since the relationships are not instable between Taiwan and China, it makes the mainland spouses feel uncertainty of their identification. Also, the discrimination still exists in Taiwan society. These problems mainland spouses face are not easy to get rid off, what’s worse, it even affects their jobs, relationships, and their social commerce.

Actually, just like the foreign spouses, mainland spouses also have to face the difference of languages, but the main problem is the accent between Taiwan and China. People are sensitive with other’s speaking accent; therefore, it may be easy to tell one if he/she is from other countries. And here, if one woman is known that she is from China and marry to Taiwan’s husband, she may get the discrimination eyes from others. Stereotype is one of the reasons; many people may link mainland spouses with human smuggling syndicate, and those Chinese women come to Taiwan cheating for money. They are increasingly associated with prostitution and bogus marriage. The people watch this kind of news on TV and unfortunately the impression roots in their minds. Little by little, this stereotype causes the discrimination.

Once this discrimination has built, China spouses in Taiwan begin their hard days. It may be inconvenient when they are finding a job and communicating with others. What’s worse, it may obstruct them from learning new things. Hence, their social range is narrowed down. Fortunately, the government is helping them for getting a job and also teaching them Taiwanese. The most important part is to make them realize the Taiwan culture. Actually, many China spouses are working hard to get accustomed to Taiwan’s culture.

Although foreign marriage is a blissful memory in some people’s lives, it still generates some problems later, like domestic violence. Due to the barrier in the languages, it leads to some misunderstandings in foreign marriage. The husband and the wife have unfair standards in the family. The husband tends to charge everything, especially money, so the standard of the wife is lower than her husband. If the husband has hot temper and unfortunately is addicted to alcohol, he may have higher rate to commit domestic violence. Therefore, the foreign spouses should find law to shield themselves, otherwise, they become helpless.

Works cited:

Melody Lu, Chia Wen. “Politics of Cross-straits Marriages in Taiwan, 1992-2004.” London Taiwan Seminar. 24 January 2008. 19 June 2008. http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/taiwanProgramme/LondonTaiwanSeminarAbstract.htm
Bruyas, Dimitri. “Foreign Brides need more help: Foundations.” The China Post. 12 August 2007. 19 June 2008. http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2007/08/12/118019/Foreign-brides.htm
鄭瑞娟-江瑋芳-許舒佳-蕭欣怡-梁琬婷-賴慈怡-林淑蓉-林貴美-李家寧 “外籍新娘在台面面觀” No. 19 June 2008. http://tw.info.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Ftw.info.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3D%25E5%25A4%2596%25E7%25B1%258D%25E6%2596%25B0%25E5%25A8%2598%26pstart%3D1%26fr%3Dyfp-ss%26b%3D61&w=457&h=273&imgurl=anan1.webnow.biz%2Fchinawomen%2Fpaper%2Fa16-1.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fanan1.webnow.biz%2Fchinawomen%2Fpaper%2Fa16.htm&size=26.3kB&name=a16-1.jpg&p=%E5%A4%96%E7%B1%8D%E6%96%B0%E5%A8%98&type=jpeg&no=80&tt=693&oid=9311da2c11304856&ei=UTF-8

Written by Jane