6 - Mixed-ethnic Children Raised by Single Thai Mothers in Japan: A Choice of Ethnic Identity

Summary

INTRODUCTION

This chapter investigates whether existing studies of the identity of mixed-ethnic children are adaptable to studies of such children in Japan, a country which was formerly predominantly mono-ethnic where the mainstream ethnic group is non-white. While copious literature can be found concerning the identity of mixed-ethnic children, these studies have tended to draw from empirical data from white-dominated countries such as the United Kingdom or United States (Bratter 2007, p. 826; Eytan et al. 2007, p. 2; Patel 2009, p. 122). Thus, much of the literature concerns whitenessand its relation to mixed-ethnic populations, and empirical data on mixed-ethnic children from entirely or predominantly non-white societies remain scarce (Bratter 2007, p. 825). In this study, the identity of mixed-ethnic children will be examined on the basis of empirical data gathered in Japan. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of how existing research frameworks might be adaptable to cases of diverse mixed-ethnic populations in Asia.

This study examines the following two issues relating to mixed-ethnic children in Japan: (1) whether mixed-ethnic children show a tendency to assimilate into the perceived mainstream and (2) whether mixedethnic children illustrate a multi-ethnic identity. The study analyses case studies of mixed-ethnic children in the target area of Nagoya City and its surroundings and pays particular attention to cases of children raised by single Thai mothers. First, I will provide an overview of current demographic shifts in Japan pertaining to the number of mixed-ethnic children and the rates of divorce among inter-ethnic couples. Second, I will analyse the choice of ethnic identity considered by mixed-ethnic children; essentially, whether to assimilate into the mainstream or not. Third, the multi-ethnic identityof mixed-ethnic children will be analysed. Finally, the mechanism that determines multi-ethnic identitywill be examined through some case studies of mixed-ethnic children raised by single Thai mothers.

A Sociological Perspective on the Identity of Mixed-Ethnic Children

The concept of race as developed in both scientific and cultural discourses is a social product linked to notions of hierarchy within human beings (Patel 2009, pp. 1–2). The same can be said of the concept of ethnicity. Previous studies have indicated that the boundaries and identities of race and ethnicity are contextual and fluid (Bhugra 2004, p. 85; Wood 2009, p. 437).