Introduction:

The investigation of gender and sexuality perspectives among Chinese overseas students is a story unfolding against the backdrop of historical norms, societal progress, and personal experiences. In light of the insightful research conducted by Machiko Matsui, I was motivated to draw upon my personal experiences and seek the diverse voices of my friends, each originated from a different family background, in order to weave a more complex understanding.

 

Discovering Matsui’s Insights:

Investigating the experiences of Chinese international students regarding gender and sexuality, I chanced upon Matsui’s illuminating research, “Gender Role Perceptions of Japanese and Chinese Female Students in American Universities“. He unveiled the lives of Chinese female international students of the 1990s through dozens of interviews. Matsui observed that society and parental expectations had a considerable impact on these students, who are both inspired by their urban intellectual backgrounds and aspirations shaped by professional mothers while navigating a world in which traditional gender roles remained prominent. As a result, the students experienced an oscillation between their ingrained cultural norms and the new perspectives they encountered through their family and in the U.S. He also observed an increase in gender equality in China over the past two decades. Matsui’s insights served as a mirror and a window – reflecting both familiar and unexplored terrains of understanding in comparison to my story.

 

A Personal Journey:

If you don’t want to have babies, it’s ok. If you don’t want to get married, it’s ok. That’s your choice.

I grew up in Beijing, surrounded by the skyscrapers and historic alleyways, where the modern and the traditional coexisted. Like in Matsui’s research, my progressive parents instilled in me the spirit of choice and freedom. My father’s words, “If you don’t want to have babies, it’s ok. If you don’t want to get married, it’s ok. That’s your choice,” were my guiding light. Yet, the city, as advanced as it was, still hummed the old tunes of gender norms and expectations. Growing up, I remember hearing arguments about how the most important business for women is to marry a nice husband. One of my closest friends in China once expressed to me her desire to escape the gaze that often commodified women based on their appearance. This duality of existence resonated with Matsui’s findings while also emphasizing the stagnation that has distinguished the subsequent decades after Matsui conducted his interviews.

Conversations with Friends:

After noticing the similarity between Matsui’s finding and my personal journey, I started to connect my personal story to the broader landscape of gender and sexuality perspectives among Chinese international students. It enriched my exploration by offering a broader context, encouraging me to discover the nuances and diversity within this community. Therefore, I seek out the voices of my friends, each with their own unique backgrounds and stories, to further enrich the discovery and reflection. I interviewed Zining, Rebecca (pseudonymous), and Wei – Chinese international students who, like me, were navigating the intricate dance of cultural, gender, and identity adaptation between the US and their home country. Each voice and each story contribute depth and color to the evolving picture that Matsui’s research had looked into.

Some People Navigate Cultural Norms

Girls should study liberal arts majors.

Zining, a female student from Beijing, shared with me her experiences growing up in a society where traditional gender roles were deeply ingrained. Unlike the participants in Matsui’s interview, Zining firstly learned about gender roles in her own family. From a young age, she found herself learning domestic skills like cooking and cleaning, while her brother was exempt from such responsibilities. The subtle but powerful manifestations of gender bias also existed outside her home, often in casual conversations and jokes. Zining recounted, “Even teachers from my high school would say things like, ‘girls should study liberal arts majors.'”

However, Zining’s journey took an intriguing turn when she transitioned to the U.S. for her higher education. She described this transition as both startling and illuminating. The openness she encountered in the U.S. educational environment was a stark contrast to the constraints she had experienced back home. “It was a breath of fresh air,” she said, “but it also presented a challenge—how to balance the preservation of my cultural identity with the adaptation to new norms.”

Some People Embrace Identity Amidst Stereotypes

Conversations about identity were as open as our discussions about art and literature.

Rebecca, who also came from Beijing but from a more liberal family, had a different perspective on her journey. She grew up in an environment where conversations about identity were as open as discussions about art and literature. Her family’s progressive outlook allowed her to explore her identity with freedom and confidence. “In my family,” she recalled, “conversations about identity were as open as our discussions about art and literature.”

However, upon arriving in the US, Rebecca encountered a new set of challenges. She found herself facing stereotypes and expectations about Asian women that clashed with her self-perception. She expressed frustration and disheartenment at sometimes being perceived through preconceived notions about her ethnicity and gender.

Rebecca’s story highlights the complexities of identity formation and adaptation, where the contrast between her upbringing and the external perceptions she faced abroad shaped her understanding of gender and sexuality in distinct ways.

For Some People, The Transition is a Continuity

Wei, a student from Shanghai, offered a perspective that straddled both worlds. He shared that, personally, he didn’t notice a significant difference in terms of gender and sexuality perspectives between his experiences in China and in the U.S. His family, he explained, had always been progressive on such topics, fostering an environment where discussions about identity were encouraged.

Wei’s seamless transition into the U.S. educational environment reflected his adaptability. He acknowledged that while there are cultural norms in China, his personal experiences had been largely free from the constraints of traditional expectations.

Further Research:

Each of my interview participants came from major urban centers such as Beijing and Shanghai, which introduces a potential selection bias, as it overlooks Chinese foreign students originating from rural regions, who may offer unique perspectives and experiences. Further interviews are essential before drawing a more definitive conclusion.

Conclusion:

The intertwining of Matsui’s research, my personal journey, and the diverse narratives of Zining, Rebecca, and Wei, paints a rich and complex picture.

In this rich tapestry, each thread – each voice and narrative – contributes to an evolving story of gender and sexuality perspectives among Chinese international students. These voices served as a reminder that the story of Chinese international students are deeply influenced by individual backgrounds and family dynamics. It is a story that transcends boundaries and norms and is distinguished by contrasts and confluences. It weaves a narrative of discovery, reflection, and transformation in a world that is marked by rapid change and numerous influences.