Immigrant Wives and Their Cultural Influence in Taiwan

Author: Shelley Ching-yu Hsieh(Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Cheng Kung University)、Meg Ching-yi Wang(Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, National Cheng Kung University)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 53, No.2
Date：July 2008
Pages：131-148
DOI：10.6210/JNTNULL.2008.53(2).07

Abstract：

In Taiwan, the number of immigrant wives (foreign brides) has increased dramatically in recent years. Media outlets and academic research works report family violence and other problems. This study explores immigrant wives’ “hidden” position and status within the family and wider society by interviewing immigrant wives and their families. We compare the result of our fieldwork with the reports of Taiwan’s media and governmental institutions. It is found that the Taiwanese government mostly sees the problems that are reported to them that are only a part of the whole picture. Most immigrant wives actually have strong influence in Taiwan, in their new families and in society. At the same time, they provide the stimulus for the Taiwanese government to consider multiculturalist approaches to policy-making, give Taiwanese people more cross-cultural opportunities, and provide Taiwan a lesson for globalization.

Keywords：cultural migration, globalization, immigrant wives

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