Migration and Diversity in Asian Contexts

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

6 MIXED-ETHNIC CHILDREN RAISED BY SINGLE THAI MOTHERS IN JAPAN A Choice of Ethnic Identity Kayoko IshII INTRODUCTION This chapter investigates whether existing studies of the identity of mixedethnic children are adaptable to studies of such children in Japan, a country which was formerly predominantly mono-ethnic1 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 whiteness and 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 164 Kayoko Ishii 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 identity of mixed-ethnic children will be analysed. Finally, the mechanism that determines multi-ethnic identity will 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). It is now understood that notions of race and ethnicity create boundaries and hierarchies among human beings (Patel 2009, p. 3), and that the individual possesses a self only in relation to the selves of the other members of his/her social group (Patel 2009, p. 12). In other words, racial/ethnic identities are not fixed but open to interpretation, modification, and interaction (Bratter 2007, p. 827; Patel 2009, p. 92). People choose their own racial identity, and in so doing, they settle on an identity best suited to a given context (Patel 2009, p. 120). Therefore, the chosen racial identity of mixed-ethnic children provides an important lens through which to understand race relations and racial differences (Bratter 2007, p. 827). Finally, we can perceive these identity2 choices as reflective Mixed-ethnic Children Raised by Single Thai Mothers in Japan 165 of the hegemonic stratification of social and economic spheres (Al-hazza and Bucher 2008, p. 211; Chappell and Faltis 2006, p. 259). Even as late as the early twentieth century, mixed-ethnic people were regarded in academic analysis as marginally human (stonequist 1937). The assumption was that people raised between or among two cultural groups faced serious psychological difficulties as a result of being rejected by the dominant, lighter-skinned group and looked upon as different by the darker-skinned group (Patel 2009, p. 85). however, by the 1970s, empirical data began to accumulate and discussions of ethnic identity began to increase in number and complexity. The discussions tended towards two strands of thought. One strand said that racially stratified societies would place children of racially ambiguous parentage with that of the lower-status non-white parent (Bratter 2007, p. 824), and thus, all coloured or non-white people would be classified as “black” (Patel 2009, p. 86). Another strand said that racial mixing could result in the whitening of dark-skinned racial minorities by...