By Irene Li

The lives of young Chinese Americans, particularly those who have been born and raised in the U.S. are centered around education and music, with the so-called "recreational activity" of sports being placed on the sidelines. Chinese parents, having being raised themselves in an environment where education is the basis of life, demands the same of their children, setting down stringent rules and carefully scrutinizing their work to ensure that they become the best scholar that they can possibly be. Likewise, they view the studies of music as a must-have talent to be added to their children’s lists of accomplishments. However, their demand on the athletics’ field is woefully minimal and touched with skepticism.

Parents view participation in sports as merely a recreational past time, leisure time activity to partake in when the time and schoolwork permits it. It could never be something that could be depended upon for later life. Their ideal future for their children is a career in the field of science and mathematics, in the world of technology and formulas. And sports, in their opinion, do nothing to help achieve that goal. It is because of this misconception that they do not push their children into the field of sports. Unlike Americans, whose athletic training commences early in their life with games of catch with dad or tagging along with big brother to basketball games, Chinese Americans are not compelled to tryout new sports. It is more common to see a five-year-old Chinese American sitting by a piano or reading chapter books than to see one chasing after a soccer ball or playing catch. It is just not part of the Chinese culture to view sports as a part of life.

Even though Chinese American athletes are sparse, those prominent few who have excelled in their sport have gained the acclaims and respect of many. Michelle Kwan, born to immigrant parents as a first-generation Chinese American, has captured numerous world and national figure skating championships, two Olympic medals, and the hearts of millions around the world. Amy Chow, daughter of Hong Kong parents, was part of the renowned "Magnificent Seven" U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team that captured the team gold medal in the 1996 Olympics, the first team gold ever for the U.S.. Michael Chang, a pro tennis player since the young age of fifteen, has broken several age-achievement records, and won a number of prodigious tennis titles. These athletes are the role models for young Chinese Americans and perhaps, through time, the old ways and ideals of Chinese parents would change to permit a new field of gifted athletes.