| Summary: | 碩士 === 輔仁大學 === 兒童與家庭學系碩士在職專班 === 104 === Taiwan is a multiracial nation, unfolding various cultures, languages, and lifestyles. The lifestyle of its minorities needs our attention. In recent years, cross-race-intermarriage keeps increase, especially the intermarriage between the aborigines and the Hakka nationality, which are minorities. And the relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law cannot be ignored.
This study adopted qualitative analysis and deep interviews, regarded three mothers-in-law of Rukai Tribe (one of the aborigines) and their daughters-in-law of Hakka nationality as its subjects, and explored the changes of role expectations and interpersonal accommodation during the interaction between the mothers-in-law and their daughters-in-law. The findings are as follows. First, the cultures of Rukai and Hakka have similarities with the patriarchal institution of traditional Chinese culture. The women of both the minorities are diligent and tolerant. Second, the mothers-in-law expected their daughters-in-law to observe the customs of their places. After spending time together, the mothers-in-law are satisfied about their daughters-in-law in terms of housework and child-rearing. The daughters-in-law expected that their mothers-in-law could help them do housework together and be open-minded. After spending time together, the daughters-in-law realize that the mothers-in-law of the aborigines are more open-minded than average mothers-in-law with traditional thinking. Third, as of interaction and adaptation of relationship, both the nationalities had negative impressions on the other before their interaction. The mothers-in-law and the daughters-in-law had conflicts due to their differences in semantic understanding, personalities, and cognition of home and roles. Important middlemen and emotional attachment of the daughters-in-law to their parents' home also affect the interaction between the mothers-in-law and the daughters-in-law. As they spend more time together and become more familiar with each other, the relationships between the three mothers-in-law and their daughters-in-law become more harmonious. The turning points lie in that they have the same religious beliefs, changes of living space, and mutual feedbacks. After further analysis, it is found that the key to the changes of relationships is their mutual respect and understanding. Below recommendations based on the study findings serve as references:
1. Important middlemen can be the bridge between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, who shall set an example to honor their parents, respect their wives, and make the relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law closer. 2. The sense of distance due to different living patterns and changes of space can be narrowed by group online chat which can enhance communication, express mutual concerns, and narrow psychological distance. 3. The relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law is not necessarily to be the same as that between mothers and daughters, but moderate concerns, mutual respect, sincerity are key elements to promote a harmonious relationship. 4. Units related to family education can organize relevant courses or activities through churches and friendly relations among tribes so as to enhance the interaction among family members, communication skills, and family cohesion. 5. Government education institutions and schools shall integrate multicultural awareness in their curriculum planning and teaching so as to cultivate the attitude to respect, accept, and appreciate foreign tribes.
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