Charles Stafford Books

Focusing on the experiences of children in the Taiwanese fishing community of Angang, the study delves into how they navigate their identities through schooling, family, and religious practices. It highlights their engagement with cultural texts and rituals that emphasize family values and national identity, examining the complexities of nurturing, education, and kinship. By comparing these experiences with those from northeastern mainland China, the author explores the interplay between personal identity and broader societal expectations, revealing the challenges children face in reconciling familial and national commitments.

Exploring the significance of rituals related to separation and reunion, this book delves into their profound effects on Chinese and Taiwanese society and culture. It examines how these practices shape interpersonal relationships, social structures, and cultural identity, highlighting the emotional and communal aspects of these rituals. Through detailed analysis, the work sheds light on the intricate ways in which these traditions influence everyday life and the collective psyche of the communities involved.

This book is directly relevant to students and professionals in anthropology, psychology and economics who are interested in economic life in the real world of everyday human interactions. It is framed around fascinating examples drawn from field research in rural China and Taiwan, and thus provides a useful introduction to these two societies.