2017/03/07 by Reiko Homma-True · 1 citation
Psychology · #Cultural Differences and Values #Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
paper · doi:10.1080/02703149.2017.1241584
openalex publication_date 2017/03/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2025/11/06
While growing up in a traditional, patriarchal family in Japan, I struggled between my wish to pursue my own dreams and the prevalent expectations for women to be subservient to men. The opportunity to come to the United States through marriage and to study at the University of California, Berkeley, was a catalyst for me to make major personal changes. I was also strongly influenced by the Civil Rights Movement that erupted around me, opening my eyes to the racism and sexism prevalent in the country. Learning from African American and Latino activists, I became an activist, first focusing on Asians in general. I then recognized that Asian American women were struggling under the double oppression of racism and sexism within their own community and in the majority world outside. I first did not think feminist psychology or feminist psychotherapy could be helpful for Asian American women as it appeared primarily designed for the middle class, White women. However, I was inspired by the minority feminist psychologist leaders to develop the feminist treatment approach that addresses the cultural diversity issues unique to Asian American women.