Looking Beyond the Mask by Nancy Brown Diggs

Looking Beyond the Mask by Nancy Brown Diggs

Looking Beyond the Mask focuses on the personal stories of the growing number of American women who--despite vast cultural differences, and sometimes because of them--are married to Japanese men. Although the problems encountered in such marriages are similar to those found in any union, there are cultural implications that can exacerbate almost any of them. Potential areas of conflict are examined, such as in-laws, customs and manners, values, living conditions, religion, communication, sex and gender, and raising children. The book deals with meeting such challenges and attempting to look beyond the cultural masks to see the real people behind them. The women in question stress the importance of commitment, a flexible attitude, a strong sense of identity, a support network, a sense of perspective, and a sense of humor. They also reveal the benefits of these marriages, including a greater appreciation for Japanese ways and the opportunity to continually grow and learn. Based on extensive research, the book provides a new look at Japan from the unique perspective of those American women most intimately involved with its culture.

"I know of no other books on this topicThat in itself makes it worthwhile, but it is important beyond its uniqueness. There are increasing numbers of intercultural marriages, and many of the topics and examples discussed in this book are applicable to other marriages. In addition to the importance of the topic for those studying marriage and interracial/intercultural relations, Diggs adds to our knowledge about Japanese culture by delving into areas of similarity and difference in the most intimate of relationships." — Jeanne Ballantine, author of The Sociology of Education: A Systematic Analysis

Nancy Brown Diggs is the author of Steel Butterflies: Japanese Women and the American Experience, also published by SUNY Press.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780791450703
ISBN 10	0791450708
Title	Looking Beyond the Mask
Author	Nancy Brown Diggs
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	State University of New York Press
Year published	2001-08-30
Number of pages	239
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.