Separation and Reunion in Modern China (2002) by Charles Stafford
Separation and Reunion in Modern China (2002) by Charles Stafford
In this monograph Charles Stafford considers separation as an existential state of human societies. He depicts how “repeated physical separations in various forms- including, ultimately, in the form of death- are surely an evitable feature of human life [that stands} in a complex relationship with various forms of emotional and social separation and distance” (Stafford 2002, p.5). By means of ethnographic data accumulated both in Taiwan and on the mainland, along with historical sources and literacy, Stafford details the ways in which the Chinese regard the passage of separation and reunion in frameworks as varied as the etiquette of welcomes (jie) and farewells (song), traditional religion, family formations, kinship, festivals of reunion, and the political separation and reunion of China and Taiwan.
During the opening chapter, Stafford describes many of the approaches in psychology and then anthropology on the subject of passage and separation, opening by examining Freud’s study on mother-infant relationships. Freud considers separation to be a structuring difficulty of childhood which sustains a lifetime consciousness of autonomy, dependency and relatedness. Stafford subsequently exhibits four approaches to separation within anthropology (Freud 1955). Initially he illustrates cross-cultural comparisons in mother-infant relations. He then assesses the literature on separation in findings of socially displaced groups in refugees and migrants. Finally, he reviews studies on the function of emotional ambivalence in human relations produced by conflicting, universal requirements for autonomy and dependence. The introductory chapter is the most theoretical and bases the framework for the rest of the monograph.
Subsequently, Stafford examines many specific examples of the position of separation and reunion in Chinese society and culture. Deriving predominantly on his ethnographic data, the first
In this monograph Charles Stafford considers separation as an existential state of human societies. He depicts how “repeated physical separations in various forms- including, ultimately, in the form of death- are surely an evitable feature of human life [that stands} in a complex relationship with various forms of emotional and social separation and distance” (Stafford 2002, p.5). By means of ethnographic data accumulated both in Taiwan and on the mainland, along with historical sources and literacy, Stafford details the ways in which the Chinese regard the passage of separation and reunion in frameworks as varied as the etiquette of welcomes (jie) and farewells (song), traditional religion, family formations, kinship, festivals of reunion, and the political separation and reunion of China and Taiwan.
During the opening chapter, Stafford describes many of the approaches in psychology and then anthropology on the subject of passage and separation, opening by examining Freud’s study on mother-infant relationships. Freud considers separation to be a structuring difficulty of childhood which sustains a lifetime consciousness of autonomy, dependency and relatedness. Stafford subsequently exhibits four approaches to separation within anthropology (Freud 1955). Initially he illustrates cross-cultural comparisons in mother-infant relations. He then assesses the literature on separation in findings of socially displaced groups in refugees and migrants. Finally, he reviews studies on the function of emotional ambivalence in human relations produced by conflicting, universal requirements for autonomy and dependence. The introductory chapter is the most theoretical and bases the framework for the rest of the monograph.
Subsequently, Stafford examines many specific examples of the position of separation and reunion in Chinese society and culture. Deriving predominantly on his ethnographic data, the first
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