A Case of Conflict of Cultures: End-of-life Decision Making Among Asian Americans

This essay presents a case example of a conflict between two cultures. One culture is the U.S. mainstream culture, as illustrated in a federal statute, the Patient Self-Determination Act. This statute provides legal guidelines for health care providers dealing with individuals' end-of-life decision making. Lawyers and health care providers refer to these guidelines in their counseling and treatments, apparently assuming that these guidelines are in the best interest of those they serve.

The other culture is Asian American culture and its approach to end-of-life decision making. As this essay will discuss, Asian Americans have strong and long-established beliefs, values, and priorities that are relevant to end-of-life decision making. Some of these cultural norms may be contrary to U.S. mainstream culture, thus creating a conflict between two cultures.