Many people dislike the term "half" when referring to someone of both Japanese and another race. The argument is that this implies that the person isn't fully Japanese or what not, and that bi-racial is a better term.

Personally, I disagree. Half = 50%. If the person has one parent who is Japanese, and one who is 'other', then it seems to me that the person is half Japanese. They are not fully Japanese, because if they were, both parents would be Japanese.

I am interested in hearing what others have to think on this topic. If someone can come up with some reasoning that I agree with on why the term 'half' is bad, I will have to re-think my opinion. But for the time being, I am of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with the term.

So what do you guys think?

I think the term half is fine. It makes it a lot easier to explain what percentage of lineage is from a certain background.

"half" doesn't bother me either. My kids will be half white and half Korean because it's exactly what they will be and called that.

Half is cool. Or I call them Hybrids too!

my son is half me and half mexican, i dont find the word half offensive

__________________
Life is about trusting our feelings and taking chances,losing and finding happiness,appreciating the memories and learning from the past.

Any descriptors we use tend to be for the benefit of other people. By the time you've answered the "What are you? Where are you from?" question for the zillionth time you just wanna shortcut it. There's a difference between the specific usage in Japanese than English to dig down into what the OP is getting at, though.

haafu is the appropriate modern term in Japanese that is the most free of social baggage.

"Half" in English, depending on the context and who's using it is a bit more debatable. Like, "You're only half" sort of thing. Internal usage differs from external and the application for such.

The above is in reference to Asian mixes only, Japanese specifically where mentioned since I assume we're talking about mixed Asian people. I'd be interested in knowing who these many people are that so hate the term "half".

Anyone Japanese + non-Japanese that has ever been to Japan knows that Japanese identity is pretty is or isn't without any in between. If not, you learn it rather quickly.

__________________
The Jade Ribbon Campaign Unite against HBV and liver cancer
AADP Asian American Donor Program

dude, i ain't a plant or a car. i'm personally okay with hun xue and would probably use it to describe my son but it's looking like ABC will work as well.

__________________
The Jade Ribbon Campaign Unite against HBV and liver cancer
AADP Asian American Donor Program

LOL! I was thinking the same thing.

I think the word "half" is just that A WORD. How else do you describe being half of one race and half of another race? It's two different races. My children will be half Asian and half White. what's wrong with that? lol

The way the world is working half may not be adequate give or take a century or more. People are mixing more and more. The only way I would think half would be a problem is if someone was being denied something because they aren't fully some race. I think it is fine if you want to define your heritage and not really necessary for anything else.

__________________

I just can't help myself. Risk it all with me.