危险的愉悦：早期美国华侨赌博问题研究（1850—1943年）

论文勾勒了早期美国华侨的赌博情形,分析了他们参赌、设赌的各种原因和社会危害,探讨了华侨社会、中美两国政府对华侨赌博问题管理和控制的效能。作者认为,早期大部分美国华侨热衷于赌博,主要是赌博为特定历史场景中的华侨提供了一种重要的社会活动方式,被他们视为实现黄金梦的一条捷径。经济利益的驱动致使华侨热衷开设赌馆,也使华侨堂号勾结警察,暴力护赌。赌博对美国华侨社会的危害是巨大的,它使一些华侨不能履行自己对家庭的义务和责任,还引发了吸毒、盗窃、＂堂斗＂等其他社会问题。在控制赌博的行动中,由于华侨社团和中国驻美领事权力有限,威望不高,而华侨赌商和堂号与美国警察互相勾结,致使禁赌行动难有成效。

Dangerous Pleasure:Gambling in the Early Overseas Chinese Society of America 1850-1943

FAside from depicting the gambling activities in the early Overseas Chinese society of America,this article examines various factors and negative social impacts behind the social problem while discussing how people to deal with it and whether such a management or control was effective. According to the author,the main reason for the deep indulgence in the bad habit among majority of early Chinese migrants was that gambling could provide Chinese migrants in the particular historical scenario with an important way for socializing,and it might become a shortcut for them to realize their dream of fortune. Driven by the economic gains, early Overseas Chinese were keen on establishing gambling dens while the Chinese Tongs colluded with local police and protected the gambling activities with violence,resulting in great harm to the Chinese society in America. Some of the Chinese migrants thus failed to fulfill their obligation and duty towards their families. Meanwhile,it triggered a series of social problems, such as drug addiction,burglary,and conflicts between different Chinese Tongs. The curb and control over the Chinese gambling were largely failed due to the weakness of local Chinese associations and the Chinese consulate, not to mention the collusion among the Chinese gambling business operators,Chinese Tongs and local American police.