Traced back to Southern China and the clannish nature of Chinese culture, family associations play a unique role in U.S. Chinatowns. During the Chinese Exclusion Act and in times of extreme discrimination, family associations were not simply a social haven. They provided work and housing opportunities, translation and legal services, and protection. Today, with the advent of social service agencies, their role has evolved into a symbol of longevity and cultural values and serves as a social nexus for elderly Chinese. This video is a part of a series of educational videos. Please visit http://chinatownbanquet.org/ for more information or http://www.youtube.com/asiancdcorg to view the rest of the videos.