Hmong Culture Research Paper

Words: 610
Pages: 3

The Hmong people and especially the males find it very difficult to fit in to the American society because of their vast differences in culture. Hmong have been incessantly characterized as traditional, patriarchal, preliterate, and rural in contrast to an exceptionally modern, educated, urban U.S. society. Pg.151 Since the Hmong began arriving in the United States in the 1970s and still to this day, they have faced prejudice and seclusion from the surrounding communities because of their distinct cultural differences. The identities and cultures-beliefs, behaviors, and values-of Hmong youth and families are portrayed as traditional and rural, irreconcilably distinct from contemporary U.S. society. Pg.151
Educationally, the Hmong males struggle to advance because of their language barrier and their inability to fit in the school settings. Non-Hmong students perceived Hmong boys as not as Americanized, invisible and ignored. Pg.153 This prejudice of Hmong students is one of the major educational barriers that the Hmong face and is especially hard for the Hmong males. Many Hmong male students refuse to participate in class, not because they do not know the answers, but because of the ridicule they receive based on their language deficiencies(). This is perceived by teachers as a problem due to culture and
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The Hmong males need a good education so that they can be competitive in the American society and as their culture dictates, to be the person who earns the money and provides for the families well being. Not having a good education is a major obstacle for them to get past in order to achieve this responsibility. Hmong parents have greater educational expectations for their sons than for daughters. Pg.152 This higher expectation earns the Hmong males special treatment over the Hmong females. Broader society has great expectations for both male and female in