Hmong Culture Research Paper

Within the Hmong culture, patriarchy has been in our tradition for centuries. These gender norms are greatly harming our Hmong women and men, and Hmong parents and elders should withdraw their judgment from the younger generations and prevent further harm, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional. Hmong American women are pressured to be “perfect, obedient, to ua siab loj siab ntev, and that success is to be "a submissive wife who bears children” (N. Vang). Hmong American men grow up with the pressure to be strong and emotionless, to carry the family on their own, and that to be successful is to be able to ‘provide for a wife and children’” (N. Vang). The reason Hmong parents and elders hold these expectations over their children is due …show more content…
As the Hmong generation grows up in America, they begin to deviate from the generational values and traditions; however, they are still held back by their parents/elders. Hmong parents/elders should accept that times have changed and the younger generation no longer wishes to live in a world of patriarchy, which does nothing but harm them. Hmong traditions are toxic and unhealthy, which no one should have to abide by. The expectations placed on Hmong women and men are damaging to one’s identity and worldview. For Hmong women, their worth is measured by their caretaking skills, and “when it comes to raising children, daughters are taught to cook and clean extensively” (P. Vang). Aside from skills, they are also expected to behave in a certain way. Often, a woman must be obedient and patient. She is not supposed to talk back and must obey her husband’s every …show more content…
When running his household, his authority cannot be competed with; he is the only decision-maker. (Lemoine) Both Hmong women and men struggle to act in accordance with their assigned roles and, while doing so, may lose sight of themselves. Within the Hmong community, the struggles are not often talked about, much less the impacts on a person’s physical and mental health. A Hmong woman loses her identity at a young age to be groomed into the “perfect bride," which leads to her losing her view of herself and her identity by evolving herself into what others want her to become. Especially in a society where Hmong Americans live by both American culture and Hmong culture, many struggle to fit into society. Misty Her, born in a Thailand refugee camp and growing up in America, says, “I struggled with being a Hmong American. You're always tugging; do I go to this side or that? How do I make it fit, so at the end of the day I can still live with myself?”

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