The Biculturation of the Vietnamese Student / Min Zhou and Carl L. Bankston, III.

This digest discusses the impact of traditional Vietnamese culture, family relationships, and bicultural conflicts on children's development and adjustment. Vietnamese parents tend to have relatively low levels of English language proficiency and education, low-paying jobs, and few financial resources. Although they work hard to improve their lives through U.S. opportunities, they are also committed to retaining their values and culture. Vietnamese children who are the least assimilated into U.S. youth subcultures tend to show the highest levels of academic performance. Cultural conflicts between immigrant parents and children born or reared in the United States are common. Vietnamese families face the following types of bicultural problems in achieving generational consonance: (1) parental authority; (2) modes of punishment; (3) views on U.S. culture; (4) role reversal; and (5) gender roles. Schools and other organizations that work with Vietnamese youth and their families can help them bridge the cultural gap through ethnic community, especially by understanding the effects of family loss, exile, and resettlement. Schools and other organizations should work with Vietnamese elders as well as students and try to improve ties between Vietnamese communities and the schools. Culturally sensitive adult and peer group assistance can help children develop bicultural ties and skills. Establishing Vietnamese language classes and other programs featuring ethnic culture can enhance the scholastic performance of Vietnamese students. (Contains 11 references.) (SLD)

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