| Although Vietnamese immigrants have been in the U.S. for one to three decades, and some research exists on health, law, migration patterns, mental health, and education, there is a scarcity of research about how Vietnamese women have adapted to the American culture. In this participatory action research study, the researcher explored the experiences of a group of six Vietnamese women to ascertain whether Vietnamese women's adaptation strategies have been helpful and what their recommendations are to other Vietnamese women. The researcher collected data through participatory dialogues.;The study participants faced many challenges in coming to the US. The common challenges identified were, gender role differences, marital and family conflict, language barriers, and generational differences. The unique challenges identified were, being and feeling different, prejudice and stereotypes, raising children and financial burden. The common strategies the women undertook to adapt to the US culture included cultural engagement, and preparation and education. No unique strategies were identified. The common recommendations made by the women included cultural immersion, and education and preparation. The unique recommendations made by a couple of the women were support networks, re-inventing oneself, and appreciation for and care of self.;The study participants' adaptation to the US culture demonstrated a selective assimilation approach. The older women who came to the US later in life seem to have had more difficult challenges in overcoming loss of their home country and in making shifts in their outlook and behavior. The women who came to the US early in their lives had some similar and some different challenges than the older immigrants. Most of the women experienced conflicts and tensions in their relationships and families related to role expectations brought from Vietnam and exacerbated by the significant differences between Vietnamese and US cultures. One interesting finding of the study was that what we think of, as Vietnamese cultural norms are actually norms imposed on Vietnamese culture by the Chinese many centuries ago. In immigrating to the US, Vietnamese people have the opportunity to rethink and envision a new future, and a culture that fits who they desire to be as Vietnamese-Americans. |
