NCJ Number
149132
Journal
Journal of Ethnic Studies Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (1982) Pages: 101-116
Date Published
1982
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study profiles the social and psychological situations of two waves of Vietnamese refugees in the United States; the first wave arrived in 1975, and the second wave followed since 1976 and have received little research attention.
Abstract
Data were collected by means of a survey of heads of households, delivered with the assistance of Vietnamese associations and organizations. A total of 366 of the 749 instruments were returned. The survey instrument included 40 items and was written in Vietnamese. The questions focused on attitudes and perceptions regarding American society, new life circumstances, the education of children, identification with the host population, and preferences for old or new life conditions. Results revealed strong attachments to the home country. More than 82 percent believed that Vietnamese children should learn the Vietnamese language, and more than 89 percent would like their children to know about the culture of the home culture. Important differences emerged that were associated with backgrounds and the conditions under which migration occurred. The first wave of refugees included mostly the South Vietnamese elite, who appear to be having considerable success in the United States. Most of the boat people who followed in the second wave were not highly educated. They have enjoyed a certain level of support within the receiving Vietnamese communities and, having experienced hardships under communist rule, feel more satisfied with their new life and identify more with the host population than do the previous immigrants. Tables, note, and 10 references