| After fleeing the Vietnam War in Laos and resettling in the United States, Mien hill tribe refugees experienced conflicts in trying to survive in modern American society. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the adaptation of Mien refugees to American culture from the mid 1980s to the late 1990s. The conceptual framework for this study was based on the segmented assimilation and selective acculturation theories of Portes, Zhou, and Gibson. This study answered questions regarding the educational needs of Mien refugees, including what those needs were, how those needs were met, the perceptions of the Mien refugees regarding the role of a Christian church in meeting these needs, and how the elements of their traditional culture that were retained influenced the adaptation process. The research design was a multiple case study, and participants were 12 Mien refugees from four families, representing three generations. Data sources included interviews, observations, and documents that included letters and written reports. Data were analyzed inductively through a system of pattern-matching logic. The findings revealed that the types of needs and the ways those needs were met differed remarkably among the three generations and that the middle generation served as a link between the older and the younger generations. This study promotes social change by providing needed information to social science researchers, educators, public and private organizations, and individuals who might assist Mien refugees in adapting to American culture. These findings also benefit Mien refugees by helping them to identify their own needs and the resources available to assist them in their adaptation process. |
