Traditional Hmong marriage ceremony values and practices: Influence and change as a result of immigration
Author(s):
Mouavangsou, Choua
Format:
Thesis
Degree granted:
Psy.D.
Publisher:
Ann Arbor : Alliant International University, Fresno, 2009.
Pages:
252
Language:
English
Abstract:
Through the evolution of time, people often migrated to various regions to survive. Over the centuries, the Hmong are among those ancient people who have migrated from one location to another in search of the peace and freedom to live and practice their traditional way of life in solidarity. As they migrated into the various regions, they often had to live within the cultures of those new environments while striving to maintain their traditional rituals and practices. As one of many refugee groups migrating to the United States, the Hmong have made radical changes to their traditional practices, particularly traditional Hmong marriage ceremony rituals. A qualitative study using semistructured, face-to-face and telephone interviews was conducted to discover factors that have affected change to the traditional Hmong marriage ceremony among the 0.5-generation Hmong participants. The 0.5-generation Hmong are individuals who were born in Laos and raised and educated in the United States with a common knowledge of both Hmong and American cultures. All of the participants in this study resided in the states of California and Utah in the United States. Thematic analysis was the methodology approach used for analyzing the qualitative data in this study. The data were themed and conclusions were drawn based on the participants' interview responses. Some of the themes identified by the participants regarding the factors that have resulted in changes to the traditional Hmong marriage ceremony rituals were (a) time required for marriage rituals, (b) lack of knowledge of the rituals, (c) religion, (d) significance of Hmong rituals, (e) assimilation and acculturation to the American culture, (f) education, (g) mixed race marriages, (h) money required for rituals, (i) language, and (j) the shift in thinking from collectivism to individualism. These factors have influenced some of the Hmong to consider different and varied marriage ceremony approaches upon marrying in the United States. Although these participants have married within the traditional Hmong marriage arrangement ceremonies, they were open to their children's preferences and choice of marriage arrangement options. The essential marriage elements were continued to be practiced by the 0.5-generation Hmong even though modifications have been made to some of the traditional Hmong marriage ceremony rituals. With the Hmong quickly adapting to and adopting the American culture, there were high expectations that the Hmong will continue to preserve and practice their traditional marriage practices and rituals with their marriage ceremony preferences.