To Catch or Not to Catch a Thief: A Case of Bride Theft among the Lao Hmong Refugees in Southern California
Author(s):
Scott, George M, Jr
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Ethnic Groups, Volume 7, Issue 2 (1988). pp. 137-151.
Language:
English
Abstract:
The custom of bride theft in the Hmong culture of Southeast Asia is described, & its practice by the Hmong resettled in the US is analyzed. In traditional Hmong culture, once bride theft occurs, it is considered a fait accompli, & establishes the same kinship ties as would the normative marriage procedure. In a case study among Hmong immigrants of southern Calif, a mother's panic at her daughter's abduction during a bride theft led her to countermand her clan's recommendation & seek help from the local authorities. Their intervention caused confusion & conflict, & undermined community social organization. Through bride theft & other customs, confrontation with an alien & incompatible public policy is causing the gradual breakdown of traditional Hmong kinship-based institutions & social control mechanisms. 14 References. Adapted from the source document.