Cambodian Refugees' Pathways to Success: Developing a Bi-Cultural Identity

by Julie G. Canniff

Canniff's work makes explicit the Buddist values that inspire Cambodian adults and adolescents to be successful individuals within their families, their culture, and the larger American society. Her evidence is based on her relationship with a Cambodian community in a New England city and consists of narrative accounts and participant observation over a nine-year period. The findings support the research on immigrants which maintains that individuals who sustain strong cultural identity, while adding pragmatic strategies for getting ahead in American society, are consistently the most successful. The grandparents and parents in this study teach that a fulfilling life is balanced between respect and generosity to the family and Cambodian community and obligations to school and career. As difficult as it is in fast-paced American culture, these adolescents cling to this concept of balance and frequently choose a less stressful school and career path in order to honor their cultural obligations.

336 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2001