The Hmong Family Traditions

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Split Horn: Hmong Tradition
The Hmong people are very traditional. They have passed down the same traditions for the past 5000 years. Family is very important to the Hmong, even though families tend to be scattered across the country in the United States. Many Hmong families came to the United States after the Vietnam War to start a new life. They came here because they were displaced refugees and no longer had a home. They did not want to assimilate and lose their traditions, but the younger generations of Hmong seem to be moving farther from the old traditional ways, becoming more American.
The Hmong have very elaborate ceremonies to send the deceased on to their ancestors in the spirit world. These ceremonies take four days and three nights …show more content…

Cultural assimilation occurs when a minority ethnic group changes their cultural patterns to match those of the host society. We saw examples of this when Paja’s children no longer wanted to partake in the traditional ceremonies. Marital assimilation is when large-scale intermarriage occurs with members of the majority society. We saw this in Paja’s son who had a baby with his white American girlfriend. I believe, though they were not married, living with and having children interracially is still an example of marital assimilation. Structural assimilation is yet another of Gordons phases. This occurs when the minority ethnic group experiences large-scale entrance into the cliques, clubs, and institutions of the host society on a primary group level. I believe a great example of this form of assimilation is seen in Paja’s children becoming Christians and living a life of Christianity. Another place that this is seen is with his young son not wanting to take time out of his busy American life to participate in the traditional ceremonies and way of life of the Hmong.
Traditional cultural beliefs are very important to the Hmong people. The older generation want to hang on to all of the traditions, without change, as has been their way for 5000 years. The younger people are willing to hang on to some of the old traditions for their elders sakes. However, they enjoy making their own way, and forming their own beliefs, as is the American way. When you grow up in a culturally different society, it is hard not to assimilate and take on the host society’s

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