The Hmong culture dates back to the
time when the Hmong lived in China. We were forced to move from China up into
the mountains and then we migrated to Laos. We went through a lot of hardship to
get to where we are now, which is living in America. I love living in America
and I love the American culture and traditions! I admit, I've become
Americanized! This is something that Hmong parents and clan members just don’t
seem to understand. I realize that the younger Hmong generation, such as I,
must retain the Hmong heritage, but…we are living in America. The elders feel
that women are still inferior to men and must become housewives or perfect
daughter-in-laws and bear children—lots of them! The girls have forced marriages
for ridiculous reasons and are practically seen as bags of money. Daughters
cannot go out with friends nor have sleepovers. It’s for this reason that most
of the Hmong girls rebel because there isn't any freedom, the type of freedom that
they see from other girls who are
allowed to do such activities. The main aspect that the elders stress is hard
work. They say that we worked too hard in Laos, like when we traveled miles and
miles to arrive at our gardens, to provide for ourselves, thus we must also do
the same here in America. The younger Hmong-Americans have grown lazy! We no
longer feel the need to struggle so much to provide for ourselves, although it
does help us grow as better people and in the workforce. I hate the fact that there
are so many expectations from parents that I hate my culture. But, I love my
culture at the same time because it’s different, interesting, and I love the
food! I think when I have kids— maybe one—I will give them more freedom and
also help them preserve the Hmong culture.
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