Generational Change in Parenting Styles among Vietnamese in Nebraska

This study is part of a larger research project that examines the experiences and beliefs of parents from five Asian population in Nebraska, namely, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian. There is a need for research on Vietnamese American families, more so because of its increasing population in the state. The goal of the study is to describe the ways in which Vietnamese American parents differ across generations in terms of their child-rearing practices. Parents are either authoritarian or authoritative. Nguyen and Cheung (2009) stated that research specifically on Vietnamese parents is limited. Thus, past literature has generalized all Asian ethnicities into one collective group, projecting Vietnamese parents as authoritarian in nature. 18 parents were interviewed and their answers were uploaded onto Dedoose, a program where qualitative data were analyzed. Results showed that Vietnamese parents retain values that they perceive as beneficial for their children (i.e. culture, faith, corporal punishment). Additionally, they value two-way communication and mutual respect for their children more than their parents did in the past. They tend to practice more responsiveness while having high expectations for their children. This reflects authoritative parenting practices that is more commonly employed in the Western context. Findings of this study extend the present understanding and beliefs about Asian American parenting styles. The information about Vietnamese parents of this generation also reflects the influence of the host culture on immigrant parents’ beliefs and childbearing practices