Hmong Adolescent Conceptions of Citizenship
Social Studies Research and Practice
ISSN: 1933-5415
Article publication date: 1 July 2010
Issue publication date: 1 July 2010
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative, interpretive, study is to help us better understand how a small group of Hmong immigrant adolescents conceptualize their political and civic citizenship in the United States. Three focus groups including a total of 18 Hmong middle/junior high school adolescents were carried out in order to garner data. Upon data analysis and interpretation, it was determined that study participants consider rights and responsibilities important to citizenship in a democracy and participate in various social, political, academic, and environmental activities. Study participants emphasize the community good over personal self-interests. As Hmong culture tends to be more collectivist in nature, this value orientation may be incompatible with the curriculum, instruction, and philosophy that students experience in public schools: Hmong youth may experience educational disadvantage. Adolescents in this study are developing their conceptions of citizenship within a racialized, hierarchical society and they explained their experiences with racialization and how they understand white privilege.
Keywords
Citation
Simmons, A.M.M. (2010), "Hmong Adolescent Conceptions of Citizenship", Social Studies Research and Practice, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 23-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/SSRP-02-2010-B0004
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Publishing Limited