Analysis #4

Analysis of “Caught Between Cultures:

Hmong Parents in America’s Sibling Society”

In “Caught Between Cultures: Hmong Parents in America’s Sibling Society,” Tamara L. Kaiser discusses the correlation between the Hmong culture and American culture, and how families struggle to accommodate both. Kaiser goes through Hmong culture fundamentals of the Confucius hierarchical system. Hmong children learn and respect their elders and know their place. If I child would disobey their elders they would be punished through physical force or public shame. This approach is very different compared to the modern American style of parenting. In America Kaiser argues that there is a lack of parent interaction with their children due to single parent families or both the parents’ work. American children are then focused on the media support that does not work.

While Kaiser has a strong argument, the essay is weakened by the generalities and examples she uses. Some of Kaiser’s bitterness and bias comes out when she talks about American culture saying, “Americans are increasingly ignorant of history, art, music, geography, literature, religious and philosophical ideals, and moral issues” (9). While this may pertain to a certain group of Americans, you cannot assume this about a whole nationality. Even though Kaiser uses these generalities the final point of the essay is very valid, both parenting styles have flaws and the combination of the two is not an easy thing to do.