Identity Formation of Vietnamese Immigrant Youth in an American High School (New Americans (Lfb Scholarly Publishing Llc).)

Centrie studies the identity formation of 20 Vietnamese high school students. Vietnamese students have a strong pro-school identity that arises from their immigrant or refugee experiences. The Vietnamese thus become model minorities in the eyes of therir teachers. Vietnamese male students stressed that their perception of freedom was closely linked to going to school and college. They also reported abuse by American students. Vietnamese female identity also centered on their refugee or immigrant experiences. Women, however, were less likely than men to have clear plans for the future, created an ideology of romance around Vietnamese males, and struggled to balance traditional female roles with American ideas gender equality. Vietnamese families and community also contribute to the student’s pro-school identity by strictly enforcing Vietnamese cultural attitudes.