Laotian Daughters

In this reading the language barrier was a key issue that caused minorities to not be able to assimilate with society. The laotian culture is different from that of other areas of China but at the same time I understand why they live double lives. The culture of America at the time of these respondents in this reading is a lot more liberal than that of what the laotian parents want due to their conservative beliefs and how they were brought up. Since the parents who immigrated to the United States grew up in a society where conservative beliefs were taught in school and has been their way of life for decades, they do not understand the huge culture shift in America. When these Laotian girls are growing up and beginning to choose what kind of life that they want to follow they understand that they will have 3 options where they either follow their parent’s conservative beliefs, fully assimilate into American culture or take traits from both cultures. However out of all these options if these daughters choose to assimilate into American culture and marry someone who’s not part of the Laotian culture, they will break the hearts of their parents. In the case of following their parent’s beliefs they will gain their trust but at the same time be given a lot more responsibilities that restricts their freedom. The consequences of the third option varies depending on which culture they lean more towards to. Not only that but some simply crack under the pressure and turn to crime and drugs.