A phenomenological study of Hmong women's experience with forced marriage in Hmong culture

Author / Creator

Vang, Paj Tshiab, author

Available as

Online

Summary

This exploratory qualitative research study utilizes feminist standpoint theory and shame cultures to explore the experience of Hmong women who married young by force of the family, due to a situat...

This exploratory qualitative research study utilizes feminist standpoint theory and shame cultures to explore the experience of Hmong women who married young by force of the family, due to a situation that is considered taboo in the Hmong culture. Three situational taboos were considered in this study: (a) premarital pregnancy, (b) bringing the girl home later than the parent(s) liking, and (c) visiting the girl without parental knowledge. Semi-structured interviews with five Hmong women residing in the Central Valley of California were conducted. This study is guided by the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology as described by Van Manen (as cited in Creswell, 2007) and Creswell (2007). Three themes emerged in the study: shame, freedom, and resilience. Findings indicate that shame and the value placed on saving face in the Hmong culture were contributing factors to their forced marriage.

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