(Nguyen2011) In order to get a clear understanding of the dynamic of Vietnamese parents and youth in the U.S. it is imperative that the differences between the Eastern and Western cultures are implicated since most Vietnamese parents are immigrants whose Asian cultural background may have affected their cultural integration particularly in terms of the adoption of their parenting styles (Nguyen & Cheung, 2009). Because the traditional Vietnamese culture is communal in nature family interests often take precedence over personal concerns and where one’s primary duty is to the family linage (Nguyen, Messe, & Stollak, 1999). This traditional family linage is “characterized by a strong patrilineal structure and a certain order in family life” (Dinh & Nguyen, 2006, p.409). The …show more content…
Vietnamese parents who expect their children to do well in school to carry out the names of the family to a new culture may not consider parent-child conflict to be affected by their parenting styles. According to Baumrind Parenting Typology, parenting styles are defined as outcome expectations on two dimensions: demands of the child and responsiveness to the child’s individuality (Pratt, Arnold, Pratt & Diessner, 1999). Parents high on both dimensions are described as authoritative in style, whereas those who are high on demands and low on responsiveness are described as using an authoritarian style. Nguyen and Cheung (2009) found that a vast majority of Vietnamese immigrants use authoritarian parenting to demand absolute obedience with little encouragement, while their children, young or grown, expect authoritative and democratic treatment from their parents with praises and positive reinforcement. Research found that employment of authoritarian parenting may impose a negative effect on the well-being of Vietnamese children due to the cultural dissonance between facing the traditional values and trying to conform to the individualistic perspective (Nguyen,