TY - JOUR
T1 - Sources of coherence in the life stories of Cambodian American women at the university
AU - Chhuon, Vichet
AU - Kyratzis, Amy
AU - Hudley, Cynthia
PY - 2010/11
Y1 - 2010/11
N2 - This article uses a life story framework (Linde, 1993) to examine the educational experiences of Cambodian American women college students. The literature suggests that Cambodian American female students experience particular educational challenges related to the gendered expectations of their cultural group. Two main themes emerged from analyses of participants' life stories produced during interviews: (a) concerns of family obligation and (b) reconciliation of their college departure. Each of the participants perceived herself as adhering to traditional Cambodian values because each maintained a strong sense of family obligation. However, they sought to fulfill their family obligation in new ways that allowed for increased independence and pursuit of university study. This study argues for the value of a life story perspective for informing research and educators about ways to better understand and serve Cambodian American women students.
AB - This article uses a life story framework (Linde, 1993) to examine the educational experiences of Cambodian American women college students. The literature suggests that Cambodian American female students experience particular educational challenges related to the gendered expectations of their cultural group. Two main themes emerged from analyses of participants' life stories produced during interviews: (a) concerns of family obligation and (b) reconciliation of their college departure. Each of the participants perceived herself as adhering to traditional Cambodian values because each maintained a strong sense of family obligation. However, they sought to fulfill their family obligation in new ways that allowed for increased independence and pursuit of university study. This study argues for the value of a life story perspective for informing research and educators about ways to better understand and serve Cambodian American women students.
KW - Asian American students
KW - Cambodian American students
KW - Immigrant students
KW - Life story
KW - Narrative
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79960499741&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79960499741&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15348458.2010.517702
DO - 10.1080/15348458.2010.517702
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79960499741
SN - 1534-8458
VL - 9
SP - 347
EP - 362
JO - Journal of Language, Identity and Education
JF - Journal of Language, Identity and Education
IS - 5
ER -