In Cambodia and the United States, the family unit is generally that of the nuclear family. Extended families, however, are not uncommon occurrences. Traditionally, the male is the head of the household. However, due to circumstances, there are times in which the female is the head of the household. In an extended family, the head of the household is the eldest regardless of gender.
Child Rearing The raising of children is the responsibility of the female.
In any society, raising children is difficult. For Cambodian immigrants in America, the difficulty increases due to language and cultural conflicts. Many immigrants may only speak English at a very minimal level, while their children are learning it at an expedient rate. This can lead to young children having to assume responsibilities that they are not mature enough to handle. The responsibilities may include translating for older relatives, writing checks and paying bills.