CAMBODIAN CHILDREARING PRACTICES AND BELIEFS.
Contributors: Boston University.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 117
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies.; Education, Early Childhood.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.; Anthropology, Cultural.
Description: With the considerable and increasing number of Southeast Asian people settling in the U.S. it is imperative that health care providers become cognizant of the cultural values and beliefs they bring with them. It is also important for providers to be sensitive to the cultural differences among the Southeast Asian groups. The Cambodian people are one such group. This is a descriptive study designed to explore the practices and beliefs relating to childrearing among the Cambodian refugees that have settled in the United States. This was a year long study. It consisted of interviews with Cambodians and Americans as well as observations of Cambodian childrearing practices and behaviors. The purpose was to find out what issues seem to characterize their view of childrearing.

Based on this study, I found that there are two fundamental tenets that underlie Cambodian life. The first is that the family is the basic, most important structure in the life and identity of a Cambodian. The second is that life is set and ordered within a hierarchical structure. Childrearing practices are based on these beliefs and are set up to teach and reinforce these beliefs to the children. Exploration of events during the childrearing continuum, childbirth, newborn care, baby and child care, teens and marriage, showed that the Cambodians are willing to modify and adapt some of their customs to the American system but conflicts arise when the family structure or hierarchical order is threatened.

These findings are of significance to health care providers. In order for health care to be acceptable and health behavior modified, it is essential that it be done within the cultural frame of reference brought by the client.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-01, Section: B, page: 0161.

Thesis (ED.D.)--BOSTON UNIVERSITY, 1991.

School code: 0017.