Leakhena Nou has studied the sociological patterns of Cambodian refugees in America. She holds a Ph.D. and master's in sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Nou currently teaches at California State University, Long Beach.
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In this phone interview, Nou discusses struggles faced by Cambodians adjusting to life in America. Topics discussed include the generation gap, cultural clash, justice and more.
Click on the individual audio files to hear Nou's response.
1. Why is genocide research important today?
2. Whom did the Khmer Rouge impact? d
3. What are some elements of the generational gap? l
4. Do enough survivors communicate with their children? h
5. How do children react to survival stories? l
6. Why don't more Cambodians seek professional help? l
7. What is the concept of "Lost Soul" in your research? l
8. How does the Cambodian diaspora compare to other refugee communities? l
9. Is there hope for more communication and awareness? l
10. Why is the genocide tribunal important? l
Research study:
In 2006, Nou published a report for the Institute for Asian American Studies titled, "A Qualitative Examination of the Psychosocial Adjustment of Khmer Refugees in Three Massachusetts Communities." In this paper, Nou explored the sources of stress, stress mediators and adaption patterns of Cambodian genocide survivors living in the cities of Lowell, Lynn and Revere.
Nou finds that these survivors and their children struggle with refugee identities. The historical magnitude of the genocide contributes to a lack of trust and respect within the communities, thus contributing to a lack of progression. Conflicts between parent and child were a concern for many interviewed in the research.
"Many youth find themselves caught between a desire to assimilate to American culture and wish to search for their own Cambodian identity. The resulting cultural dissonance is heightened when children do not show respect to parents and when parents are unable to discipline their children"(p. 27).
To consider the causes of these struggles, Nou examined the following topics:
* Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
* Contributors to stress and depression
* Understanding of the legal system
* Sufficient income
* Uprooting from Cambodia
* Feeling socially outcast in America
* Lack of education
* Destruction of Cambodian culture
* Lack of respect from child to parent
* Fear of children joining gangs
* Absence of a male figure in the home
* Limited command of English
* Sponsoring family from Cambodia
* Clash between Cambodian and American culture
* Gambling, drinking, drug use
* Religious practice and spirituality
* Coping methods
* Having a successful career
* Seeking professional assistance
* Western lifestyle
* Homeland politics
*Nou is also the founder of the nonprofit Applied Social Research Institute of Cambodia (ASRIC). Visit the ASRIC Web site: http://www.asric-cambodia.org/
