Valedictorians and delinquents: The bifurcation of Vietnamese American youth

Abstract

Vietnamese American young people have acquired two images in the eyes of the American public: achievers and delinquents. In this study, we present findings from qualitative and quantitative research that suggest that these stereotypes derive from the fact that Vietnamese American young people really are moving in two contrary directions in their adaptation to American society. Their ethnic communities encourage behaviors such as respect for elders and diligence in work. These communities, however, have largely settled in low‐income American neighborhoods where the young people are influenced by the disadvantaged native youth culture that has been shaped by the position of disadvantaged youth in the American economy. Focusing on a specific Vietnamese community, we offer evidence that contemporary Vietnamese youth are forming two distinct social groups as a result of these two contradictory sets of influences. We suggest that this bifurcation may be conceptualized by using classic theoretical perspectives on deviant behavior, specifically the opportunity structure perspective, a social learning perspective, and a social integration perspective.