Vietnamese Women Case Study Vietnamese

Vietnamese Women Case Study

Vietnamese Case Study Year

Noglak is a Vietnamese American woman that goes by "Judy." Recently wed, Judy participated in a traditional cultural wedding ceremony. In this type of setting... child rearing beliefs... Judy is 23 and completed college study of nursing, and desires employment; however her husband and family insist she have a baby instead.

Counseling Need/Concern & History

This case study involves a Vietnamese woman that does not want to follow traditional Vietnamese cultural protocol with regard to her family. The patient expresses no desire to stay home, cook or clean; rather she would prefer to live on her own and work, without consideration for a baby for many years. Judy feels pressure from her family to stay home and care for the needs of the family; as her husband however is not financially stable, this would mean she would have to "stick" to a tight budget.

Cultural Characteristics/Influences of Counseling Process

There are many cultural influences affecting Judy's inner turmoil as expressed through counseling. For example, her mother, husband and family feel it best she care for the home. Judy mentions the Chinese proverb often used by her mother "it is far better to have more children than goods" however this statement results in increased anger and hostility in the patient. As a result of these actions, Judy has withdraw, her social life has deteriorated and in need of direction as her inner desires and needs do not support those around her.

Culturally Specific Counseling Interventions

There are many cultural factors the counselor needs to understand prior to offering advice and assistance to Judy. Nghe, Mahalik & Lowe (2003) note it is traditional for Vietnamese men to engage in paternalistic behaviors, and adopt masculinity "ideals" (p.340). Many researchers have noted Vietnamese women have not had an opportunity for fair psychological counseling to date, partly because few counselors understand the cultural background of these women and other Asians, and partly because Vietnamese Americans often have stringent opinions of how counseling or other services may or may not be conducted (Nghe, Mahalik, & Lowe 2003; Tung, 1985). Uba (1994) notes many Vietnamese women struggle to assert their identity partly because of the patriarchal system they grow up in, one that is vastly different from the traditional democratic view of equality between gender in the United States.

Counseling interventions given the above stated matter should include exploration of "gender socialization influences" on Vietnamese patients like Judy, and influences that are similar or different from other "Asian" cultures (Nghe, Mahalik, Lowe, 2003: 245). Traditionally men hold a higher status and thus are believed to offer an unquestionable authority in a Vietnamese home; thus the counselor must understand it may be necessary for Judy to work with her husband or participate in familial counseling that accounts for this philosophy (Tung, 1985). Tung also notes it is important a counselor must understand in many Vietnamese cultures, men must be the power source because they are expected to do so, whereas women are expected to provide care for family members including her partner, and may also consult with her mother or grandmother for advice, a pattern discovered by other counselors (Sue & Sue, 1999).

The counselor will then need to help Judy understand the process of assimilation into American culture, so she can decide whether this is right for her or not. By visiting a counselor with her partner, she would demonstrate appropriate cultural loyalty by asking her husband to be the care seeker, or person who aligns with the psychotherapist to make decisions so her partner does not become violent or engage in overly masculine behaviors that may harm Judy's spirit (Nghe, Mahalik & Lowe, 2003). The counselor may be able to express the need for Judy to first attend to work to help support her partner before having her baby, in a manner that considers her partners potential insecurities at allowing Judy to take on a non-traditional role in the family. This change however is likely, especially as more and more Asian families adopt a more Western cultural belief system (Nghe, Mahalik & Lowe, 2003). The counselor may also work with Judy to help her understand often it is far more difficult as proven by case study for Vietnamese men to accept the idea of acculturation, because it may influence their formerly socially accepted activities including drinking, which in the states may result in economic loss, as the patient realizes thus her desire to work (Nghe, Mahalik & Lowe, 2003). The role of the counselor will also serve to help Judy understand typically Vietnamese women "acculturate and acquire English proficiency faster" than do their "male counterparts" (Sue, 1990; Nghe, Mahalik, & Lowe: 245). The counselor can also help Judy to understand how her participation in providing economic or financial support to the family may result in greater anxiety for her partner as he would be considered traditionally as inept at financially supporting his family (Nghe, Mahalik & Lowe: 245). Ideally this will result in mutual understanding between both parties, and allow Judy to make a decision about her participation without compromising her morals or social beliefs. Her partner may also be able to compromise on some traditional "rules" so that Judy may enjoy some work, perhaps part-time, so there is still an opportunity for her to take on a traditional role if that is what she desires.