Discussion on Mien Video

Questions for Group Discussion about the Video on the Mien

1. Why did this group of people immigrate to this country? What kind of experiences did they have before they came here? 2. What are some of the obvious differences in material culture between the Mien as they lived in Asia and our culture? 3. What differences in folkways stood out to you? 4. What about our culture prompted reactions of culture shock from the Mien? What about their culture "shocked you? Usually we feel the greatest cultural shock concerning mores; what are some of the differences in mores between the two cultures? 5. Did you see any major differences in core values between the two cultures or in the relative importance of differing values? What about differences in beliefs? 6. Are there other differences in the basic ways in which the Mien and American differ in their approach to life? 7. Consider cultural diffusion. How did the Mien combine aspects of both cultures? Based on this video, how do you think that technology impacts culture? 8. It is common for children those who immigrate here to adapt to American culture more quickly than their elders. What kind of strains does this produce in the family? In the immigrant community?