Asian American Masculinity in White Hegemonic Masculine Society : Hmong Men Perspectives

Abstract

This research examines Hmong American men perspectives on Asian American masculinity in White hegemonic masculine society. Prior research on Asian American masculinity has generally been focused on Korean Americans, Japanese Americans, and Chinese Americans. While the Hmong people have been in the U.S. for more than 40 years, their story is yet to be told. To help elaborate on this, I use Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a conceptual framework to guide my research. CRT is based off storytelling, skepticism of legal doctrines, intersectionality, critique of liberalism, primary beneficiaries of civil rights legislation, moving beyond black and white binary, and property as power. CRT is the framework of data collection, transcribing, and coding. Data collection consisted of semi-structured focus groups and personal interviews with five Hmong American college age men. My research question asks how does White hegemonic masculinity affect Asian American masculinity, specifically Hmong men? This research sheds light to masculinity, stereotypes of Asian Americans, and amplifies the experiences of Hmong American young men, simultaneously shedding light on oppressive structures and practices that perpetuates masculinity.