Migration news
Volume 33, Issue 3, 1984, Pages 3-33

Voyagers in the land: a report on unaccompanied Southeast Asian refugee children. (Article)

Schulz N.* , Sontz A.
  • a [Affiliation not available]
  • b [Affiliation not available]

Abstract

This report examines the social and economic adaptation of 420 Southeast Asian refugee minors who are in 28 United States Catholic Conference resettlement programs. 3 surveys, completed by 1445 program practitioners and refugee children, provide the data. 20 of the 28 programs followed agency native-born foster care programs, indicating program continuity and advance planning. The programs resettled 2085 children between 1977 and 1982; 25.9% of participants programs. 40% of the programs have formal follow-up programs for emancipated children. The typical refugee is a Vietnamese, Buddhist male (78%) in good health, although 56% of the children have had some incidence of depression. Children in foster care live mainly in suburban areas; emancipated children live primarily in urban areas. 314 of the sample are still in care, with 84% resettled in foster homes. Program practitioners rate almost 77% of the refugees as having good or excellent school adjustment, and 98% want to attend college. 45% have obtained full (13%) or part-time (87%) employment. A majority wish to enter scientific or other professions, or business. Children placed with parents of the same ethnic group as themselves exhibit less depression (22%) than other refugees. Follow-up information exists for 106 emancipated refugees: 59% choose to live with ethnic friends; 55% report having relatives in the US. 56% are in college; 80% have jobs. Both emancipated and those still in care have ethnic and American friendships, thus moving in 2 cultural worlds. Special issues discussed include links between refugees and their resettlement areas, depression, foster home adjustment (or placement mobility), and placement options.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

evaluation cultural anthropology Vietnam Youth Americas refugee population Migrants demography social change developing country Population Dynamics Developing Countries Refugees Asia Developed Countries program effectiveness Settlement And Resettlement Cultural Background United States North America sociology Adolescent Southeast Asia Acculturation Viet Nam juvenile Western Hemisphere cultural factor Article organization and management Organization And Administration Programs program evaluation Quantitative Evaluation migration health care quality age developed country Age Factors population and population related phenomena Demographic Factors Southeastern Asia Emigration and Immigration Evaluation Studies Transients and Migrants Northern America Population Characteristics Asia, Southeastern Culture Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0021452978&partnerID=40&md5=fcdc66601f212f31aec89a0101bd81cf

ISSN: 00263583
Original Language: English