Title: Hmong demography: an anthropological case study.

POPLINE Document Number: 076941

Author(s):

Kunstadter P
Kunstadter SL
Podhisita C
Ritnetikul P

Source citation:

In: International Population Conference/Congres International de la Population, New Delhi, September/septembre 20-27, 1989. Vol. 3. Liege, Belgium, International Union for the Scientific Study of Population, 1989. :317-30.

Abstract:

This paper describes features of Hmong culture relevant to demographic behavior, and discusses results from demographic studies of Hmong minority people living in Thailand and Laotian Hmong refugees in the US. The Hmong are a very young, high fertility population with rapid growth and a large household size. The young age structure, early age at marriage, and high population growth rate of the Hmong make it possible for them to adhere to their ideals of extended family households. High fertility is supported by numerous beliefs and customs, such as the need for children of both sexes for household labor, and the desire for sons to support parents in their old age and to carry on family ancestral rituals. Stated ideals of household economy and household composition are consistent with attitudes and behavior about marriage and fertility. There are, however, indications of change related both to perceptions of constraints on land resources in rural areas and to urban (non-farm) economic conditions. The anthropological approach of controlled comparisons has been used in this analysis to identify 3 sub-groups for comparison and has allowed the authors to show major differences in demographic behavior despite negligible differences in such socioeconomic indices as distance to health facilities and low overall degree of female education. Women in the transitional and especially the urban communities want few children, marry later, are more likely to use family planning, and have fewer children. Sex preferences associated with traditional household economy and composition are beginning to change. Some women said that they wanted fewer children than they already have. In a few households, especially in urban areas, the costs of children and their interference with women working are now viewed as reasons to limit the number of children. Hmong attitudes and behavior with respect to population variables appear to be more closely related to immediate economic circumstances than to indices of socioeconomic development.

Keywords:

Thailand
United States
Minority Groups
Ethnic Groups
Fertility Changes
Demographic Factors
Case Studies
Family Characteristics
Extended Family
Attitude
Family Size, Desired
Contraceptive Usage
Comparative Studies
Anthropology, Cultural
Developing Countries
Asia, Southeastern
Asia
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Population Characteristics
Population
Cultural Background
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Studies
Research Methodology
Family and Household
Psychological Factors
Behavior
Family Size
Contraception
Family Planning
Anthropology
Social Sciences