“One man, one life, one marriage”: A qualitative analysis of Hmong women's divorce experiences

Abstract

Despite the rising divorce rates in some immigrant communities in the US, there has been scant scholarly attention on how immigrants experience divorce, particularly on the role of culture in the divorce process. The primary goal of the present study was to explore the diverse divorce experiences of Hmong immigrants in the United States. As a patrilineal and patriarchal community, divorce is generally frowned upon, with Hmong women often experiencing shame and stigma. A narrative design with nine Hmong women was used to capture their intricate stories that highlight such experiences. Using a thematic analysis, our findings highlighted the complexity and cultural nuances the women in our sample encountered from initiating divorce to the divorce itself: (1) No wants a divorce, (2) Divorce is the “last straw”, (3) Varying divorce pathways, and (4) Navigating systems as a Hmong woman. For those who have increased knowledge of both the US American court system and divorce laws along with the traditional Hmong mediations, they may be more equipped in navigating systems. Yet as Hmong divorce practices are performed by Hmong men, Hmong women may struggle with finding their voice or support needed to advocate for their divorce. In such cases, the US court system may be more appealing in assisting their cause (e.g., custody). Professionals working with such communities should be culturally aware and attuned to the different marriage and divorce practices to understand both cultural and legal barriers for those seeking a divorce.

A special section: Contributions of family science to anti‐racism efforts

“…All papers illustrate ways in which family science mores and tenets can inform, guide, and actualize anti-racism efforts. Her et al (2024) present nuanced accounts of the experience of divorce from the perspectives of Hmong immigrant women living in the United States and situate those experiences relative to the meaning and customs of family, marriage, and divorce in Hmong culture. The authors illustrate how divorce is a culturally laden process deeply impacted by the norms and customs of communities.…”