The thesis focuses on the social conditions of Hmong immigrants in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the factors concerning their migration, and their adaptation as well as the general social conditions of the ethnic migrants in America. The study results revealed that their migration stemmed from political factors, because the Hmong fought alongside American soldiers during the wars in Laos and Vietnam. When the war ended, the Hmong migrated from Laos to live in refugee camps in Thailand before being relocated to the third countries. Most of them were moved to America, scattering through 30 states but most concentrated in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The relocation to Wisconsin started in 1975, because the state was an important agricultural and livestock production center and the ethnic immigrants were basically farmers. Moreover, local geographical conditions include forest, similar to those in Laos. The state social welfare system enabled the ethnic group to have more education and to facilitate their settlement.
    
As for their relationship with local white people, it was found that the ethnic group has become more accepted than three decades ago. However, American people were not able to differentiate the Hmong from other Asian ethnic groups, because the ethnic group did not distinctly express their cultural identity, except in some states where the Hmong were more populous (p. 66).
    
However, in Eau Claire, some Whites were not satisfied with the provision of social welfare to the ethnic group, because the ethnic group practices the extended family system, refusing birth control and making working people pay more taxes for social welfare funds. This dissatisfaction was at times becoming so serious that bias and discrimination against the ethnic group were practiced. The ethnic group also practiced an isolationist lifestyle. Despite having lived in the area for over 30 years, the Hmong had not been completely assimilated into the mainstream society. Studies among the local Whites revealed that local White people had not fully embraced minority ethnic groups and racial discrimination was widespread. Nowadays, however, racism has been reduced significantly, as 25 Hmongs were married to local Whites (p. 73). On the issue of family relationships, it was found that there was misunderstanding between parents and children and that there was a cultural gap between them. Parents had problems communicating in English whereas their children were not proficient in their ethnic language. Communication between the two generations was getting less, as parents had to work outside and children were attending school and watching television when they came home. Attitude-wise, parents wanted their children to preserve their ethnic culture and beliefs, whereas the children were not spiritually bound to their ethnic culture, wanting to get away from their parents’ supervision. This family conflict resulted in social problems, bringing about gangsterism and suicides (p. 75). To solve these problems, the Eau Claire Society established a Hmong Cultural Center, organizing cultural and educational activities to cultivate the Hmong ethnic values into young Hmong (p. 76). Early immigrants had trouble adapting themselves into the mainstream society because they did not have knowledge of English, except those working for the US army or military officers. Moreover, there were those whose relatives had perished in the Vietnam War. These individuals believed that the Hmong must live in Vietnam and did not understand why they had to migrate to America. Thus, they were racially discriminated against by local people. Initially, they were verbally abused or physically assaulted over the past 30 years. Nowadays, the ethnic group has become more socially accepted (p. 86). Nevertheless, one problem has persisted. The Hmong have maintained the extended family system and have refused the use of birth control. Having large families has made many families poor and has made them dependent on state welfare and assistance (p. 87).