Assimilation: The Drawbacks of Cross-Cultural Misunderstandings

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The author of the book, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures, Anne Fadiman exhibits a story about the collision between two cultures and the way things affected the character’s lives. The main character, Lia, is found grasped in a dilemma within her family’s culture and the American lifestyle. Since a baby, Lia suffered form epileptic seizures, which were viewed as a positive trait for the Hmong community; those people who suffered from seizures were credited to be a twix neeb, in other words, “a person with healing spirit” (Fadiman 21). Lia’s parents Mr. and Mrs. Lee, were having a difficult time comprehending the seriousness of the epilepsies that Lia was suffering from. Her parents had never been exposed to Western medication; therefore, it was very difficult for them to understand the procedures that needed to be completed in order to save Lia’s life. Fadiman enhances her opinion in regards to the situation by stating, “I have come to believe that her [Lia’s] life was ruined by not septic shock or noncompliant parents but by cross-cultural misunderstanding.” Cross-cultural misunderstanding is indeed; the main cause for unsettled immigrant lives in new countries, such as Lia’s family. In order to enhance a successful life at a new country, the Lees needed to adapt and understand American culture into their own lives.

Adaptation is very important when trying to pursue a new living with new set of customs and beliefs. The Lee family formally arrived to America after being persecuted at their native country Laos. Living in America as refugees was not their personal decision, but was necessary in order to escape the war occurring at their native home and...

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...ed the health of Lia. Unfortunately, the Lee family had trouble understanding the cultural disparities, which led to cross-cultural misunderstanding. “Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family”- Anthony Brandt.

Works Cited

Brandt, Anthony, “Power of Love Quotes: A Reflection on Power of Love.” Relationship Advice for All. N.p. n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2012.

Fadiman, Anne. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures. New York: Farrar, Stratus, and Giroux, 1997. Print.

Jensen, Derrick. The Culture of Make Believe. New York: Context, 2002. Print.

Walters, Kate A, and Faith P. Auton-Cuff. “A Story To Tell: The Identity Development of Women Growing Up as Third Culture Kids.” Mental Health, Religion & Culture 12.7 (2009): 755-772. Academic Search Premier. Web. 3 Feb. 2012.

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