Between Generations and Genders: Hmong Cultural and Language Preservation in the US

Rapid globalization continues to endanger minority languages and cultures, which serve not only as tools for communication but also as vessels of cultural identity, oral history, and traditional wisdom. This study investigates the gendered dynamics of cultural and linguistic preservation within Hmong American communities. Drawing on 32 survey responses, it analyzes patterns of language use, cultural practice, and shifting gender expectations across generations. The findings reveal that while traditional roles persist, men in ritual leadership and women in domestic and caregiving roles, these boundaries are increasingly blurred. Women emerge as central figures in intergenerational transmission of language and culture, often engaging more actively in diverse contexts beyond the home. The study also identifies a growing sense of shared responsibility between genders, reflecting evolving norms within the diaspora. However, challenges remain, including a gender gap in fluency, limited initiative for active language use, and changing participation in cultural rituals. These findings suggest both tensions and opportunities in sustaining heritage across generations. This research contributes to broader conversations about adaptation, identity, and inclusion in diasporic communities, highlighting how gender functions not just as a social role, but as a key lens through which cultural continuity is shaped.