Examines the factors contributing to a rise in the number of Southeast Asian juvenile offenders in the United States and suggests culturally appropriate and effective interventions for service providers working with at-risk youth and their families. Southeast Asian and American cultures are so diametrically opposed that even intact, untraumatized families likely would suffer during the process of acculturation. The common stresses on Southeast Asian refugee youth and families include role reversals with parents due to children’s quicker mastery of the English language and American customs, lack of shared values and conflicts between old and new cultures, lack of parental guidance, lack of school and social success, and mental health problems that trigger compulsive behaviors. Intervention strategies can (1) help put parents back in the parenting role, (2) avoid alienating parent from child and reduce intergenerational conflict, (3) educate youth and families about the juvenile justice system, and (4) develop cross-cultural respect. Implications for the juvenile justice system include the need for specialized training on the dynamics of trauma, immigration, and acculturation within refugee families and for collaboration with community leaders to develop culturally appropriate interventions. Early identification of high-risk youth can lead to proper assessment, referral, and successful intervention.
