ERIC Number: ED235347
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982
Pages: 137
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Capturing the Change. The Impact of Indochinese Refugees in Orange County; Challenges and Opportunities.
Baldwin, C. Beth
This study was conducted to determine the effects of the influx of 56,000 Indochinese refugees into Orange County, California between 1975 and 1982 and to make recommendations for integrating these people into the local labor force. In order to identify employer needs, characteristics of the refugee population, and the perceptions of both the refugee and nonrefugee populations, interviews were conducted with government and private agency personnel who work with Indochinese refugees and with private businessmen. In addition, characteristics and perceptions of 1,200 adult refugees and nonrefugees living in the county were documented. Among the findings were the following: (1) 39 percent of adult Indochinese refugees are unemployed; (2) although employers perceived the Indochinese as good workers, the language barrier was their greatest problem; (3) 65 percent of all Indochinese refugees in Orange County live in households supplemented by welfare, and 50 percent receive food stamps; (4) the overall opinion of Orange County residents toward refugee resettlement is equivocal: on the one hand, residents perceive the Indochinese as being hardworking and having high moral standards; on the other, refugees are considered to be a financial liability to the community. As a result of these findings, specific recommendations were made for involvement by educators, communicators, and voluntary agencies; for business involvement; and for reduction of community tensions. (KC)
Descriptors: Acculturation, Adults, Asian Americans, Cambodians, Community Attitudes, Employer Attitudes, Employment, Indochinese, Labor Needs, Laotians, Refugees, Relocation, Unemployment, Vietnamese People, Welfare Services
Publications Dept., Immigrant and Refugee Planning Center, 1823 East 17th St., Suite 103, Santa Ana, CA 92701 ($12.50).
Publication Type: Books; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Community
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Immigrant and Refugee Planning Center, Santa Ana, CA.
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A