Southeast Asian refugee youth in the United States must contend with significant cultural differences and long-term adjustment stress. While struggling to develop an adult identity, these adolescents must also work through the trauma of being refugees, adapting to a new culture without relinquishing the heritage fundamental to their development.…

Challenges the "model minority" stereotype, and discusses the multitude of obstacles facing Chinese-American students in New York City that impede their success in school. Social service gaps are identified, and a new framework of system delivery is offered to address the problem of this special population. (GLR)