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the country in terms of age, sex and ethnic origin. In choosing the first group, Finnish officials committed a minor blunder that they came to regret later: one half of the refugees admitted to Finland were
Vietnamese and the other half ethnic Chinese. Clear differences exist
between the two groups, starting from language, and cohesion may be hard
to achieve.
In choosing the group of disabled refugees, the officials plan to proceed in a way which will strengthen both ethnic groups evenly.
Gradually, Finland may get into U.N. statistics registering refugees
and countries receiving them. The minimum qualifying for inclusion in the statistics is 500 refugees admitted. Of European countries,
still falling short of the minimum are Iceland and the Soviet Union,
in addition to Finland.
One of Finland's excuses is its harsh climate which keeps appalling
the tropical refugees though they already have experienced threa Finnish
winters.
Resettlement from Vietnam and refugee camps causes a powerful cultural
shock to the newsoners in Finland. Disintegration of families and
concern about family members left behind are other significant factors.
For many adult refugees, it is very hard to realize that life has
changed permanently for them and that only two alternatives remin open to them: Finland or a refugee camp. Occasionally, this results in
a protracted state of depression and self-imposed isolation.
Authorities looking after the refugees have no intention of "Tinnicizing" the Vietnamese and the Chinese but the ground rules of Finnish society
umust be made clear to them.
The authorities assume that children and young people are more quick to learn Finnish norms than their parents. And, with the children being "Finlandized" more quickly, it may be that the adults will have to deal with Finnish society through their children. This will reverse the traditional order of values upheld in Vietnamese families become dependent on their children.
adults
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