This study has been carried out August to November 2011 in a way of qualitative research utilizing a hermeneutic grounded theory and making as the subject of the research the six homes of married migrant women and their mothers-in-law living in rural ...
This study has been carried out August to November 2011 in a way of qualitative research utilizing a hermeneutic grounded theory and making as the subject of the research the six homes of married migrant women and their mothers-in-law living in rural areas in order to look into factors and processes of conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from multicultural families. Since previous studies had the limitation of having a valid result from the lack of profundity of the distinct characteristic and the complex conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. this study has significance in light of understanding factors and processes of conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law occurring in the household mentioned above through face-to-face in-depth interview (In-depth Interview) and find solutions to them.
The factors found through the study of the conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from multicultural families are as follows:
Firstly, different cultural backgrounds are a fundamental cause of the conflict. The different cultural backgrounds caused economic problems and communication difficulties and led to the conflict of their roles and life based structure. From the viewpoint of mothers-in-law, they have expressed such dissatisfaction as poor cooking skills of Korean dishes, displeasing way of housekeeping and impolite attitude. From the viewpoint of married immigrant women they experienced such conflicts as poor communication, food, geographical climate and a different way of lifestyle and values from those of mothers-in-law. Secondly, the interference of Mother-in-law exacerbates the conflict of marital relationship. Because of the influence of traditional patrilineal society, mothers-in-law standing on the side of their son volunteered to be eternal supporters of their own free will and poured their affection as if they are a legendary faithful wife. if conflicts between couples arise, mothers-in-law unconditionally tried to discipline daughters-in-law. Where contemporary trend is emphasizing couples equality and wants a couple-oriented life, mothers-in-law's excessive interference and admonition have been worsening the relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Thirdly, the power of mothers-in-law has been transferring to daughters-in-law. Married immigrant women who sunk into atrophy psychologically because of difficulties in communication in early marital life, express their opinions to their mothers-in-law since as time goes by their language skills are getting improved. Daughters- in-law keep no longer their complaints and broken heart in their mind and adhered to say whatever they want to say. Thus mothers-in-law live a life in a heavy worries in conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law due to different daughter-in-law's attitude from that in the early marital life. Therefore, in 180 degrees different situation, mothers-in-law are making a life in internal and external troubles and the power and status of mothers-in-law have been transferring to daughters-in-law. Fourthly, a support system for mothers-in-law from multicultural families is necessary. Whereas married immigrant women have been taking advantages of a variety of family and community support systems, public support system for self-development and social services and enjoying their lives despite regional limits of rural areas, there are neither family and community support systems for mothers-in-law and nor a way to bridge cultural differences, thus, mothers-in-law feel isolated in conflict situations. Therefore, it is important to facilitate a variety of educational programs in the community easily accessible in order to form a positive relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law and the mothers-in-law's learning will be cornerstone to understand daughters-in-law and to build up a positive relationship.
As the time goes by, the process of conflicts along with the factors of conflicts are as follows:
Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law started out as a family with a different marriage motives. Whereas mother-in-law accepts foreign daughter-in-law as the alternative because the son is not likely to marry a Korean woman, daughter-in-law chooses an international marriage with the expectations and fantasies about Korea. Therefore daughters-in-law feel frustrated because of the low monthly income of their spouses and at the same time the difficulties in communication and the conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law of cultural differences arise originated from different cultural backgrounds. Mother- in-law repeats the admonition and instructions or verbally abuses and conflict is amplified since daughter-in-law does not properly perform the role as expected and greater compensation does not occur. After- wards, the conflict crisis reaches its peak after proficiency in Korean of daughter-in-law is improved and their negative feelings to their mother-in-law is directly expressed. Due to aggressive behavior of daughter-in-law, mother-in-law suffers psychological atrophy and copes conflicts with 'seemingly smile'. Mother-in-law's superficial strategy using soft words and deeds leads to daughter-in-law's efforts to improve their relationship superficially, which is a strategic acceptance by the operation of a common ideology that both of them do not want the breakup of the family. Conclusively since the conflicts themselves continue even if the conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law outwardly do not occur, the relationship is seemed to be a reserved avoidance situation and at any time the relationship can be worsened in a situation of confrontation.
|
