The current study examined Asian immigrant wives? adaptation strategies to Korean family culture in Korea through individual interviews. The purpose of the study was to explore the role of immigrant wives? cultural in their adaptation processes to Ko...
The current study examined Asian immigrant wives? adaptation strategies to Korean family culture in Korea through individual interviews. The purpose of the study was to explore the role of immigrant wives? cultural in their adaptation processes to Korean family culture and to offer suggestions for supporting their cultural adaptation in Korea.
The participants included a total of 80 immigrant wives from five different countries: China (n=20), Vietnam (n=20), the Philippines (n=15), Cambodia (n=10), Mongolia (n=15). It consisted of multiple case studies through individual interviews with the participants.
The mean age of the participants was 29.5 and their mean age difference with their husbands was 13 years. In terms of their average educational background, there were more Vietnamese and Cambodian wives who did not complete their junior high school than other nationalities, whereas the majority of immigrant wives from China, Mongolia, and the Philippines had a high school diploma.
The findings of the study showed that the immigrant wives typically met their Korean husbands through official match making companies; however, since 2008 a growing number of immigrant wives were introduced by friends and family. During the course of introduction, it was found that incorrect information about each other was often provided (e.g., background, personality), which lead to many problems between husbands and wives as well as between daughter-in ?laws and mother-in-laws.
In the current study, following Berry?s acculturation theory (1997), four types of immigrant wives? cultural adaptation processes with regards to food, clothing and shelter were identified: assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization. Chinese and Mongolian wives showed the most integration patterns, whereas Vietnamese and Cambodian wives tended to assimilate. The Vietnamese and Cambodian wives showed that they take care of their new family, meet people from different backgrounds, and adjust to their Korean lives through assimilation.
In general, females from the Philippines and Mongolia have higher educational backgrounds, and their self-esteem is higher than those who are from other countries. Thus the results showed that immigrant wives from these two countries had a more difficult time in their marriage when they were asked to be submissive because of their traditionally expected roles as wives or daughter-in-laws in Korea.
The participants also ed a variety of activities that they have participated in and cultural adaptation strategies that they have used in order to maintain a successful marriage. For instance, they have taken Korean classes for at least one year.
They have participated in social gatherings (e.g., self-help groups) and gained insight into Korean culture from their family members, neighbors, and friends. Some immigrant wives got a job after participating in career development programs, and obtaining certificates.
Furthermore, immigrant wives? family members such as husbands and mother-in-laws have attended a variety of education programs organized by the Multicultural Family Support Center, and they have learned how to understand immigrant wives who came from different cultures. With regards to raising children, immigrant wives have attended bilingual programs and tried to teach both languages to their children so that their children can communicate with their parents and understand both parents? cultures.
The current study draws several important implications.
First, the findings suggested that forcing too many Korean social restrictions on these immigrant wives often prevents them from adapting to Korean culture. Instead their family members, neighbors, and community members need to encourage them to become active members of their respective family and local community.
Secondly, the results indicated that Korean husbands are often neither familiar with their wives? home cultures nor willing to learn about them because of their paternalistic upbringing. Such traditional beliefs only create more gaps between Korean husbands and immigrant wives who come from societies where females and males are seen as more equal than other cultures. Thus it is pertinent to provide cultural education to Korean husbands prior to their marriage in order to help them adjust to their wives? home cultures and understand gender equality. For instance, teaching them their wives? native language and marriage expectations would help them communicate with their wives more efficiently.
Thirdly, it was found that Korean proficiency is one of the most important necessities to immigrant wives when adjusting to Korean culture. Thus, at the beginning of their cultural adaptation, the government needs to provide at least 500 hours of Korean lessons as a part of government supporting programs. Furthermore, for those who have lived in Korea for more than three years, the government needs to promote career development programs so that they can become independent Korean citizens.
Fourth, local and national media need to educate Koreans to accept other cultures and help them get rid of stereotypes of immigrant wives. Fifth, one of the more recent issues centers on the importance of raising multicultural children in Korea. The government needs to provide appropriate bilingual education programs to these children in order to help them learn their mothers? and fathers? native languages and cultures. Such programs promote multiculturalism in Korea and also help these children strengthen their ability as global citizens.
Finally, at the personal level, it is important to facilitate self-help groups that follow clear objectives. Participants in these groups can have different nationalities or come from the same culture in order for them to provide support and share their experiences with each other. Furthermore, it is important to offer social opportunities such as voluntary work for immigrant wives so they can become effective contributors to society.
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