But in a more specific way to the Korean culture, this also illuminates the particular difficulty of retaining a valued heritage while finding ways to gain greater cultural comfort in the United States. Kim-Rupnaw (2001) points to this as promoting a tension not just between Koreans and other ethnic groups in the U.S. But of further challenging the cherished unity of Korean communities themselves. For many younger Koreans who recognize the value in adopting some aspects of the western cultural identity, there is a mounting sense of disconnect from those from prior generations who have sought to maintain distinct elements of the Korean culture and its attendant philosophies. Thus, Kim-Rupnaw reports on this disconnect that such is the natural product of the sharply differing value systems of Americans and Koreans. Of the latter, Kim-Rupnaw notes, "they have strong ties to family, and value education, hard work, and ambition to excel. Commonly cited virtues in traditional Korea include filial piety, respect for elders, benevolence, loyalty, trust, cooperation, reciprocity, and humility (Hur & Hur, 1999). These traditional values are often challenged, however, by younger generations influenced by western culture." (Kim-Rupnaw, 1)
That said, evidence also suggests that the strong family structure and sense of spirituality which permeate Korean-American culture do help to bring compromise, if not harmony, to this mounting generational divide. The research by Kang et al. (2010) points out in a survey of college-age Korean students, "findings suggest the possibility that narration of positive change is a culturally salient process by which many Korean-American emerging adults come to terms with early family challenges." (Kang et al., 441) This is to suggest that in spite of the cultural differences which are emergent amongst younger Koreans, culturally and ethnically defined communities and customs promote a continued...
As the research also points out though, ensuing generations of Korean-Americans are finding more and more in common with their western counterparts. Ultimately, it seems likely that several more generations in the United States will erase many of the cultural barriers which make psychological adjustment difficult for so many in the United States. However, for Korean-Americans, close contact with others of their ethnicity is an important way of preserving the unique identity made by the merging of Korean and American experiences.
References
Carey, W.P. (2006). Take Off Your Shoes and Ask for Slippers: Integrating Corporate Culture in Global Business. Arizona State University.
Chang, E.T. (1998). Toward Understanding Korean and African-American Relations. Organization of American Historians.
Cresswell, J. (2008). Cultural Differences. Ask-ETO Recruiting.
Danico, M. (2006). Korean-American Diaspora: Transcending Cultural Boundaries. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Montreal Convention Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Hani. (2006). Koreans who come to U.S. As children face language, cultural barriers. The Hankyoreh.
Kang, H.; Okazaki, S.; Abelmann, N.; Kim-Prieto, C. & Lan, S. (2010). Redeeming Immigrant Parents: How Korean-American Emerging Adults Reinterpret Their Childhood. Journal of Adolescent Research, 25(3), 441-464.
Kim-Rupnaw, W.S. (2001). Asian Culture Brief: Korea. Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information…
