“Your life can be different, Young Ju. Study and be strong. In America, women
have choices.”1
Korean people tend to define women as wives, mothers, caregivers, or
just simply as girls, always with regard to their sexual behavior rather to their
individuality as a person. For over five hundred years Confucianism has been
the mainstream of Korean culture and tradition, setting the social role of
Korean women. Koreans still strongly believe in Confucian values, behave,
feel, and think in Confucian ways, despite the fact that Koreans, particularly
Korean Americans and specifically Korean American women, have
experienced new social realities and such social changes as modern
socialization, westernisation, Christianization, industrialization, and immigration
to the American socio-cultural setting.
The major premises for this paper are (1) a view on women in Korea and
Confucian values in Korean society. (2) What happens when a traditional
immigrant couple arrives in America and that a departure from traditional
roles often results in domestic violence. (3) The role of Korean children in
Korea and in America. These considerations build the theoretical background
for (4) an examination of a Korean American novel of a family experiencing
new social realities upon arriving in the United States.
The paper will show that the Confucian values are still dominating in
Korean American families and that a departure of the traditional family
setting is hard or impossible for single family members, especially for the men
who see their patriarchal authority over their wife and children erode. The
women begin to question the superior position of their husbands and children
experience a time of confusion and frustration for their parents often disagree
about new ways of raising them. This paper will also show that the problems
and examples given in the novel A Step from heaven by An Na are typical for
Korean American immigrants and that children are again the ones that suffer
the most.
1 Na, An: A Step from heaven. New York, 2000
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Women in Korea
- Confucianism of Korean Society
- Korean immigrant couples in America
- A departure from traditional roles
- Korean immigrant children in America
- A Step from Heaven
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the impact of immigration to the United States on Korean American families, specifically focusing on the evolving roles of women and the challenges faced by families navigating the transition between traditional Confucian values and American culture. It uses the novel "A Step from Heaven" as a case study to illustrate these challenges.
- The role of Confucianism in shaping traditional gender roles in Korean society.
- The impact of immigration on traditional family structures and gender dynamics within Korean American families.
- The challenges faced by Korean immigrant women as they adapt to new roles and responsibilities in American society.
- The experiences of Korean American children caught between two cultures.
- The use of literature (specifically "A Step from Heaven") as a lens to understand the lived experiences of Korean American families.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by outlining its central arguments. It establishes the paper's core premise: that Confucian values continue to significantly influence Korean American families, often leading to conflict when traditional roles are challenged by the realities of life in America. The chapter introduces the key themes of women's roles in Korea, the challenges faced by immigrant couples, and the experiences of Korean American children, providing a framework for the subsequent analysis of the novel "A Step from Heaven."
Women in Korea: This chapter delves into the historical and cultural context of women's roles in Korea, primarily focusing on the influence of Confucianism. It details the principles of Confucianism and its impact on the patriarchal structure of Korean families, emphasizing women's subordinate roles and limited autonomy. The chapter contrasts this traditional view with the modernizing influences and the improvements in women's status in contemporary Korea, while acknowledging that male dominance often persists in family relationships. The role of Confucian “three obediences” and “four virtues” are explained and their impact on women’s rights and agency.
Korean immigrant couples in America: This chapter explores the significant shifts in family dynamics experienced by Korean immigrant couples in the United States. The key focus is the departure from traditional gender roles, particularly women's increased participation in the workforce due to economic necessity. This shift creates conflict as couples navigate the tension between traditional expectations and the realities of American culture, where both partners often work outside the home. This section highlights the resulting challenges to marital harmony and role identity.
Keywords
Korean American families, Confucianism, gender roles, immigration, cultural adaptation, family conflict, patriarchy, women's rights, "A Step from Heaven," intergenerational conflict, Korean American literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper examines the impact of immigration to the United States on Korean American families. It specifically focuses on the evolving roles of women and the challenges faced by families navigating the transition between traditional Confucian values and American culture. The novel "A Step from Heaven" serves as a case study to illustrate these challenges.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the role of Confucianism in shaping traditional gender roles in Korean society; the impact of immigration on traditional family structures and gender dynamics within Korean American families; the challenges faced by Korean immigrant women adapting to new roles in American society; the experiences of Korean American children caught between two cultures; and the use of literature ("A Step from Heaven") to understand the lived experiences of Korean American families.
What is the role of Confucianism in the paper?
Confucianism is central to the paper, as it shaped traditional gender roles in Korean society. The paper explores how these traditional values, particularly the patriarchal structure and subordinate roles for women, conflict with the realities of life in America, where women often participate more in the workforce.
How does the paper analyze the experiences of Korean immigrant couples?
The paper analyzes how Korean immigrant couples experience significant shifts in family dynamics in the United States. A key focus is the departure from traditional gender roles, particularly women's increased participation in the workforce. This shift creates conflict as couples navigate the tension between traditional expectations and American culture.
What is the significance of "A Step from Heaven" in this study?
The novel "A Step from Heaven" serves as a case study, providing a lens through which to understand the lived experiences of Korean American families facing the challenges of cultural adaptation and intergenerational conflict.
What challenges do Korean American children face, according to the paper?
Korean American children face the challenge of navigating two distinct cultures – their parents' traditional Korean culture and American society. This can lead to intergenerational conflict and identity struggles.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of an introduction chapter setting the stage for the paper's arguments, a chapter on women's roles in Korea focusing on Confucianism's influence, a chapter on the changing dynamics of Korean immigrant couples in America, and mentions additional chapters covering Korean immigrant children and the analysis of "A Step from Heaven".
What are the key words associated with this academic paper?
Key words include Korean American families, Confucianism, gender roles, immigration, cultural adaptation, family conflict, patriarchy, women's rights, "A Step from Heaven," intergenerational conflict, and Korean American literature.
What is included in the "Table of Contents"?
The table of contents includes an introduction, sections on women in Korea (including the influence of Confucianism), Korean immigrant couples in America, Korean immigrant children in America, and a section specifically dedicated to the novel "A Step from Heaven".
What is the overall objective of the research presented in this preview?
The overall objective is to understand and analyze the impact of immigration on Korean American families, focusing on the evolving roles of women and the challenges of adapting to a new culture while retaining aspects of traditional Confucian values.
- Quote paper
- Johanna Niemann (Author), 2001, Korean American Families, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/17522
