Civic Engagements of Koreans in the Washington D.C. Area

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Through forty-two in-depth interviews this exploratory study examines how Koreans in the Washington, D.C. area make meaning of civic engagement, and use religious social capital in the process of civic engagement. The findings suggest that the interviewees have been actively engaged in civic activities. However, the motivation and opportunities for civic engagements were through the church. With local church’s resources (such as staff, budget, space, and equipment), they were able to engage in active civic engagements that were in line with their faith. Yet, because these activities were considered religious and as most of the first generation interviewees were educated in Korea, considering themselves not familiar with the American system, they perceived their actions to be non-civic engagements. Such perception contributed to them having low-attitudes toward civic engagement. Moreover, church-centered activities were found to have contributed to them having limited knowledge about civic engagements.