Ethnicity in the Process of Acculturation of Korean Australians: Focused on Family Life Patterns

Abstract

This article examines Korean immigrants' family life in terms of sex role and authority patterns. Many Korean families in Sydney and Melbourne have adhered to the traditional ideology regardless of their social and economic backgrounds. The male-dominant family life is often strengthened and justified by the ideology of the ethnic community. On the other hand, others have pursued an egalitarian family life due to women's economic participation and the influence of the new culture. This was more true for young Korean immigrant families. Different family lifestyles of Korean immigrants reveal the change and continuity of their traditional culture. Korean ethnicity waxes and wanes by different individuals, generations and sexes. Their ethnicity has negative meanings for some, whereas it has positive meanings for the others. Nevertheless, their common ethnicity has become a reference point, which enables them to interact with one another and to interpret old and new cultural settings. There is little doubt that, with the progress of acculturation, Korean Australians will experience more changes in family life. However, it is also clear that Korean ethnicity will continue to play an important role as a reference point which affects their family life.