Immigrant life and work involvement: Korean men in Australia1

Abstract

The most significant aspect of Korean immigrant men's life has been centred around their work involvement. It goes without saying that in the process of leading immigrant life in a new country, Korean men suffered from individual deficiencies such as lack of English as well as from structural discrimination. Economic recession also had an adverse impact on the immigrant life of Koreans, especially skilled and business migrants. The case of Korean men in Australia suggests that structural constraints in a given society appear to be in strong effect and individual agents have only limited room to exercise their will. However, the levels of expectations which different immigrant categories of Korean men had also affected their life and work involvement. Amnesty migrants were well prepared to do any labouring work available to them regardless of their levels of qualifications. Their readiness to do menial work and relatively favourable Australian economy enabled them to buy their own homes in a relatively short period of time and to start small businesses. However, skilled and business migrants had different expectations from and attitudes towards their immigrant life. Skilled migrants have rarely utilised their expertise and qualifications. The majority of them are involved in manual work. Business migrants are frequently involved in ‘unwanted long sports holidays’.