재미교포 여성의 한국문화관과 통일의식

Korean-American Women's Attitudes toward Gender, Ethnic Identity, and Unification of Korea

The purpose of this study is two-fold. One is to examine Korean-American women's attitudes toward gender role, marriage, and family relations, as well as their ethnic identity and pride. The other is to examine the women's perceptions and knowledge about South and North Korea, and their perspectives on the unification of Korea, including its desirability, feasibility, major obstacles, challenges, and consequences. The study sample consists of 256 women of Korean descent, who were, at the time of survey, legal immigrants or citizens of the United States, 18 years or older, and who were residing in Los Angeles County, California. To increase the sample's representativeness of the study population, 30% of study subjects were randomly sampled from the people with the last name "Kim" listed in telephone directories, and the others were recruited at various sampling sites, including social, professional, and religious organizations, Korean markets, coffee shops, health clinics, beauty salons, colleges and universities. Using a structured questionnaire, data was collected through telephone interviews(30%), face-to-face interviews(20%), and self-administration of the questionnaire by respondents(50%). The demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the sample were similar to the 1990 U.S. Census data on Korean-American women and families. The average age of respondents was 37, ranging from 18 to 80 years old. Fifty-seven percent were currently married, and 33% were never married. While 89% were born in Korea, 51% were holding American citizenship. Of those born outside the U.S., about half(51%) immigrated to the U.S. in the 1980s, and 29% in the 1970s. The respondents, on average, had lived in the U.S. for 13 years. The majority(60%) were college graduates or had some college education, while only 7% had middle school or less education. About 44% were working full-time, and 21% working part-time. Among working respondents, including part-time workers, 25% had an average monthly income between $1,000 and $2,000, 22% between $2,000 and $3,000, and 14% had more than $4,000, while 27% had less than $1,000. The median monthly income of respondents' families was between $4,000 and $5,000. The study's findings suggest that many Korean-American women do not hold traditional Korean values concerning women's happiness, marriage, and family relations. In response to the question about what constitutes a happy life for a woman, only 16% of respondents indicated "being a good mother and good wife," traditionally defined roles and indicators of happiness for Korean women, while 67% answered "both being successful in society and being a good mother and wife." By pursuing multiple roles in and outside the family, many respondents seemed to have high expectations of themselves, and thereby imposing heavy burdens on themselves. Statistically respondents who conformed to the Korean traditional role of women were more likely married, non-working, significantly older, less educated, and had lower income. Similarly, only 25% believed that women must marry, another traditional value, whereas 70% indicated that marriage for women is not a must but a choice. Statistically significant variables for those holding tradtional value regarding marriage for women were marital status (married as opposed to never married), older age, lower educational level, and older age at the time of immigration to the U.S. Futhermore, a mere 4% agreed that only a son, even by adoption, should inherit the family line, conforming to the traditional norm and practice in the Korean family system. Almost half (47%) indicated that it is no longer important to continue a family tree, and 44% indicated that if there is no son, a daughter should inherit the family line. Similarly, only 4% agreed that for a married woman, living with her parents-in-law is natural and desirable, but living with her own parents is desirable only when inevitable, rejecting the traditiona