Transnational Family Networks of Multicultural Families and Related Policy Implications

The lives of migrants and their family members are closely related to a number of broad connections spanning from the destination society to the country of origin. The prospects of multicultural families, including the families of marriage migrants and of naturalized immigrants, are not limited simply to Korean society, but extend to and are closely related with migrants’ country of origin. This study surveyed a total of 534 marriage migrant women from China (including ethnic Koreans), Vietnam and the Philippines on general aspects of their transnational family networks, care support from their homeland for the birth or raising children, future family invitations, plans to return, attitudes, values, and experience of discrimination. The results of the analysis showed that a significant number of multicultural families show characteristics of transnational families who live an environment in which family members transit and exchange economic resources and emotions across borders. Also, changes in the family cycle of homeland families will also effect the directionality of transnational family networks. In order to address the current situations and project the futures of multicultural families, it is critical to hold a transnational perspective, including on relationships with homeland family members.