Identity and Ethnicity: Issues Facing Second-Generation Korean American Adolescents and Implications for Ministry

Identity and ethnicity are the critical issues that second-generation Korean American adolescents are facing today. This paper intends to examine the critical issues surrounding identity and ethnicity among second-generation Korean American adolescents as well as draw valuable implications for Korean immigrant church ministry. For this purpose, first, the writer reflects on identity and ethnicity from a biblical point of view. Second, he briefly presents an overview and discussion of a theoretical basis related to the issues of identity, ethnicity, and ethnic identity. Third, he describes the experiences that second-generation Korean American adolescents may share in common in relation to both issues. Second-generation Korean American adolescents tend to have a more difficult time developing a positive sense of identity, compared to their white peers, largely because of the issues surrounding their ethnicity. Finally, the writer draws several implications for second-generation Korean American ministry in light of the discussion. He suggests two important directions, along with some specific ideas and activities, which Korean immigrant churches should consider for ministry to second generation Korean American adolescents. First, Korean immigrant churches need to help their youth appreciate their bicultural identity, encouraging these young people to develop a more integrative identity, while forming their Christian identity. Second, Korean immigrant churches need to help their youth to broaden their understanding of cultural differences and improve their multicultural competency through exercising proper attitudes and utilizing cross-cultural training programs or methods.