The Experience of Korean American First Born or Only Sons in the United States: Privilege or Burden?
Type
Text
Type
Dissertation
Advisor
Finch,Jeanne B. | Francis, Linda E. | Peabody, Carolyn G. Mar, Gary R.
Date
2011-12-01
Keywords
Confucianism and filial piety and Korean American men and first born or only sons, health and mental health of Korean Americans, Korean American males and stress and depression due to role expectations, preference for sons and role duties and conflict, qualitative study and Korean American males and first born or only sons duty to care for family and elderly parents, roles of Korean American first born or only sons burden or privilege | Social work Ð Psychology Ð Public health
Department
Department of Social Welfare
Language
en_US
Source
This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/11401/71270
Publisher
The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
Format
application/pdf
Abstract
Summary: Qualitative interviews were conducted to examine the dynamics of gender roles, tradition, culture, and parental expectations, often influenced by Confucian values, of Korean American first-born or only sons. Theories of stress, identity, and acculturation may inform how gender and status affect outlook on life, relationships, duties, career, and mental and physical health. Method: 47 Korean Americans, ages 18-40, of whom 35 were first-born or only sons, were interviewed. For corroborative data, 12 siblings (five younger brothers and seven sisters) were also interviewed. A semi-structured, open-ended, 25 question guide was used for interviews which were then recorded and transcribed. Results: Common themes emerged. First-born or only sons had privileges (e.g. more attention and respect) but there were stressors, burdens, sibling conflict, and duties tied to their roles. Traditional Korean cultural expectations were contrasted with " American" equivalents observed by participants in their non-Korean peers. Some perceived their role burdens as outweighing their privileges. Despite these burdens, however, many Korean American males were proud of the accomplishments that resulted from the pressure. They appreciated their parents' hard work to provide and to support their education and felt obligated to repay them by caring for them in old age. They also learned the value of family loyalty to care for family members. Some expressed gratitude for parents having high academic and career standards. Conclusions: Dynamics of tradition, culture, parental expectations, respondents' realization, acknowledgment, and acceptance of roles, are important to understand for the overall health of Korean American first-born or only sons and their families. Roles include privileges and burdens. Yet, among immigrant families, role expectations can result in a clash between traditional Korean values and American values in terms of what sons want and what parents expect. Given high expectations of first-born sons, an imbalance in the dynamics of burden/pressure vs. privilege/support may create stress. However, burdens and expectations can be mediated by status, respect, privilege, achieving success and pride when fulfilling parental expectations. This study highlights how assimilation and acculturation may be complicated among second generation immigrants when expectations of the old country are different from the new. | 177 pages
Recommended Citation
Kim, Heesoo Karina, "The Experience of Korean American First Born or Only Sons in the United States: Privilege or Burden?" (2011). Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions). 476.
https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/stony-brook-theses-and-dissertations-collection/476