Abstract
Korean immigration peaked in the mid-1980s, so that large cohorts of post-1965 immigrants are now approaching or entering retirement. As the baby boomer generation ages, few studies have examined how the lack of retirement savings and eldercare plans combined with cultural expectations such as filial piety may pose challenges for aging Korean immigrants and their adult children. This exploratory study examines attitudes and beliefs among 1.5 and 2nd generation Korean American adults regarding filial expectations and support for aging immigrant parents. In-depth interviews conducted with 124 adult children of immigrants show that their attitudes and beliefs around filial care were primarily motivated by feelings of gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility toward their parents. In addition, because Korean immigrant parents often face language and financial barriers, adult children were preparing themselves for future support of their parents’ finances, health care and long-term care needs. Although both adult sons and daughters expressed a desire to care for their parents, adult daughters often discussed in detail their concerns and worries about future care of their parents. The findings of this paper illustrate how the intersections of gender, culture, and class inform attitudes and beliefs regarding aging and family support among Korean American families.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by a Collaboration Minigrant for Multi-Campus Engaged Scholarship Initiatives Program from the California State University Office of Community Service Learning. We appreciate the editorial assistance of Allen LeBlanc and Emily Han Zimmerman. The authors thank all the study participants and the assistance of the following students: Kathie Ahn, Jeanelle Chang, Jason Chung, Enoch Kim, Yunchu Amy Lee, Man Ng, Margaret Rhee, and Jenny Suh.
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Yoo, G.J., Kim, B.W. Remembering Sacrifices: Attitude and Beliefs Among Second-generation Korean Americans Regarding Family Support. J Cross Cult Gerontol 25, 165–181 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-010-9116-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-010-9116-8