Possibilities and Constraints in Opportunity Structures: Filipina Marriage Immigrants’ Associational Lives in South Korea

• In Event: 3251 - Section on International Migration Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 8. Family Dynamics of Migration

Abstract

Immigrants’ participation in voluntary associations has drawn much scholarly attention in recent years. Yet, how marriage immigrants have formed their own associations and mobilize for their rights have been understudied. This study examines Filipina marriage immigrants’ voluntary associational experiences in South Korea to fill this gap. Drawing on multi-sited ethnographic research including 89 in-depth interviews and participant observations, this paper explores the process through which marriage immigrants form voluntary associations and what kind of resources and factors contribute to marriage immigrants’ involvement in voluntary associations. Our findings show that marriage immigrants resort to three different institutional settings--non-governmental (religious), governmental and transnational where they find possibilities and constraints in facilitating associational activities.

Authors

• Ilju Kim, Waseda University

• Minjeong Kim, San Diego State University