A Phenomenological Study of Korean Mothers' Parental Beliefs and Educational Goals for Young Children

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Korean Educational Narratives: Negotiating Identity, Learning, and Activism

Abstract

The present study explored Korean mothers’ perspectives regarding their parenting experiences and the ways in which they shape parental beliefs and educational goals for their young children. The study utilized the social constructivist approach, and the qualitative data analysis of individual interviews with 30 Korean mothers residing in the U.S. indicated that they primarily employed the cultural expectations of their country of origin (South Korea). In addition, both the traditional values of Confucian¬ism and a belief in the importance of qualifications required by competitive modern society, especially mastering English as linguistic capital, were interwoven in the participating mothers’ parental goals. The two views that were prevalent among Korean parents have both conflicting and additive associations.

Authors

• Soyeon Park, San Francisco State University

• So Jung Kim, The University of Texas - El Paso