Cho- Interdisciplinary Study On Kor

2013·13.3 MB·English

by  Cho, Inhyo

Interdisciplinary Study on Korean Kirogi Mothers’ Adjustment:
A Practical Theological Framework for Pastoral Care and Counseling
A Dissertation
presented to
the Faculty of
Claremont School of Theology
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
by
Inhyo Cho
May 2013
©2013
Inhyo Cho
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This dissertation completed by
Inhyo C ho
has been presented to and accepted by the
faculty of Claremont School of Theology in
partial fulfillment of the requirements of the
D octor of Philosophy
Faculty Committee
K. Samuel Lee (Chair)
Kathleen J. Greider
Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook
Dean of the Faculty
Philip Clayton
May 2013
Abstract
Interdisciplinary Study on Korean Kirogi Mothers’ Adjustment:
A Practical Theological Framework for Pastoral Care and Counseling
Inhyo Cho
This dissertation is a study of the Korean Kirogi phenomenon, especially of
Christian Kirogi mothers’ adjustment issues in the United States. The Kirogi
phenomenon is a growing issue in Korean immigrant communities and churches in the
U.S. Kirogi mothers emigrate from Korea with their children, leaving their husbands
behind in Korea, to obtain better educations for their children in English-speaking foreign
countries. This is a relatively new and unique social phenomenon in Korea. Thus, very
little literature exists in the fields of theology, pastoral theology, feminist pastoral
theology, or cognate fields related to Kirogi Christian mothers’ experiences.
Using a mutually critical correlational approach to practical theology, this
dissertation draws on phenomenological research methods, employing the qualitative data
analysis program, NVivo 10, to describe Kirogi mothers’ current experiences and
meanings. I conducted semi-structured interviews with fourteen Korean Christian Kirogi
mothers and investigated how Korean culture influenced these women’s decisions to
become Kirogi mothers and how they experienced Kirogi life, especially their difficulties
in adjusting to a new culture, the prejudices they encountered, and their experiences of
parenting as single mothers.
The Kirogi mothers’ experiences were examined from an interdisciplinary
perspective, taking into consideration the uniqueness of each woman’s experience, to
equip churches and caregivers to hear and understand the concerns of Kirogi mothers,
especially their adjustment issues. This method provided insights into the real-life
experiences of Kirogi mothers in interaction with the theoretical resources of psychology,
theology, and cultural contextual studies. The findings of this study are used to create a
practical theological framework that will enable pastoral caregivers to understand the
meanings of Kirogi mothers’ experiences and to contribute to the development of
effective care that nurtures and empowers them.
Acknowledgements
As I complete my Ph.D. work, I’d like to give my greatest appreciation to God for
giving me His guidance, wisdom, and strength to make my dreams come true. It is He
who opened the doors, closed some others, and guided me in His plan without a hitch
throughout this journey.
I would like to share my gratitude for my three dissertation committee members. I
appreciate my chair, Dr. K. Samuel Lee, for inspiring me to research the Kirogi
phenomenon and for his support, trust, and encouragement to complete this dissertation. I
also thank him for challenging me to practice scholarly accurateness and develop my
counseling abilities by providing valuable insights and helpful internship sites during my
residency at The Clinebell Institute throughout my Ph. D. program. I want to express my
appreciation to Dr. Kathleen Greider for her encouragement, insights, and keen advice in
the completion of this dissertation and throughout my doctoral program. I also thank her
for helping me grow academically and challenging me to express my voice and develop
my critical thinking abilities. I will not forget her contributions to my professional and
personal growth. I am grateful to Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook, who accepted my request
to serve on my committee and who offered insightful advice for my paper and her warm
support. I also thank her for recommending many Korean resources and helping me focus
on the spirituality of Korean Kirogi mothers. In addition, I would like to express my
gratitude for Dr. Bill Clements, who served as my advisor before he retired and
graciously served as a committee member for my qualifying examinations during his
retirement.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all my colleagues at Claremont and the
staff whom I have known throughout my doctoral program for their friendship and warm
support. Especially, I thank Chuhye Choi who offered me consistent friendship
throughout this lonely journey. I am thankful to Vicki Wiltse, who proofread my papers
during the whole program, and to Ruth Min, who helped translate my Korean verbatims
into English. I also thank Betty Clements, who helped me with the style of my
dissertation as my thesis secretary; Leslie Rusch, the International Student Advisor; and
Jennie Allen, the Registrar.
I am very grateful to my parents, who inspired me to study theology after I got
married and to study abroad by offering continuous encouragement, prayers, and
financial support. I would also like to express appreciation to my brothers and their
family.
Finally, I feel most grateful for my beloved husband, Kyung Geun Lee, and my
two children, Eunsun and Byoungchan. I appreciate my husband’s love, prayers, and
patience. He has taken care of all household duties and traveled a lot during our Kirogi
separation. I also appreciate my two children, who came along with me to the U.S. when
they were young and grew personally, academically, and spiritually.
Table of Contents
Pages
Chapter
1. Introduction ...............................................................................................................1
The Problem ...............................................................................................................1
Thesis..........................................................................................................................5
Method........................................................................................................................6
Contributions and Related Literature ........................................................................7
Audience......................................................................................................................8
Definitions of the Terms............................................................................................8
Scope and Limitations .............................................................................................10
Outline of Chapters..................................................................................................11
Literature Review......................................................................................................12
Traditional Korean Women’s Roles and Status..............................................13
Korean Immigrant Women’s Adjustment.......................................................16
Pastoral Theological Care and Counseling for Korean Immigrant Women..21
2. Korean Cultural Contexts of Kirogi Mothers.........................................................36
Social Background...................................................................................................36
Historical Background..............................................................................................43
Cultural Background.................................................................................................48
The Korean Immigrant Church in the U.S...............................................................56
3. Methodology.............................................................................................................63
v
Method 64
Data Collection..........................................................................................................71
Demographics............................................................................................................73
Data Analysis.............................................................................................................74
Trustworthiness.........................................................................................................76
Hermeneutical Frameworks......................................................................................78
Feminist Practical Theology...........................................................................79
Relational Cultural Theory.............................................................................88
4. Findings.....................................................................................................................97
Reasons for the Decision to Leave Korea...............................................................97
Family Dynamics.....................................................................................................105
Kirogi Mothering.....................................................................................................118
Facing Challenges...................................................................................................124
Factors Supporting the Maintenance of Kirogi Life..............................................131
Constructing Meaning............................................................................................138
Roles of the Korean Immigrant Church................................................................146
Mothers’ Theological Views of Family Separation..............................................155
Summary of Findings.............................................................................................158
5. Discussion................................................................................................................171
Discussion of Findings through the Lenses Relational Cultural Theory..............171
Discussion of Findings through the Lenses of Feminist Practical Theology 194
Conclusions............................................................................................................219
A Practical Theological Framework for Pastoral Care and Counseling..............225
Strategies for Pastoral Care and Counseling.........................................................229
Limitations of the Study.........................................................................................232
Appendices..........................................................................................................................235
A: List of Categories and Properties......................................................................235
B: Informed Consent ....................... 237
C: Korean Kirogi mother’s Questionnaire............................................................241
D: Research Plans..................................................................................................244
Bibliography........................................................................................................................246
vii