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Between two worlds in Asia: Korean youth in Singapore

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Abstract

Migration within Asia has increased dramatically in recent years; however, very little is known about how Asian immigrant adolescents adapt to their new Asian environments. The present study explores the processes of acculturative stress and identity formation among Korean adolescents living in Singapore. Using focus group discussions among 17 Korean adolescents, the study finds five overarching themes on acculturative stress and identity formation: feeling superior but separated; peer pressure to keep being a Korean; less stress in speaking English; more stress in learning another language; Chinese, pride that ‘I am a Korean’, and multiculturalism. The study findings emphasize the role of context of reception as important in understanding the acculturative stress and identity development of Korean adolescents in Singapore. The implications for quantitative research are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 55 Tampines AVE 1 #0602 The Tropica, Singapore, 529773, Singapore

    You-Jin Chung

  2. Department of Social Work, FASS, National University of Singapore, Block AS3, Level 4, 3 Arts A5 Link, Singapore, 117570, Singapore

    Jayashree Mohanty

Authors
  1. You-Jin Chung
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  2. Jayashree Mohanty
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Correspondence to You-Jin Chung.

Appendix: Guideline for focus group interview

Appendix: Guideline for focus group interview

  1. 1.

    Stresses they have experienced in bicultural context (Singapore)

    1. 1.1

      Peer relations

      • Have you ever experienced any troubles with your friends because you have different ethnic background (Korean)? If yes, what is it?

      • Have you ever experienced any pressures that your friends want you to act like Singaporean kids? What is it?

      • Have you ever experienced any pressures that your friends want you to act like Korean kids? What is it?

      • What do you think is being Singaporean? Or how do you feel when your friend says you look like Singaporean?

      • What do you think is being Korean? Or how do you feel when your friend says you look like Korean?

    2. 1.2

      Family relations

      • Have you ever experienced any troubles with your family members, especially with your parents, because of differences between Korean and Singapore culture? What is it?

    3. 1.3

      Bilingualism

      • Have you experienced any difficulties related to English? If yes, what is it?

      • Have you experienced any difficulties related to Korean? If yes, what is it?

      • Do you think you should speak English better? Why?

      • Do you think you should speak Korean better? Why?

    4. 1.4

      Daily living

      • Have you experienced any trouble at your school because you are a foreigner (or immigrant)? If yes, what is it?

      • Have you experienced any trouble in your daily life because you are a foreigner (or immigrant)? If yes, what is it?

  2. 2.

    How they define their ethnic identity

    1. 2.1

      Have you ever thought about your ethnic identity?

    2. 2.2

      What do you think about which ethnic group you belong to? Why?

    3. 2.3

      How do you feel which culture—Korean, Singapore or Others—is most comfortable with you? Why?

    4. 2.4

      When do you specifically think you are Korean? Why?

    5. 2.5

      When do you specifically think you are Singaporean? Why?

    6. 2.6

      When do you specifically think you are Korean Singaporean? Why?

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Chung, YJ., Mohanty, J. Between two worlds in Asia: Korean youth in Singapore. J Pop Research 31, 219–235 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12546-014-9130-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12546-014-9130-8

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