Latina Migrant Mothers in South Korea and their Adaptation Strategies

Abstract

This thesis focuses on analyzing the narratives of 19 Latin American women migrants married, divorced or widowed to Korean men (i.e. Latina mothers) currently living in South Korea. It aims to explore how Latin American migrant women adjust to South Korean society. While some challenges such as limited access to secure jobs, social isolation, and language barriers are found through their experiences, they develop some strategies to cope with the difficulties faced in their process of adaptation. The research highlights the importance of social networks in the adaptation process, although South Korea's generally homogeneous society frequently makes it difficult to physically integrate into the local community, internet platforms offer a useful setting for communication, resource sharing, and cultural preservation. This study uses an ethnographic qualitative research approach to collect data by conducting in-depth interviews with participants who fulfill predetermined selection criteria. This enabled a thorough examination of the adaptation process in their narratives. Furthermore, it expands the narratives on cultural integration in homogeneous societies by concentrating on the adaptation experiences of Latin American mothers. Insights from this research aims to visualize this to South Korean policymakers on the necessity of culturally sensitive programs that address the unique needs of immigrant families, particularly Latina mothers. Keywords: Latina mothers, multicultural marriage, marriage migrant, acculturation, assimilation, multicultural policies, adaptation