The Cultural Difference and Generation Gap in Multicultural Minority Families

Abstract

This study investigates the understanding of cultural differences and generational gaps arising in multicultural families and to analyze what the role of Christian education is in helping them. Today, multicultural families in the Republic of Korea are increasing rapidly. According to the Ministry of Public Administration and Security (2009), there are 1,106,884 immigrants and foreigners who are living in the Republic of Korea. This is 2.2% of the total Korean population and a 48.5% increase as compared with the year of 2006. All immigrants experience cultural shock in encountering cultural differences as they come to a new land and atmosphere. They usually feel the impact of a new culture in a new circumstance. Some apply themselves to a new culture appropriately, but some of them do not do well as they try to adjust to their new culture. Children adapt to a new culture more easily than adults. There is a conflict between generations in multicultural families, caused by the generation gap as well as by a different culture. Teens are struggling with two different cultures: one is their inner culture, which their parents have been engaged in, and the other is their outer culture, in which they are involved in daily life. Teenagers adapt more quickly to new cultures than their parents. And teens prefer to follow the new culture rather than what their parents have followed. They probably avoid the self-conflict to accept two cultures. They seem to cope by understanding less of the previous generation’s culture and tradition because they live in a new culture. They don’t feel any necessity to understand. This study will attempt synthesize and analyze a body of literature that should be familiar to educational leaders. First, it will explore the understanding of cultural differences in multicultural minority families. It will review the concept of multicultural minority families and the cultural discontinuity they experience. It will also examine multicultural parental involvement and barriers preventing multicultural parents from participating in education. Next, this study will provide a foundation for Christian education for cultural differences and the generational gap. It will explain the function of education in the faith community for intergenerational conflicts. It will also study interpersonal communication skills as a teaching method for this issue. Then it will discuss how people learn from each other and role of Christian educator.