earticle

영어

This study aims to identify the motives of Cambodian marriage immigrants and their spouses in order to determine the factors that are needed for them to experience a successful marriage and a happy family life in Korea. This study’s findings have been achieved through in-depth interviews with 10 married Cambodian female marriage immigrants and nine of the women’s husbands. The following factors play a key role. First, the social environment in Cambodia is generally less developed than it is in Korea. Therefore, the immigrants tend to easily adapt to the advanced culture they encounter in Korea. Second, the patriarchal culture in Korea seems to be changing. Thus, Korean females are more respected now than they have been in the past. The Korean mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law appreciate their daughters-in-law and are trying to be more caring rather than treating them with prejudice that, in the past, had been leveled against foreigners. These factors help the Cambodian immigrants adapt to the Korean culture. Third, multicultural family support centers have become the place where these marriage immigrants learn about Korean culture and socialize with other immigrants. The husbands of these women actively participate in marriage counseling and family counseling, and they are also willing to understand the complexity of a multicultural society and the importance of family.