ERIC Number: ED047781
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1967-Jul
Pages: 61
Abstractor: N/A
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Marginal Children of War: An Exploratory Study of American-Korean Children.
Hurh, Won Moo
The nature and extent of the problems involved in the socialization of mixed-race children of American servicemen and Korean women is discussed. Observations and interviews find these factors significant in constituting the social marginality of such children: (a) the stigma of illegitimacy, (b) the mothers' undesirable occupational status (prostitution), (c) children's economic and educational deprivation, and (d) physical differences, expecially color of hair and skin. Amero-Korean children are racial hybrids, but not cultural hybrids, for they are socialized in the relatively homogeneous Korean culture and have no alternate course but to become part of the in-group. The often disastrous effect (of being racially hybrid) on children's self-image and emotional development is discussed. These children have rarely been adopted in Korea, largely because of cultural attitudes favoring kinship lineage and because of social apathy. A multi-dimensional solution to the problem is proposed, which involves an underlying attitudinal change on the part of the Korean people, integration of these children into society, pooling of welfare institution resources, and a stronger government role in child welfare. Tables are included of the status of hybrid children in Korea, and of intercountry adoption. (NH)
Descriptors: Adoption (Ideas), Child Welfare, Educationally Disadvantaged, Emotional Development, Government Role, Illegitimate Births, Korean Americans, Korean Culture, Minority Groups, Multiracial Persons, Poverty, Racial Discrimination, Self Concept, Social Bias, Social Problems, Socialization, Unwed Mothers
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Identifiers - Location: South Korea
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