Left to Right:Eric Boyd, District Director of Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, Hyepin Im, President & CEO of KCCD and Rev. John Park, President of Council of Korean Churches in Southern California.
On May 28th 2008, KCCD hosted a press conference announcing the findings of its research report on "State of Korean American Marriages." This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families.*
Hyepin Im, KCCD President, stated,"We're pleased to be sharing our findings of this report which will help to dispel the prevailing image of Asian Americans as the model minority. This report reveals the various hidden problems and sources of tensions within Korean American marriages, and identifies the marriage education and family support needs and gaps in service within the Korean American community, particularly those needs that are specific to Korean Americans' distinct cultural and immigration experience. As one example, in-law problems was listed 2nd in challenges for Korean American marriages."
Rev. John Park of Council of Korean Churches in Southern California who is a partnering with KCCD in the Healthy Marriae Initiative stated, "This study shows so many Korean American families and marriages are experiencing difficulty with over 43% stating that in their immediate families, there has been divorce. Yet, it is also ironic and demonstrates the culture of shame is so strong by over 90% of the survey participants stating that they all have happy marriages. Thankfully, the Council of Churches is pleased to be partnering with KCCD to provide resources and tools to empower our families and marriages through marriage education. We look forward to working KCCD to certify many pastors and church leaders to make marriage education available to their congregations and communities."
Eric Boyd, District Director of Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, stated, " This study is really alarming, it surfaces so many areas of progress, not just for the Korean community but for our society in general...The Senator is in favor of preventative measures so if these numbers are showing that 48% of the people know somebody personally who needs help in their marriages, we really need to have more marriage education".
The full report and recommendations and strategies for building healthier marriages and families within the Korean American community is posted on KCCD website as well as on the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center. (www.kccd3300.org)
*Data collection for the preparation of this report was supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration of Children and Families (ACF), through the Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building program. The findings and conclusions are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of HHS or ACF.
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 Top Source of Conflict in Korean American Marriages
1. Financial
2. In-Law Challenges
3. Infidelity
4. Domestic Violence
Culture of Shame: Personal vs "Other"/Need for Marriage Education
90% stated they have healthy marriage. However, 43.1% answered yes to "In my immediate family (parents, siblings, children, spouse), there has been divorce. "
81% said "Most Korean families could use some marriage/family education courses."
Identified Skills to Improve Marriage
1. Improved communication skills (44%)
2. Marriage skills (25%)
3. Anger management skills (19%)
4. Financial management (10%).
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 Respondents were most interested in learning more about:
1. Parent Child Relations (31%) 2. Marriage Strengthening (25%)
3. Finding the Right Mate (15%)
4. Domestic Violence (9%)
5. Anger Management (4%)
6. Communication (3%)
Reasons for Not Taking Marriage Education
1. Don't know of available programs (51.5%)
2. Don't think they need marriage education (20.5%)
Attractive Marriage Education Features
1. Low Cost (48.8%)
2. Childcare (21.8%)
3. Online classes (18.7%)
90% of Pastors were willing to Partner in Providing Marriage Education Classes
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Supporting Comments from Marriage Education Leaders
"This report validates our great optimism about the campaign to strengthen marriage in the Korean community. The breadth and depth of KCCD's work is an example for all the rest of us to follow." Diane Sollee, Founder and Director, Smart Marriages
"My own experience has brought to me more Korean American families with troubled marriages than I ever thought possible. I wondered why. This report has been such an eye opener. It illuminates the causes of distress and the opportunities for response and prevention. It is a remarkable report. Thanks so much. I will use it and use it."
Mary Ann Swenson, Resident Bishop, Los Angeles Area, The United Methodist Church
"The State of Korean American Marriages is a fabulous document based on carefully researched information and results that are expressed with intelligence and clarity. I am full of enthusiasm and the desire to help this most worthy community to experience happier lives and bring happiness to future generations. This document gives me the tools to be able to address the true needs of Korean American families. This community contributes so much to our society! We need to contribute to them."
Cloe Madanes, President, The Robbins-Madanes Center for Strategic Intervention
"Great Report! A masterful job that you have done. We keep thinking with ME that one size fits all. What a huge mistake. This report is a comprehensive study of the Korean Family and Marital Relationships. This reports points out the need for an active intervention in the Korean family that will emphasize its strengths while dealing with the specific challenges this culture faces. We continue to minimize the traumatic effects of immigration and integrating into the American Culture. Korean American families exemplify the face of trauma in making the move to the US. For example, the elevated levels of smoking in Korean youth could be explained by this challenge. A recent study showed that smoking among the young is related to trauma. Immigration is a trauma and its effects last beyond one generation."
Carolyn Curtis, Executive Director, Healthy Marriage Project, Sacramento
"It is very important to me, as a curriculum developer, to make Mastering the Mysteries of Love RE culturally appropriate for each of the cultures who use it. That task has been made a hundred times easier for the Korean community by this study. From reading it I can be more deeply empathic to the needs of Korean couples and can make adjustments as I work with Korean marriage educators to match couples' needs. Much of this I would not have known without this study. I wish every cultural group I work with could do the same thing!"
Mary Ortwein, Co-author of Mastering the Mysteries of Love Relationship Enhancement
"I believe this is a masterful in-depth survey and analysis of Marriage matters within the Korean American population that is reported in cogent, vibrant and compelling ways. This research helps Marriage Educators better understand many complex and compelling problems within Korean American marriages and will enable the promise of Marriage Education to reach its full potential within the Korean American communities of America."
Patty Howell, Ed.M.,A.G.C., Vice President of Operations and Media Relations, California Healthy Marriages Coalition
"The report on The State of Korean American Marriages provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing Korean American marriages along with the context for understanding these issues, and, most importantly, recommendations for effective interventions. In doing so, KCCD is helping to educate the general population as to the hidden plight of Korean American families that are distressed by the process of immigration and adaptation while also bringing hope to those who struggle under the stigma of believing that they are the only ones dealing with these issues. The report also provides a wealth of information by combining existing census and research data with new research that both confirms and expands the current knowledge base on Korean Americans. This report should be an invaluable resource for anyone who is interested in better understanding the growing Korean community in the United States." Ruth H. Chung, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Program in Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Southern California
"KCCD has done an amazing job of putting together a thorough, in-depth, ground-breaking report which will help educate and sensitize marriage educators who desire to develop ME curriculum and resources for Korean American couples. The unique cultural needs and the great lack of resources to meet them are unpacked in a way that challenges and motivates the reader to action. From our previous experiences of working with Korean couples both in Korea and in the USA, we are even more committed to expanding our resources for Korean American churches and communities. The amazing statistic that 70% of Korean Americans attend church points to how strategic it is to get culturally and linguistically sensitive resources that are low-cost, face-saving, fun, and couple-friendly to local churches. Two thumbs up to KCCD for such a thought-provoking and revealing look at Korean American marriages today!"
Claudia Arp & David Arp, MSW - Founders & Directors, Marriage Alive & authors, 10 Great Dates®
"This is a significant report in providing understanding and building up Korean American families. As the report states, Korean American families who are mostly immigrants are not easy to understand. There are multiple challenges and factors including generation gaps between the first-generation and the second-generation, cultural differences between those who are Westernized and those are who recent immigrants, differences in moral values between those who are religious/spiritual and those who are non religious, self-esteem issues related to social/economic achievement, and a sense of inferiority amongst other barriers. KCCD has worked effectively to develop the Korean American community on several levels. I am praying that not only Korean Americans but also all families in the US can overcome the various obstacles and be filled with ultimate joy and happiness."
Rev. Richard S. Shin, President of the Council of Korean Churches in Southern California
"This report is required reading for anyone who cares at all about understanding and strengthening marriages in the Korean American context. "The State of Korean American Marriages"uniquely combines a careful research perspective with helpful and practical insights. Since reading it, I have significantly improved my understanding of the influences upon the couples at my church as well as my own marriage, and how to most effectively minister to them to strengthen their marriages given these influences. I commend KCCD for providing such a valuable report."
Rev. Michael Lee, Senior Pastor, Young Nak English Ministry
I am delighted to see KCCD generating comprehensive data about Korean American marriage status. Contrary to "the model minority" label by the mainstream culture which either makes Asian Americans unnecessarily visible, or invisible, the direct interviews from the community makes the report much more authentic. Although through word of mouth, the reported data has been wide-spread, the hard data has been absent. This report will put the silenced pain on the map and access rightful resources and services for the neglected in our midst. I deeply appreciate KCCD's hard work in generating the crucial need assessment and also offering strategies to assist culturally relevant marriage education. Many people have benefited from the leadership of KCCD through housing issues, and now the strengthening of marriage will build stronger community which in turn will build a stronger nation. I thank God for your leadership that transforms our community and beyond.
Rev. Young Lee Hertig, Ph.D., Vice President/Southern California Regional Director, of ISAAC (Institute for the Study of Asian American Christianity), The Chair of AAWOL (Asian American Women On Leadership) |
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