Social Exclusion and Church in the Experiences of Korean Migrant Families in Christchurch

Abstract

This article documents the experiences of new migrant families from

Phonological Skills in Korean-English Bilingual Children: Phonetic Inventory and Segmental Accuracy

“…The majority of the KEB children in the current study were exposed to English in their home environment but to varying extents. Although we did not directly measure the English language proficiency of their parents, Korean adults in New Zealand generally have poor English skills [58,59] and have even been identified as being least competent in everyday use of English among all ethnic groups in New Zealand [60]. Exposure to non-dominant language at home environments may have little or no influence on production of error patterns in bilingual children, if the source of exposure to the non-dominant language is the parents who are not dominant in that language and therefore are not able to provide a robust model for bilingual children to learn and differentiate phonological systems [61,62].…”

Korean migrants' experiences and attitudes towards mental illness and mental health services in New Zealand

“…Morris et al (2007) suggest such findings are due to Korean churches in New Zealand providing more than just a spiritual community, they function as a social community helping new Korean migrants settle into life in New Zealand.…”

“…Morris, Vokes, and Chang (2007) noted that Korean migrants newly arriving in New Zealand often found cultural and language differences challenging, and Korean migrants' lack of English proficiency presented as a key barrier when adjusting to life in New Zealand.…”

‘Here we go again’: Christchurch's antiracism rally as a discursive crisis

“…2006). A study by Morris et al (2007) in Christchurch found that experiences of discrimination among Korean migrants in particular have led to increased reliance on the ethnic‐based church to provide support, ironically reinforcing a cultural milieu distinct from the surrounding society.…”

“…Asian immigrant experiences include difficult access to labour markets, discrimination in access to goods and services, and neighbourhood discrimination in their everyday interactions with the long settled (Butcher et al 2006). A study by Morris et al (2007) in Christchurch found that experiences of discrimination among Korean migrants in particular have led to increased reliance on the ethnic-based church to provide support, ironically reinforcing a cultural milieu distinct from the surrounding society. Spoonley and Trlin's (2004) in-depth analysis of media representations of recent migrants shows that the discursive public context for the integration of Asian immigrants has occurred since the early 1990s in a deeply politicized atmosphere that positions those opposed to immigration, who treat the 'Asian-vasion' as a threat to New Zealand society, and those who view immigration as a positive economic boon, or who call for expansive cultural accommodation and understanding as New Zealand becomes more culturally diverse.…”