The Korean American community is bound by values that are derived from the Confucian ethos. From their perspective, education, hard work and family unity are the pillars of the Korean American community (Abelmann and Lie 163). Based on their Confucian values, Korean Americans tend to place tremendous pressure on their children to succeed academically in school. Living as an extended family, family members are available to help one another in times of strife. They also look up to religious leaders for guidance (Dean 319).
Furthermore, the Korean American community believes in hard work and commitment. For example, the grocer owners featured in these writings all work long hours every day of the week in order to maintain their business. Through their long and arduous hours, the Korean Americans hope to achieve economic prosperity and elevate themselves in the economic and social hierarchy. Thus, the traditional Korean American immigrants uphold the social status quo and the capitalist system and do not endorse changing the social system social justice (Abelmann and Lie 155). Proud and independent, the Korean Americans will not go to the government for welfare even when they face economic crises. Instead, they turn to their relatives and the community for assistance (Abelmann and Lie 164). As an extension of the family structure, the Korean American community provides its members with a stable support network by pooling their resources together (Abelmann and Lie 164).
The writings highlighted in the Reader indicate that linguistic and cultural proficiency offers great potential for Korean immigrants to succeed. For the most part, the bilingual Korean Americans are able to attain a middle class standard of living. For example, in "Tasting America," Park who is well-versed in English and American culture through his early interaction with the American Army forces depicts a positive experience of living in America. Starting with a gr...