Korean Youth of the 1.5 Generation in New Zealand Talk about Their Parents’ Expectations and Attitudes

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to describe the expectations that 1.5 generation immigrants perceive their parents expectations for them and their future. The researcher interviewed the experiences of twelve young adolescents who immigrated to New Zealand between the ages of 6 and 12. The researcher used a semi-structured interview to allow participants to freely discuss their experiences while staying true to the aims of the research. The study was conducted in Christchurch, New Zealand. The interviews were recorded on audio, transcribed and analysed. Each transcript was coded and themes were extracted from each interview. Similar themes were grouped into categories which were then discussed as part of the results. The most common expectations reported by participants were in the areas of education and high academic achievement. The effects of these expectations varied as participants grew older and the length of time residing in New Zealand increased. The results are discussed and also compared to studies of 1.5 generation immigrants in the United States. Finally, the implications of this study are discussed, and the relevance of the results to the well-being of the 1.5 generation in New Zealand are suggested.