A Critical Realist Inquiry into the Emergence of Co-Ethnic Preference among ​ Korean New Zealander Youths​

Abstract

This paper explores the development of social identity and acculturation experiences among 1.5- and second-generation Korean New Zealanders, focusing on their tendency to associate with co-ethnic and other Asian peers during their secondary and tertiary education. As an ethnic minority with distinct physical traits, they encounter challenges in preserving their ethnic identity and heritage. This leads to the formation of a unique social identity as they respond to acculturative stress.

We gathered thirty in-depth interviews, comprising twenty 1.5-generation and ten second-generation participants who attended New Zealand schools since their primary education and are now young adults. Critical realism serves as a methodological framework for analysing the causes of the observed relational patterns.

The findings reveal that participants tend to associate with co-ethnic and other Asian-background peers in their secondary and tertiary school days. This inclination is attributed to their shared empathy, which was often unattainable with white New Zealander peers who often emphasize their cultural differences. Participants struggled to balance their desire to belong to the majority peer group and their awareness of their minority status, stemming from their physical appearance and ethnic heritage. Acculturative stress prompted some participants to assimilate into the dominant culture, sacrificing their ethnic identity and cultural practices. These individuals were sometimes labeled as white-washed by other co-ethnic peers. On the other hand, connections with co-ethnic or other Asian peers served as a protective zone, helping participants navigate the challenges of being between cultures while recognizing their Korean identity and heritage.

The study highlights the importance of close relationships with co-ethnic or other Asian peers for Korean New Zealander youth in creating a supportive environment that buffers against acculturation stress.